As you read in the last chapter, egg donation is a hot topic right now. Egg or oocyte donation is currently being done in many places and in many fertility centers around the world. This may be your best option to get pregnant if you have a problem with ovarian reserve, or poor egg quality or quantity. It can also be used to help you if your problem is with genetic issues passed down maternally, or from the mother's side.

You can do a cycle with an egg donor that is for your use only, or as a shared cycle in which you and another couple share the eggs that are gathered during retrieval. Each set of eggs is then fertilized with sperm from the partner of the couple receiving the eggs or from donor sperm that they pick out. The eggs are not fertilized by the same person, even though the eggs are from the same woman.

The fertilized eggs are then transferred into your body. If there are eggs that are left over after the transfer is done, you can save these eggs for use at a later time. This is known as freezing embryos. Your egg donor will not be involved with any future cycles that you do — her part in the process is finished after her eggs have been harvested.

This type of procedure can greatly increase your odds of conception if egg issues are at the heart of your infertility. It is also of great use in the treatment of fertility issues where age is an issue or if you do not have ovaries. It is a commonly accepted treatment and one that is usually imperceptible, unless you choose to tell others that you have used donor eggs.