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- Quick matching with fresh or frozen donor eggs
- IVF after 49 is permitted in Slovakia
- Free initial consultation with our fertility coordinator within 24 hours
What Is IVF with Donor Eggs?
IVF with donor eggs means that the eggs used in your treatment come from a donor, not from you. It is recommended when a woman's own eggs are unlikely to lead to a healthy pregnancy — especially with very low ovarian reserve, poor egg quality or repeated unsuccessful IVF cycles.
The process itself follows the same core steps as standard IVF: the eggs are fertilized with sperm, they develop into embryos in the laboratory, and the strongest embryo is transferred into the recipient's uterus. The only real difference with egg donation is where the eggs come from. Using donor eggs doesn't diminish your role in the pregnancy — you carry and give birth to your baby yourself. The genetic link to your child comes through your partner's sperm, if it is used.
IVF with donated eggs is a well-established and safe treatment, and for many patients it is the option that finally leads to a successful pregnancy after other treatments haven't worked.
The decision to use donor eggs is rarely a simple one — it often comes after years of trying, and it can bring up feelings you didn't expect. That's a natural part of the journey, not a sign that you're making the wrong choice. For many of the couples we've worked with, donor eggs were the path that finally led to a healthy pregnancy, a baby in their arms and the joy of parenthood they had wanted for so long.
Foreign patients are very welcome at our clinic. If you're traveling to Slovakia from abroad for IVF with donor eggs, your journey will be managed by an English-speaking coordinator who, together with our experienced medical team, will guide you through every step — from your initial consultation to your hCG pregnancy test.
Considering IVF with donor eggs after 49? Treatment may be possible following an individual medical assessment – see how we approach it →
Who Is Donor Egg IVF Suitable For?
IVF with donor eggs is one of the fertility treatment options when the chance of a successful pregnancy with your own eggs is very low, or when using your own eggs isn't possible. We especially recommend considering it in the following situations:
- Significantly diminished ovarian reserve – a low number of available eggs, especially if previous IVF cycles haven't brought the expected result.
- Premature ovarian insufficiency or early menopause – when the ovaries no longer produce eggs or their function is significantly reduced.
- Repeated unsuccessful IVF cycles – particularly with proven poor egg quality or repeatedly poor embryo development.
- Genetic conditions – when there is a high risk of passing on a serious genetic condition to your children and other options aren't suitable.
- After cancer treatment or ovarian surgery – when chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery has significantly damaged ovarian function.
- Advanced reproductive age – when the chance of a successful pregnancy with your own eggs is very low.
Every patient is unique. At Repromedica, we assess the suitability of IVF with donated eggs on a case-by-case basis, taking into account age, hormone tests, ultrasound findings, reproductive history, and the results of previous treatments. Our goal is to recommend a treatment that offers you the highest realistic chance of success.
How Does the Donor Egg IVF Process Work?
A donor egg IVF cycle usually takes four to twelve weeks from donor selection to your pregnancy test, though this can be much shorter when pre-screened, vitrified donor eggs are used. The process usually includes these steps:
Consultation & mandatory examinations
We thoroughly review your medical history, hormone levels and uterine health to confirm that IVF with donor eggs is the right treatment for you.
Choice of donor
Together with a specialist, you choose a donor based on medical screening results and selection criteria (see the next section).
Endometrial preparation
Hormonal medication thickens and prepares the uterine lining to receive the embryo, timed to the donor's cycle or to the chosen transfer date.
Egg retrieval or thawing
Fresh eggs are retrieved from the donor, or vitrified eggs are thawed shortly before fertilization.
Fertilization
The donor eggs are fertilized with sperm, usually by ICSI, where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg to give the best possible chance of fertilization.
Embryo culture
The fertilized eggs are cultured in the laboratory for three to six days under continuous monitoring.
Embryotransfer
The strongest embryo is transferred into your uterus through a thin catheter. No anesthesia is needed.
Luteal support and pregnancy test
Hormone support usually continues for 14 days, until a blood test confirms the result, because your body doesn't produce these hormones naturally in a donor egg cycle.
IVF with Donor Eggs for Patients Over 49
In Slovakia, there is no uniform statutory upper age limit for IVF treatment. Whether treatment is suitable is decided by a doctor, based on an individual assessment of the patient's health and the results of the necessary examinations. For women of advanced age, a careful evaluation of the health risks associated with pregnancy is especially important. Unlike some European countries with strict age limits, IVF with donor eggs in Slovakia may therefore also be available to women over 49.
Although the success rate of IVF with your own eggs declines significantly with age, using donor eggs can substantially increase the chance of pregnancy. Eggs from young, medically screened donors help overcome age-related egg quality issues. The recipient's age still plays a role in assessing pregnancy safety, however. That's why we approach every patient individually and consider treatment options with her overall health in mind.
How Are Egg Donors Selected and Matched?
Every egg donor at Repromedica undergoes a thorough selection process and medical examinations before being accepted into the donor program. Our goal is to ensure a high standard of safety and quality for donated eggs.
- Age and Health Criteria – Donors are between the ages of 18 and 33, in good overall health, and have an adequate ovarian reserve.
- Medical and genetic screening – including a detailed personal and family medical history, a gynecological examination, laboratory tests, infectious disease screening and genetic testing to reduce the risk of passing on inherited conditions.
- Readiness for donation – we make sure the donor understands the donation process, its possible risks and conditions, and that her decision is voluntary and fully informed.
- Blood group and physical characteristics – when choosing a donor, we consider blood group, eye and hair color, height, build and other characteristics, according to your preferences and the donors available.
- Previous donation cycles – if the donor has donated before, we evaluate her response to hormonal stimulation, the number and maturity of retrieved eggs, and the available results of previous cycles.
Donor Egg IVF Success Rates
IVF with donor eggs generally achieves higher success rates than IVF with your own eggs, especially for women of advanced reproductive age. This is mainly because the eggs come from young, carefully selected and medically screened donors. With donor eggs, the recipient's age has much less influence on the success of treatment than with own eggs. The outcome still depends on several factors, including embryo quality, the recipient's health and how ready the uterus is to receive the embryo.
Repromedica's success rate for IVF with donor eggs. Most of our donor egg patients are over 40.
This figure represents the clinical pregnancy rate after the first embryo transfer.
Pred začiatkom liečby vám vysvetlíme, čo tieto výsledky znamenajú vo vašej konkrétnej situácii, aké faktory môžu ovplyvniť úspešnosť a koľko embryí možno z jedného cyklu s darovanými vajíčkami očakávať.
How Much Does IVF with Donor Eggs Cost?
At Repromedica, a reproductive medicine clinic in Bratislava with 12 years of experience, we focus on transparent pricing and clear treatment terms. Our donor programs have a clearly defined scope of services, so before treatment begins you know exactly what's included in your package and which procedures may be charged separately.
For patients from abroad, IVF with donor eggs in Slovakia is an affordable alternative to treatment in the UK, Ireland and other Western European countries — while meeting current European quality and safety standards.
Because every treatment is individual, the total cost may vary depending on the examinations needed, the laboratory methods chosen and any additional services. That's why we prepare a personalized cost estimate for you before treatment begins.
If you have any questions or need more detailed information, our IVF coordinators will be happy to help you choose the right program and explain the various treatment options.
*The blastocyst guarantee is subject to the attending doctor's individual assessment of the semen analysis parameters.
IVF cycle with donor eggs – 2 blastocyst guarantee*
IVF cycle with donor eggs – every step of the cycle in one package, 3 blastocyst guarantee*
Why Choose Repromedica for IVF with Donor Eggs?
When choosing a clinic for IVF with donor eggs, what matters isn't only modern technology and price, but above all the experience of the medical team, the quality of the donor program and a personal approach to every patient. At Repromedica, we offer:
IVF with Donor Eggs in Bratislava – Accessible Treatment for International Patients
Repromedica is located in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, which is easy to reach from many European countries thanks to its location and good transport links.
We have extensive experience caring for international patients. Our IVF coordinators will help you plan each step of your treatment so that you can keep your clinic visits to the minimum.
Bratislava has its own international airport with flights to several European destinations. Another option is Vienna International Airport, which offers a wide network of direct flights from cities in Europe and beyond.
Vienna International Airport is about 45 minutes from our clinic by car or shuttle bus.
Bratislava is also easy to reach by train, bus or car from neighboring countries.
Slovakia is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, which makes travel easy for patients from many European countries. Entry requirements for patients from outside the EU depend on their nationality.
We're happy to help you plan your treatment. Our coordinators will give you all the information you need about your clinic visits and help you put together a treatment schedule before you arrive in Bratislava.
How many trips you'll need. For IVF with donor eggs, we organize treatment so that international patients need as few in-person clinic visits as possible.
Your initial consultation can take place online, and some of the necessary tests can be done in your home country. You send us the results in advance, and our doctor recommends the next steps based on them.
You may need to visit the clinic in person for additional tests or to have your partner's sperm collected.
The next visit is planned for your embryo transfer, with the date set according to your treatment plan and the readiness of your uterine lining.
In many cases, one or two visits to the clinic are enough. The exact number depends on your individual treatment plan and the tests you need.
Our IVF coordinators will explain the whole process to you in advance and help you plan each step, so you don't have to travel more often than necessary.
Where to stay. Bratislava offers a wide range of accommodation, from affordable apartments to comfortable hotels. The historic Old Town is compact, with plenty of restaurants, cafés and services, and is easy to reach by public transport or taxi.
When planning your stay, our IVF coordinators will be happy to share information about accommodation and transport options to make your visit to Bratislava as comfortable as possible.
Planning IVF with donor eggs in Bratislava?
To talk through your own travel timeline, please press the “Book a Free Consultation” button and our fertility consultant will help you plan the trip alongside your treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can choose from the donors currently available, or wait for a donor who better matches your preferences — in that case, the waiting time before treatment may be longer.
Our coordinators will help you find a suitable donor, taking into account both your preferences and medical criteria.
The medication is mainly used to prepare the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to receive the embryo and to support implantation. Estrogen and progesterone are the most commonly used.
Your doctor will decide on the exact protocol based on your health and your menstrual cycle.
You don't have to be alone on this journey
We know that the path to the baby you've been hoping for can bring many questions and decisions. Our team is here to give you the information you need, explain your treatment options and help you find the solution that best fits your situation. Get in touch and take the first step on your journey to parenthood.
