IVF Guarantee – Embryo and Egg Guarantees in Egg Donation IVF Explained

If you are planning to participate in an egg donation IVF program abroad, you have probably heard about several “guarantees” offered by the IVF clinics. Some of them have a mere advertising function, some stress on promotional issues, while others underline that the treatment is of a high standard.

Besides the successful outcome of the treatment, the potential patients are more prone to choose the clinic that they find outstandingly reliable among many other things. Such facilities include the quality and effectiveness of the procedure, the clinic’s reputation, treatment costs, and the possibility of having a donor of physical similarity.

However, there is a trend among patients to pay attention to the “guarantees” provided by clinics. Fertility clinics, on their part, are eager to diversify their offers by guaranteeing, for example, a certain number of eggs that can be obtained from a donor or a specific number of embryos will be developed by a particular day (the third day of embryo culture or the fifth day of embryo culture) as well as additional IVF treatments that are covered in the original plan and sometimes even reimbursements are made if the conditions of the contract in which pregnancy or live birth is one of them are not met.

Let’s have a brief analysis of the “guarantees” that many highly ranked IVF clinics in Europe have gradually offered to their clients which are usually those with international reach. Below, you will find the differences in the guarantees offered by the different clinics in egg donation programs. In the main IVF countries which are Spain, Greece, the Czech Republic, Northern Cyprus, Portugal, and Latvia all the clinics offer a range of egg and embryo guarantees in egg donation programs.

You may be interested in reading: Top Egg Donation Programs in Europe Reviewed

Number of eggs (oocytes) guarantee

The number of eggs you receive from the donor is crucial because not all oocytes will be suitable for fertilization, and from the fertilized oocytes, only a few will develop into embryos.

So, how many eggs do you need to obtain at least two embryos? Statistically, out of 12 eggs, around 10 will be suitable for fertilization. From these, you can expect about 3-4 embryos by Day 3, and a maximum of 1 or 2 embryos by Day 5.

Frozen Oocytes (Eggs) – Guarantee in Egg Donation

In egg donation programs using frozen eggs, a minimum egg guarantee is common practice. The clinic guarantees a minimum number of eggs that you will receive for fertilization. When considering such an offer, it’s worth asking the clinic:

• Does the guaranteed egg count refer to frozen eggs or already thawed eggs?This is crucial, as the number of thawed eggs will certainly be lower than the frozen count. If the guarantee is based on the frozen count, make sure to ask whether the clinic guarantees the number of eggs that survive the thawing process and are available for fertilization.
• What are the “survival rate” statistics for the donor’s frozen eggs?The survival rate depends on the experience of the embryology lab, the quality of the egg freezing process (which may occur outside the clinic if the eggs come from an external bank), and the quality of the thawing process. Clinics often report a “survival rate” of over 90%. According to scientific publications, the average survival rate may range from 73% to 99%.

You may read more about oocytes survival rates here:

• Clinical outcomes of a vitrified donor oocyte programme: A single UK centre experience
• How many frozen eggs survive thawing?

Important questions to ask the clinic about the egg guarantee (frozen eggs):

• Does the guaranteed number of eggs refer to oocytes before thawing or after thawing?
• Does the clinic guarantee a minimum number of thawed eggs? If so, how many?
• Does the clinic guarantee a minimum number of eggs suitable for fertilization?
• What if most of the eggs do not survive the thawing process? Will I receive a refund, or will the IVF program be repeated?

Fresh Oocytes (Eggs) – Guarantee in Egg Donation

In the case of fresh eggs, with a synchronized cycle between the donor and the recipient, it’s essential to know that predicting the exact number of eggs retrieved from the donor is challenging. However, clinics often guarantee a minimum number of eggs that the recipient will receive. This is because, when retrieving eggs from a healthy, young donor, the chances of obtaining a larger number of eggs in a single cycle (more than 12, and in some cases even over 20) are very high.

Common options for egg quantity guarantees include:

• A minimum number of eggs the recipient receives, e.g., 10
• Half of the eggs retrieved from the donor in a given cycle
• All eggs retrieved from the donor in a given cycle, often referred to as an “exclusive donor”

Important Questions to Ask the Clinic About the Oocyte Guarantee (Fresh Eggs):

• Does the clinic guarantee a minimum number of eggs suitable for fertilization?
• What if an insufficient number of eggs is retrieved from the donor?
• If the clinic guarantees all eggs from the donor, it’s worth asking how many there might be. How many eggs, on average, does the clinic retrieve from its donors?

Embryo Guarantee – Egg Donation Programs

Many clinics offer egg donation programs that guarantee a specific number of embryos. Given that most clinics prefer to perform embryo transfers on Day 5, these guarantees often pertain to embryos on Day 5 of development. However, some clinics also offer guarantees for the number of embryos on Day 3.

It’s worth knowing that, statistically, the number of embryos on Day 5 (blastocysts) is about 50% lower than on Day 3. Also, remember that a guaranteed number of embryos does not guarantee a pregnancy.

You can benefit from egg donation programs with a guaranteed number of embryos only if:

• Your partner’s sperm meets standard parameters. What does this mean? Some clinics accept WHO reference values as the standard for normal sperm parameters in a healthy male. Other clinics may set their own, more stringent reference standards for normal sperm for these programs.
• You are using sperm from a sperm bank. In this case, the sperm has already been tested before being accepted by the bank and will definitely meet the clinic’s requirements.

This leads to the question: Does an embryo number guarantee in egg donation programs make sense? If your partner’s sperm meets the necessary standards or you’re using banked sperm, the likelihood of obtaining the number of embryos guaranteed by the clinic is very high—even in programs without such a guarantee.

Embryo guarantees do not stem from any special technology unique to the clinic. Instead, these guarantees are based on statistical outcomes. The key here is the word “guarantee,” which is appealing to patients dealing with infertility, while for clinics, it serves as a way to market their services.

Does this mean such programs have no value for patients? Of course, they add value, as patients can feel more reassured with these programs. They know that if the number of embryos is lower than expected, the clinic will take responsibility.

Important Questions to Ask the Clinic About Embryo Guarantees:

• What will happen if the number of embryos is lower than guaranteed?
• Does the clinic also guarantee a specific number of high-quality embryos? If so, how many, and what quality? Or does the guarantee only cover the number of embryos?
• What if all the guaranteed embryos are of very poor quality?

Refund Guarantee – Egg Donation Programs

Some clinics offer programs that guarantee a refund in the event of failure. The costs of such programs are high—in Europe, they range from €16,000 to €24,000. Both the woman and her partner must qualify, and the qualification criteria are often strict.

In some cases, clinics refer to these programs as a “pregnancy guarantee” or “live birth guarantee,” which can be misleading, as no one in medicine can truly guarantee a pregnancy. What the clinic can guarantee is a refund.

You can read more about refund guarantee or money-back guarantee programs here >

Refunds and Discounts in Egg Donation Programs

Regardless of which egg donation program you choose—with guarantees or without—it’s worth asking the clinic about refund options if the program fails at any stage.

Some clinics offer a discount on the next program in the event of failure, as well as a free consultation to review the previous cycle.

Guarantee in IVF programs – FAQ

What is a donor egg guarantee?

A donor egg guarantee is a program offered by some fertility clinics that ensures a set number of viable eggs or embryos derived from donor eggs for intended parents. This guarantee often involves a promise of a specific number of high-quality eggs or embryos, with the option for additional treatment cycles or financial reimbursement if the set conditions aren’t met. The goal is to provide assurance to patients about the likelihood of achieving embryos that can lead to pregnancy, thereby reducing the uncertainty associated with donor egg cycles.

What does an embryo guarantee mean in fertility treatment?

An embryo guarantee refers to a policy provided by fertility clinics ensuring a certain number of viable embryos will be available for transfer or preservation as part of a treatment plan.

What types of embryo guarantee programs exist? 

Common types include guarantees for a specific number of viable embryos, refunds if a certain number is not achieved, or comprehensive plans covering multiple cycles until successful embryo development is attained.

Why do fertility clinics offer embryo guarantees? 

Clinics offer embryo guarantees to provide peace of mind to patients, enhance trust, and promote a transparent approach to potential outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Are there specific criteria to qualify for an embryo guarantee? 

Yes, many programs have eligibility requirements such as age limits, certain medical conditions, or previous treatment history that determine a patient’s qualification for a guarantee plan.

Does an embryo guarantee mean a higher chance of successful pregnancy? 

While it ensures the availability of embryos, it doesn’t necessarily equate to a successful pregnancy. It increases the likelihood of having enough embryos to try multiple transfers.

What is typically covered in an embryo guarantee program? 

Coverage in an embryo guarantee program may include services such as initial consultations, egg retrievals, embryo culture and transfer, and cryopreservation. Specifics depend on the clinic and plan type.

How is an embryo guarantee different from a live birth guarantee?

An embryo guarantee ensures a certain number of viable embryos are provided, while a live birth guarantee includes comprehensive fertility treatments up to and including the birth of a child, with refunds if unsuccessful.

What are the financial implications of choosing an embryo guarantee? 

These programs can be more expensive upfront compared to standard treatments, but they often offer more security by covering multiple cycles or providing refunds if targets are not met.

What happens if a clinic fails to meet the embryo guarantee? 

Most embryo guarantee programs offer financial reimbursement, additional treatment cycles at no extra cost, or adjustments in the treatment plan to meet the guarantee criteria.

Are embryo guarantees common in all fertility clinics? 

Not all clinics offer embryo guarantees. The availability depends on the clinic’s policies, resources, and the country or state’s regulations governing fertility treatments.

Can embryo guarantees be combined with other fertility treatment options? 

Some clinics may allow combinations with other treatment enhancements like pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) or donor egg/sperm programs, but this varies by clinic.

What are the success rates of embryo guarantee programs? 

Success rates can vary based on factors like the patient’s age, underlying health conditions, and the clinic’s expertise. Generally, these programs are designed to maximize opportunities for pregnancy success.

What should I consider before choosing an embryo guarantee plan? 

Important considerations include understanding the full terms and conditions, eligibility requirements, refund policies, and potential hidden costs or exclusions.

Are embryo guarantees regulated by any governing body? 

Regulations vary by location. In some regions, national or local health authorities may oversee such programs to ensure transparency and fairness, while in others, oversight may be minimal.

How do I know if an embryo guarantee is right for me? 

Consulting with a fertility specialist can help assess your specific medical situation and financial readiness, aiding in the decision-making process regarding whether an embryo guarantee suits your needs.

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