Every day, Fertility specialists face the noble task of guiding courageous women through one of the most personal and challenging journeys of their lives: their road to motherhood
In this article, the team at Vida Fertility help us gain a better understanding of ovarian reserve and it’s relation to egg donation.
A particularly difficult decision arises when, after several unsuccessful IVF cycles, we must consider the possibility of egg donation. In this article, we will explore how and when this decisive choice is made, focusing on the importance of an accurate medical diagnosis, and why, in some cases, egg donation is not only an option, but new beginning full of hope and happiness.
The Reality of IVF
IVF is often the indicated treatment for many women or couples facing fertility problems. However, its success depends on several factors, including the woman’s age and the quality of her eggs. As a woman ages, the quality and quantity of her eggs decline, which can result in failed IVF cycles. At Vida Fertility, each case is carefully evaluated to understand the underlying causes of these failures.
For patients, it is a time of deep reflection, where hope is intertwined with fear, and the desire to become a mother sometimes requires giving up a genetic link to their future child. Dr Spies, medical director of Vida Fertility, explains: “At this delicate crossroads, my role is to provide not only a medical expertise but also an empathetic support, understanding that each woman is unique in her journey towards motherhood”.
The crucial assessment of the Ovarian Reserve
A key stage in any assisted reproductive journey is the assessment of the ovarian reserve. In women with low ovarian reserve or poor oocyte quality, IVF cycles may not be successful. At Vida Fertility, the specialists perform a series of tests to determine the quantity and quality of eggs available in a woman’s ovaries. These tests are critical to guide treatment decisions, including the transition from IVF to egg donation.
1. Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): this blood test measures the levels of anti-Müllerian hormone, which provides an indication of the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries. Low AMH levels may indicate a reduced ovarian reserve.
2. Antral Follicle Count (AFC): Using transvaginal ultrasound, we count the number of antral follicles present in the ovaries at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. This count provides a direct estimate of ovarian reserve.
3. Hormones FSH and oestradiol: Measurement of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol on the third day of the menstrual cycle can provide additional information about the ovarian function. Elevated FSH levels or abnormally low or high levels of oestradiol may indicate a decrease in ovarian reserve.
These tests, combined with clinical assessment of factors such as the woman’s age, her medical and reproductive history, allow Vida Fertility specialists to provide accurate and personalised counselling. Understanding ovarian reserve is crucial not only to determine the likelihood of success with IVF, but also to identify those women for whom egg donation may be the most promising path to motherhood. “If the results suggest a low probability of success, it is our duty as specialists to present alternatives,” Dr Spies adds.
The Choice of Egg Donation
Egg Donation becomes a viable option when a woman’s own oocyte reserve does not offer a realistic chance of pregnancy. Egg Donation not only increases pregnancy success rates in cases of poor oocyte quality, but also allows women to experience pregnancy and childbirth. In addition, the technology and donor selection methods ensure the compatibility and health of the donated eggs.
Kathi (Dr Spies ^^) comments: “This choice is not an easy one. It involves giving up the genetic connection to the future child, a significant step that requires consideration and emotional support. It is what we call in our world, ‘genetic grief’. At Vida Fertility, we are there to help women and couples who make this decision with all the necessary information and support”.
The Emotional Journey to Egg Donation
Thus, the decision to move from IVF to Egg Donation is both medical and emotional. For some women, it represents the acceptance of a biological reality and the beginning of a new journey towards motherhood. The prospect of becoming a mother remains at the heart of this journey, but the path to that goal may take a different direction. Other women will never come to accept that path to motherhood, and that is just as respectable. Whatever it is, the decision a woman makes for herself is always the right one.
Read more from Vida Fertility:
Navigating Your Fertility Journey, By Dr. Spies and Dr. Santiago
