Donor-egg IVF cost in the Czech Republic

In vitro fertilization (IVF) using donor eggs is the fertility treatment of choice when a couple is unable to achieve pregnancy using the woman's own eggs.

Turning to donor-egg IVF

The main causes why a couple may need to use donor eggs are:

• Poor egg quality and/or quantity associated with advanced maternal age
• Premature ovarian failure or early menopause
• Presence of genetic diseases likely to be inherited by offspring
• Repeated failure of previous fertility treatment cycles

When donor eggs are used, IVF treatment is shared by two women, which is to say, the donor and the intended mother or recipient.

Thus, the donor undergoes the first phase of the treatment, which involves ovulation induction and later egg collection. Then, the embryo transfer is carried out on the receiving woman, pending embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy.

Costs of egg donation

Among other aspects which are related to egg donation, Czech law 227/2006 sets out that it must be an altruistic act. This means that selling eggs is strictly forbidden.

In spite of that provision, an economic compensation may be given to the donor for any inconvenience caused and the potential expenses derived from the process.

Such economic compensation plus the cost of the medications prescribed to the donor for ovarian stimulation and surgery for egg retrieval are the reasons why donor-egg IVF is more expensive than IVF using own eggs.

Costs of egg donation in the Czech Republic

Egg donation costs in the Czech Republic usually range from €3,000 to €5,000. Nonetheless, this price range is merely an estimation and may vary from clinic to clinic according to the services offered.

Price range for egg donation

When it comes to considering or comparing prices between fertility clinics, one should keep in mind which aspects are included within the egg donor program and which don't. The following are among the most important ones:

• Type of cycle: in general, fresh cycles are more expensive than frozen donor eggs, mainly owing to the complications derived from the synchronization between the donor and the recipient.
• Fertility drugs prescribed to the donor for ovulation induction.
• Fertility drugs prescribed to the recipient for endometrial preparation prior to embryo transfer.
• Vitrification of spare or unused embryos.
• Expenses derived from accommodation and flights in cases of foreign patients.
• Type of IVF (conventional or ICSI) and the need to use additional techniques such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

The following phases of the process are also crucial: procedures involved and screening of potential donors, as well as each one of the options included in the price announced. Do not forget to ask them for what is not included in the general quotation for the egg donation program before making up your mind.

Some fertility clinics offer all-inclusive packs for egg donation or pregnancy guarantee programs including an additional cycle without additional cost in case previous cycles have been unsuccessful.

Although these plans are more expensive—around €4,600-7,000—, they offer a new chance in case you have not achieved pregnancy previously.