Madison

Third Party Options

The use of donor sperm is historically the oldest “third party” technique for it was first described in the 19th century. The widespread availability of donor eggs followed the development of minimally invasive non-surgical ultrasound-guided ovum retrieval technique in the late 1980s. The Alta Bates Donor Egg Program has recruited anonymous compensated donors since 1991. Donor eggs have extended childbearing to women who otherwise have little if any chance of conception because their ovaries do not function (How Do We Test Ovarian Reserve, What Is Age Factor?)

Gestational surrogacy provides a reproductive option to women who lack a uterus, have severe uterine disease or for whom pregnancy is medically too risky. At the Alta Bates program, we do not offer elective surrogacy to women who are “too busy” to carry a pregnancy themselves.