Ovum adoption programme.

The programme is designed for women who want to become mothers but, for various reasons, do not have their own egg cells. Thanks to in vitro fertilisation with donor cells, they can give birth to a child and enjoy the pleasures of motherhood.

There are several indications for the use of IVF with donor egg cells. One of them is the woman's age, which determines her fertility. It is important to remember that the later one decides to have a child, the less likely it is to become pregnant naturally. By the age of 35, women lose 88 per cent of their egg cells. After 40, they only have about 3 per cent.

A woman's fertility is assessed by checking her ovarian reserve. This is determined by testing the level of AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone). Sometimes the results can be difficult to accept. A woman has already reached an age that does not allow her to become a mother or the function of her ovaries has ceased too early. This is then referred to as early menopause, which can even affect women around 20 years of age.

If tests show that a woman no longer has her own ova, all is not yet lost. The chance for her to have a child is to adopt another woman's egg cell. The cell of a young, healthy donor is fertilised in vitro with the sperm of a partner or donor. The resulting embryo is then placed in the uterus of the infertile woman to continue to develop as in a natural pregnancy. The procedure resembles a normal gynaecological examination. Beforehand, the woman undergoes hormonal stimulation so that her body prepares to receive the embryo and pregnancy.

More and more infertile women are taking advantage of the Oocyte Adoption Programme. These include oncology patients whose illness has stood in the way of motherhood. Realising the dream of having a child is possible, even though we often think otherwise. That is why it is worth going to the doctor and checking your chances.