Pathway 1: Fresh Donor Egg Transfer | Atlantic Shared Beginnings

About Pathway 1

Atlantic Shared Beginnings’ Fresh Donor Egg Transfer Pathway with Pregnancy Guarantee (Pathway 1) focuses on affordability, access to donor eggs (oocytes), choice of partner or donor sperm, a single transfer cycle, and a guarantee of pregnancy or up to three good quality blastocysts for transfer whichever comes first. If eggs do not fertilize or embryos do not develop, we will provide more eggs to meet the guarantee. We will fertilize a minimal number of eggs with the intention of obtaining a single embryo for each frozen embryo transfer.

To find out more about Pathway 1 and to learn if it could be the pathway for you, request a free consultation here.

Egg Donors

Our donors are healthy women between the ages of 21 and 29 who have agreed to donate their eggs (oocytes) to help others who are struggling with issues of infertility. At Atlantic Shared Beginnings, we believe you should choose your egg donor; not have one chosen for you. Once accepted into the pathway, you will be given access to available egg donor profiles and photos, and you can choose your donor from the comfort of your own home.

Guarantee

Atlantic Shared Beginnings is so confident that you will achieve pregnancy, we offer a guarantee. Traditional egg donor programs are much more expensive, and there is no guarantee the eggs will fertilize or result in viable embryos. As an Atlantic Shared Beginnings’ Egg Donor Recipient, you can move forward with confidence knowing that you are guaranteed pregnancy or up to three blastocysts available for transfer, whichever comes first. Pathway graduation takes place after pregnancy has been confirmed and you have entered the second trimester of pregnancy under the care of your OB.

Embryos

Embryo creation occurs using donor eggs and sperm chosen by the recipient. At Atlantic Shared Beginnings, we value genetic ties and encourage recipients to use partner sperm when possible, and you always have the flexibility to use the donor sperm of your choice. We fertilize a minimal number of eggs and culture the resulting embryos in our lab for five to six days until they reach blastocyst stage. The blastocysts will be frozen and stored in the lab while the recipient prepares for embryo transfer.

Pathway Fee

The fee to participate in Pathway 1 is $19,500. An initial non-refundable deposit of $600 is due following patient-physician consultation. The remainder of the fee is due when the recipient chooses and secures her egg donor for treatment. Medications and some procedures are not included in the pathway fee and can be discussed during the initial consult with the program director.

Genetic Testing

All of our donors have expanded genetic carrier screening which is then compared with that of the sperm source to ensure a good match.

Embryo testing (PGT: Preimplantation genetic testing) is not available in Pathway 1 due to the minimal number of eggs fertilized at one time. Pathway 2 is a better choice for patients who desire PGT. Atlantic Shared Beginnings’ program director will discuss all of your options during your free initial consult.

Pathway 1 FAQ's

How does Pathway 1 work?

Pathway 1 guarantees you will achieve a pregnancy or have up to three blastocysts available for transfer, whichever comes first. You select an egg donor. The day of her retrieval a small number of fresh eggs will be fertilized. The resulting embryo(s) will be cryopreserved, and you will then begin preparing for your Frozen Embryo Transfer. After the transfer, a pregnancy test will be performed. If you are not pregnant, you will have two more good quality blastocysts available. Only the first transfer is included in the Pathway fee.

What if more than one embryo develops with the fertilization?

If more than one embryo develops with the fertilization and you achieve pregnancy with your first transfer, any remaining embryo(s) belong to you. After program graduation you can elect to have those embryos stored for future use.

What if no embryo develops with the fertilization?

If a good quality embryo does not develop with the first fertilization attempt, more eggs will be fertilized at no extra charge.

Do I get to see photos of the donors?

Yes, childhood and current photos are available to recipients who are accepted into the program as well as other information about the donor’s health and personality.

Can I use my own egg donor?

Many times, this may be possible. This is only possible if there are eggs available from your previous donor for the subsequent transfer or if your donor is willing to cycle again. We will always try to accommodate these requests but cannot guarantee them.

Can I use the same egg donor for all my transfers?

This Shared Beginnings pathway guarantees pregnancy or up to three good blastocysts available for transfer, with the first transfer included in the fee. If your donor eggs do not fertilize, we will attempt fertilization again with another subset of eggs. Failed fertilization does not count as one of your transfers.

I would like to do genetic testing on my embryo(s), is this an option?

With Pathway 1 genetic testing (PGT) is not an option due to the minimal number of eggs fertilized at a time. We do have two pathways Pathway 2 and Pathway 4 that easily allow for testing. In addition to those two, Pathway 3, the Donor/Donor Embryo Pathway, some of the donors have already been tested. This option can be discussed with the program director or the physician at your initial appointment.

Can I buy more eggs from my donor if I get pregnant for future use?

Yes. If additional eggs are available from your donor, cohorts of 6-8 vitrified eggs can be purchased for $14,000 after program graduation. This option is not part of this Shared Beginnings pathway. Successful transfer is not guaranteed. Plan on discussing this further with the program director or your physician at your initial appointment.

I do not live in North Carolina; can I still participate in this program?

Many of our patients travel to our Raleigh, North Carolina offices to participate in Shared Beginnings Pathways to Pregnancy and Parenthood. Although travel expenses are not included in the pathway prices, the affordability of the program makes travel a possibility for most patients. Many steps of the program can be completed away from the clinic. You will however have to travel to the clinic for some appointments. Click here for nearby Raleigh-Durham hotel options.

Can I transfer more than one embryo?

A single blastocyst transfer at a time is recommended. The physicians will discuss the best options for a healthy pregnancy with you.

Can I have my embryos shipped to my local clinic?

With Pathway 1 you cannot, but if working with a clinic of your choosing is important to you, with Pathways 2 and Pathway 4 embryos can be created at Shared Beginnings and shipped to your clinic for the transfers. This option can be discussed with the program director to make sure the transfer and shipping goes smoothly.

My insurance has fertility coverage, how will this work?

The Shared Beginnings Pathway Fees are a discounted bundle package and cannot be billed to insurance. We cannot provide itemized statements to patients.

Can I use my own donor sperm?

Yes, however not all donor sperm meets the criteria to be used in Shared Beginnings Pathways. Discuss this further at your new patient consultationyour new patient consultation with the Program Director.

How are egg donors chosen?

Our patients know what they want. When you sign up for a Shared Beginnings Pathway you will be given a list of egg donors to choose from for creating an embryo that fits your family. We will work closely with you and help you through the selection process.

I have already had a lot of the required tests completed; can I use these records?

Many previous test results can be used and will not have to be repeated. Your records will be reviewed and we will discuss which will need to be repeated and why.

programs

Pathway 1

Fresh Donor Egg Transfer
Pathway with Guarantee

Pathway 2

Donor Egg Cohort
Pathway with Guarantee

Pathway 3

Donor/Donor Embryo
Pathway with Guarantee

Pathway 4

Crossover
Pathway with Guarantee

Pathway 5

Transfer-Ready Embryos Pathway with Guarantee