Before your doctor can prescribe an IVF treatment using donor eggs, you, your partner (if applicable) and your potential egg donor must follow the steps outlined below. The Checklist for Directed Egg Donation, will also help you navigate these steps. Please be aware that the entire process leading up to the transfer of an embryo can take 6-12 months.
STEP 1. RECIPIENT - Preparation for the egg donation process
All patients participating in third-party reproduction must consult with a psychologist. The psychologist's role is to provide support throughout the decision-making process, ensuring you are well-prepared for the journey ahead.
Both you and your partner (if applicable) must be present at the consultation.
Following your initial appointment at the MUHC Reproductive Centre, we invite you to schedule a session with a psychologist who specializes in third-party reproduction.
If prescribed, you and your partner (if applicable) will need to repeat baseline investigations or other tests. These tests must be completed before your follow-up consultation with the physician.
Information Guide for Donor Egg Recipients (coming soon)
Price List - Additional fees may be charged, including fees for intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching (AH) or other procedures, as well as embryo freezing. Prices do not include the cost of your medication and the cost of the donor’s medication.
Refund Policy
Please note that your donor will receive the following information:
- Instructions for the Egg Donor (coming soon)
- IVF Treatment Information
- Pharmacies and injection teaching videos
STEP 2. RECIPIENT - Follow-up consultation with the physician
This consultation will be to review your egg donation options, using either an egg bank* or a known donor (directed egg donation). Further tests might be necessary in preparation for the treatment. If you are 45 or older, your doctor will request the following:
This test is done without an appointment at the Glen Site:
1001 Decarie Blvd.
Electrocardiogram
1st Floor of Block C, Rm. C 01.3418
Monday to Friday – 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bring the test requisition to your appointment.
See the list of Designated Screening Centres
Bring the test requisition to your appointment.
This consultation is done by appointment at the Glen Site:
1001 Decarie Blvd.
Obstetrics Clinic
6th floor Bloc C, Rm. C 06.5218
We will fax the requisition.
*If you choose to use an egg bank, the next steps do not apply. Instead, view the Using a Donor Egg Bank - FAQs.
STEP 3. RECIPIENT - Inform your egg donor to open a file at our clinic
We will need to open a file for your donor. Kindly ask her to complete the Registration Form and return it by email to [email protected] In the subject line of the email, she should write NEW PATIENT FILE FOR EGG DONOR.
STEP 4. EGG DONOR - Initial consultation with the physician
This consultation will be to provide the egg donor with information on what egg donation entails, the responsibilities of being an egg donor, and the potential risks associated with treatment. The necessary appointments, tests and forms will be explained at this time.
In addition to the baseline vaginal ultrasound, your donor will do blood and urine tests to assess her ovarian reserve, hormone levels and screen for infectious diseases. She will be asked to complete a questionnaire on infectious, genetic and lifestyle risks: Initial Screening Form
Your egg donor will need to book a consultation with the psychologist. Typically, the recipient covers the associated fee.
STEP 5. EGG DONOR - Follow-up consultation with the physician
This consultation will be to review the results of initial tests and screening. If no further tests are required and we have received your donor's signed documents (Egg Donor Consent, COVID-19 Consent, Initial Screening Form), you and your donor will be added to the egg donation waiting list.
Please allow 1-2 months for a nurse to reach out with additional instructions. In the meantime, you may proceed with step 6.
Step 6. RECIPIENT - Follow-up consultation with the physician
This consultation will be to review the potential risks associated with using eggs from your donor, based on the initial screening.
Please print, complete and sign, and bring the following documents to the appointment:
- In Vitro Fertilization Consent for Egg Donation Recipient
- COVID-19 Consent
- RAMQ Undertaking Form – If RAMQ eligible - you must print, complete and sign one form for yourself and one for your partner (if applicable).
- Refund Policy (if not RAMQ eligible)
An additional form, Preliminary Communication of Risk (Read-Only PDF), will be jointly signed, by you and the physician, at the time of your appointment. Please ensure that you have taken the time to read this document before your scheduled appointment.
Step 7. RECIPIENT - Payment
If you are eligible for RAMQ coverage, you and your partner (if applicable) must complete the RAMQ Undertaking Form.
For information regarding the eligibility criteria, please visit the government website Quebec.ca
If you have questions regarding eligibility or insured services, please contact the RAMQ.
When you are ready to pay for treatment, please send an email to [email protected]
Required information for making a payment (to be included in your email):
- Your hospital card number OR your full name and date of birth
- Treatment for which you are paying
For any requests for payment over the phone, the Accounting Office is available to take your payment on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please email us your availability for those days and hours.
Please note that you can always make a payment in person at the clinic at the reception from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Step 8. EGG DONOR - Calendar preparation
The nurse will plan the treatment calendar with your egg donor based on her menstrual cycle and our availability. This will provide you with a more accurate estimate of the egg collection date. See Sample Egg Donor Calendar.
Once you know the estimated egg collection date, call to book a follow-up appointment to see your physician approximately 2 weeks after the egg collection. This appointment will be to plan the embryo transfer.
Step 9. EGG DONOR – Pre-Donation screening visit
Before starting the IVF treatment, your egg donor will be required to make one more visit to the clinic. This visit entails a physical examination, repeated blood and urine tests for infectious diseases and a Pre-Donation Screening Form.
Step 10. EGG DONOR – Start of IVF treatment
In general, the IVF treatment takes 10-14 days. On the day of egg collection, the eggs retrieved will be mixed with sperm. Your partner will therefore need to provide a semen sample on that day. If using donor sperm, ensure that the sample has already arrived at the clinic. Any resulting good-quality embryo(s) will be frozen (cryopreserved) until the Frozen Embryo Replacement Cycle (FERC) is planned for you.
Step 11. RECIPIENT - Follow-up consultation with the physician
This consultation will be to review the potential risks associated with using eggs from your donor, based on the most recent screening. A medical order for a frozen embryo transfer (FERC) will be added to your file.
Please print, complete and sign, and bring the Frozen Embryo Replacement Cycle (FERC) Treatment Consent to the appointment:
If you have not submitted all the forms listed in Step 6, please print, complete and sign, and bring the missing document(s) to the appointment.
An additional form, the Communication of Risk (Read Only PDF), which is based on the most recent screening, will be jointly signed by you and the physician, at the time of your appointment. Please ensure that you have taken the time to read this document before your scheduled appointment.
Step 12. RECIPIENT – FERC calendar
The nurse will schedule a treatment calendar based on your menstrual cycle and our availability. This will provide you with a more accurate estimate of the embryo transfer date.
In general, the Frozen Embryo Replacement Cycle (FERC) treatment takes 18-25 days.
We look forward to planning your treatment.
Last Updated: October 15, 2024