Through the generosity and altruism of donors and surrogates, donor conception and surrogacy can provide important pathways to parenthood for individuals and couples, including those experiencing infertility, same-sex couples, and solo parents.
If you are unable to use your own eggs or sperm, or are unable to carry a pregnancy, there may still be options available to help you build your family. Through Dr Huang’s affiliation with Genea Fertility, patients can access local and international donor programs, including donor sperm and donor eggs, with treatment pathways guided according to individual circumstances.
Donor sperm and donor eggs may be considered when pregnancy is unlikely to be achieved using your own gametes (the collective term for sperm and eggs). This may arise in a range of situations, including reduced ovarian function, poor egg quality, severe male factor infertility, or where there is a significant genetic risk that makes donor treatment the more appropriate option. Donor treatment may also form part of family-building for same-sex couples and single women.
Assisted reproductive treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and donor insemination may be considered when an individual or couple is unable to use their own sperm or eggs, or where donor treatment is the more appropriate pathway to pregnancy.
Donor sperm treatment may be considered if you:
Donor egg treatment may be considered if you:
Donor sperm or donor eggs may also be considered where there is a significant risk of passing on a genetic condition through the use of your own eggs or sperm. This may apply where there is a known genetic diagnosis, or where testing has identified a relevant carrier status. In selected situations, donor treatment may reduce the risk of passing on certain genetic conditions and may be discussed as one of several possible options.
Through Dr Huang’s affiliation with Genea Fertility, patients can access a broad range of donor options through both local donor programs and international sperm and egg bank partners. In some situations, a donor may also be someone personally known to you, known as a recipient-recruited donor (or known donor).
If, after your initial consultation, Dr Huang considers donor treatment to be an appropriate option for you, you will be introduced to the Genea donor team. Your donor coordinator will be your main point of contact throughout the process, which usually includes:
You will attend two mandatory sessions with a Genea fertility counsellor to discuss the emotional, social, and legal aspects of using donor sperm or donor eggs. If you are pursuing treatment as a couple, both partners are required to attend.
You will be given access to Genea’s local and international donor databases to review donor profiles and consider your options. This can feel like a significant process, and your donor coordinator can help guide you through it.
All donors undergo screening, including genetic testing, before entering the program. A consultation with a genetic counsellor is required to review any relevant genetic considerations relating to your chosen donor, and to determine whether any testing for you may also be recommended.
For single women or couples using donor sperm, treatment may involve donor insemination or IVF and ICSI, depending on the quality and type of sperm available and the broader clinical situation. For those using donor eggs, treatment involves IVF. Dr Huang will advise on the most appropriate treatment pathway based on your individual circumstances.
Surrogacy involves transferring an embryo created through assisted reproductive treatment into the uterus of another woman, known as a surrogate or gestational carrier, who has agreed to carry a pregnancy for another individual or couple.
This may be considered in situations where:
Surrogacy can offer a meaningful pathway to parenthood for some individuals and couples, but it is also a complex process with important medical, emotional, legal, and practical considerations.
