Third Party Reproduction 101

Building a family is a deeply personal journey, and for some, third party reproduction is essential for their path to parenthood. Dr. Jamil Mroueh, a reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF, breaks down the key aspects of third party reproduction, focusing on donor eggs and gestational carriers, which involve the assistance of someone other than the intended parents in the process of conceiving or carrying a child.

What is Third Party Reproduction?
Third party reproduction involves using donated eggs, sperm, embryos, or a gestational carrier to help individuals or couples have a child. This approach is essential for people who cannot conceive naturally or carry a pregnancy. Below, we discuss two main methods: donor eggs and gestational carriers.

Donor Eggs
Donor eggs allow an individiual who cannot conceive with their own eggs to use donated eggs to achieve pregnancy. This option is often recommended for people with:

• Premature ovarian failure (early menopause)
• Genetic disorders they wish to avoid passing on
• Age-related infertility, where an individual's eggs are no longer viable
• Same-sex male couples seeking to build a family

How Does Utilizing Donor Eggs Work?

The donor egg process begins with selecting a donor, who undergoes a thorough medical and psychological evaluation to ensure their suitability. Donors are typically between the ages of 21 and 34, as younger people generally provide higher-quality eggs.

The process involves the donor receiving hormone treatments to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then retrieved in a minor procedure and fertilized with the sperm of the intended parent or a sperm donor. Once fertilized, the embryos are either transferred to the intended parent, the gestational carrier, or frozen for later use.

Fresh vs. Frozen Eggs
At Boston IVF, intended parents can choose between using fresh donor eggs or purchasing frozen eggs from an egg bank. Both have pros and cons and so it is important to discuss options with your care team.

Gestational Carrier
Utilizing a gestational carrier is another form of third party reproduction where a person, known as a gestational carrier, carries and delivers a child for another couple or individual. With a gestational carrier, the carrier has no genetic connection to the baby; the embryo is created using the intended parents' or donors' eggs and sperm and is transferred to the carrier's uterus.

Who Needs A Gestational Carrier?
A gestational carrier is often recommended for people who:

• Have medical conditions preventing them from carrying a pregnancy (e.g., heart disease, uterine conditions)
• Have undergone a hysterectomy or were born without a uterus
• Have had multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles despite healthy embryos
• It is also a common option for same-sex male couples who wish to have a biological child.

The Gestational Carrier Process
Partnering with a gestational carrier involves several steps, including legal agreements, medical screening, and psychological counseling. The carrier undergoes hormone treatments to prepare their uterus for embryo transfer, after which the fertilized embryo is placed into their uterus. Throughout the pregnancy, the carrier receives prenatal care, just like any other pregnancy.

Ethical Considerations in Working with A Gestational Carrier
Working with a gestational carrier brings up complex ethical issues, including concerns about the carrier's well-being and the potential for exploitation in commercial arrangements. At Boston IVF, both intended parents and carriers are carefully screened and counseled to ensure that all parties are informed, comfortable, and protected throughout the process.

Long-Term Outcomes
Families created through donor eggs, donor sperm, donor embryos, and/or gestational carriers generally have positive psychological and emotional outcomes. Studies show that disclosure of donor conception to the child at an appropriate age is associated with healthier parent-child relationships and better psychological well-being for all involved.

At Boston IVF, we provide comprehensive support for families considering third party reproduction, including legal guidance, psychological counseling, and state-of-the-art medical care. If you're considering using donor eggs, donor sperm, donor embryos, and/or a gestational carrier, we’re here to help guide you through every step of the process.