Dr Elias Tsakos MD, FRCOG Chairman & Medical Director EmbryoClinic IVF, Greece
“Important factors in choosing an Egg Donor”
Dr Elias Tsakos
• UK trained Gynaecologist – Fertility Specialist
• Fellow of Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, London
• Member of BFS, ESHRE, ASRM • Board member of Association of Greek Fertility
Specialists
CV & “conflicts of interest”
Fertility Tourism
• Care • Success rates • Short(er) waiting time • Cost • AVAILABILITY • LEGISLATION
Why abroad
Do your Homework
• Internet - Blogs • Support groups • Reviews – testimonials • Success rates
IVF Abroad top tips for a safe & successful journey
SEEK RELIABLE INFO
• ESHRE, www.eshre.eu • GP • Ask your local Gynaecologist / Fertility Specialist • Ask your Fertility Sister • Organisations eg Families through Surrogacy
Initial visit
• Meet the Gynaecologist who will be treating you
• Visit the operating theatre and the IVF laboratories
• Meet the Embryologists
How to choose a Fertility Clinic top tips for a safe & successful journey
Homework
• Learn the basics (ICSI, blastocyst culture, time lapse, etc)
• Available treatments • Level of information, communication,
coordination • Cost (caution !) • Success (caution !)
IVF Abroad top tips for a safe & successful journey
Contact “potential” units (1-2 max)
• Complete forms • Skype interview with treating Gynaecologist Vs administrator / coordinator • Assess : expertise, communication,
availability, honesty, respect compassion / care
IVF Abroad top tips for a safe & successful journey
Initial visit
• Meet the Gynaecologist who will be treating you
• Visit the operating theatre and the IVF laboratories (not just reception and exam room)
• Meet the Embryologists & Nurses
IVF Abroad top tips for a safe & successful journey
Success rates
• Read and compare statistics eg for your age group • Logical explanation(s) for the high success rates ? E.g.: level of Staff experience, intense diagnostics, 7 day / week operation, senior scientific team,
infrastructure of lab, success-boosting techniques,
intense cycle monitoring
IVF Abroad top tips for a safe & successful journey
Top tips
• Do your homework • Visit the potential IVF Clinic • Meet the treating Team • Take time to reflect • Trust your instinct
IVF Abroad top tips for a safe & successful journey
Important factors in choosing an Egg Donor
1) Anonymity 2) Age (& other egg quality markers) 3) Compatibility 4) Cost 5) Other
Important factors in choosing an Egg Donor
ANONYMOUS Vs OPEN DONOR Altrouistic Anonymous Vs Open ? Commercial Europe Vs United States Impact of Open Donors on : availability
age compatibilty success cost future implications
Important factors in choosing an Egg Donor
AGE (& other egg quality markers) Age Fertility record Donation record AMH
Important factors in choosing an Egg Donor
COMPATIBILITY Physical
Biological Psychological
Personality Educational / Professional
Genetic Other (? Star Signs)
Important factors in choosing an Egg Donor
COST
Full Donation Mini Donation Undefined Donation (?) Egg Sharing Basic Vs Extended Profiles (?) Basic Vs Extended Screening
Important factors in choosing an Egg Donor
OTHER Fresh / Frozen Eggs Fresh / Frozen Sperm Fresh / Frozen Embryos Local or Transported Eggs
• Anonymous & Altruistic Egg Donation • Surrogacy Legally permitted & protected • Licensed & Regulated IVF Clinics • Established Fertility Tourism Destination • High success rates • Affordable costs • Easy Access
Greece