Donor conception – using donated eggs, sperm or embryos to create a family – is a deeply considered and life-changing decision.
At Aria Fertility, we approach donor conception with the sensitivity, honesty and expertise it deserves, supporting patients through every stage of the process and ensuring that all treatment is carried out in full compliance with HFEA regulations.
Donor conception may be the right path for:
• Women with diminished ovarian reserve or premature ovarian insufficiency who cannot use their own eggs
• Women who have had multiple failed IVF cycles using their own eggs
• Women over 40 who wish to improve their chances of success
• Couples affected by severe male factor infertility where other options have been exhausted
• Single women and same-sex couples who require donor sperm
• Those at risk of passing on a serious genetic condition
An unknown donor is someone not known to an individual or couple who is willing to donate their eggs, sperm or embryos altruistically. At Aria, we can provide you with help and support to find a suitable match with an unknown donor through our approved donation agencies and clinics.
We will ensure that all necessary checks and screenings have been performed in accordance with national regulations and guidelines. We can help advise you of the legal ramifications and implications of donor conception and provide you with the necessary counselling.
A known donor is typically a friend or family member who has offered to provide their eggs or sperm. Before they can donate, it is essential for them to go through the same tests and screening as an unknown donor before they will be accepted to donate eggs, sperm or embryos in your own fertility treatment. At Aria, we can only provide known donation services to patients who live in the UK, because donors must be available for all required screening, testing, and any treatment steps involved in the donation process.
If your chosen donor is not based in the UK, we will not be able to proceed with the donation. Please ensure your donor is resident in the UK and able to attend appointments at our clinic.
In 2005, the regulatory framework in the UK underwent a significant transformation. This change allowed individuals conceived through donor procedures to obtain identifying information about their donors once they reached the age of 18.
Parents and donor-conceived individuals aged 16 can access information regarding the gender and birth year of genetic half-siblings. For adults who were conceived through donor procedures, contact between parties can be facilitated if both parties consent to it.
You can learn more about accessing this registry by visiting the following link: ‘Discovering Information About Your Donor | HFEA’
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) ensures that individuals seeking fertility treatment have the option to receive counselling through their respective clinics. If you wish to get in touch with our counselling team, you are welcome to do so at any time, before, during, or after treatment, regardless of the amount of time that has passed since your treatment took place.
Your consultant will discuss your medical history, explain the process and answer all your questions. Implications counselling with our specialist counsellor is available and recommended as part of the process.
All patients considering donor conception must be offered a consultation with an HFEA-accredited counsellor. This session is designed to support you in thinking through the implications of using donated gametes, including the rights of any resulting child.
Both you and (if applicable) your partner will complete the necessary screening and legal consent documents. These are a regulatory requirement.
For egg donation, your clinical team will work with you to match you with a suitable donor, taking into account physical characteristics, blood type, and other relevant factors.
The treatment itself follows the same process as standard IVF. For egg donation, you will prepare your uterus with medication while the donor undergoes stimulation and egg collection. For donor sperm, the sperm is prepared and used at the appropriate stage of your cycle.
Embryos are transferred and a pregnancy test is taken approximately 12 days later.
Aria was founded by fertility professionals, which means every decision is driven by what is best for patients. You will have a dedicated consultant overseeing your care, supported by our team of highly experienced embryologists and nurses, to ensure you receive personalised, compassionate care.
Our laboratory was one of the first in the UK to use AI-assisted embryo selection, and our single-embryo transfer rate and multiple-pregnancy rate (currently 3.7%) reflect our commitment to safe, evidence-based care. We are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and publish our results transparently.
Our Marylebone clinic offers a calm, unhurried environment and personalised support from the first appointment to the final outcome.
IVF is a significant financial commitment, and we believe in being transparent about what that means from the outset.
Costs vary depending on your individual treatment plan, the investigations required, and whether additional procedures such as ICSI, embryo freezing, or genetic testing are recommended. When comparing prices between clinics, it’s worth ensuring you have a full breakdown of all components – consultation fees, monitoring scans, medication, and laboratory costs can vary considerably and are not always included in headline figures.
At Aria, we will discuss the expected costs during your initial consultation and provide you with a fully costed treatment plan before we start, so there are no surprises along the way.
The questions below are intended to give you a clear and honest overview. For advice specific to your situation, we always recommend booking a consultation with one of our team.
Can donor-conceived children find out who their donor is?
Yes. Under UK law, donor-conceived people have the right to apply to the HFEA for identifying information about their donor when they turn 18. All UK donors registered since April 2005 are identifiable. This is an important consideration when choosing a donor, and your counsellor will discuss it with you.
Do I need counselling?
You will be offered counselling as part of your treatment. Although not mandatory, implications counselling is highly recommended for all patients using donated gametes.
How are donors screened?
All donors – egg and sperm – are screened thoroughly in line with HFEA requirements. This includes medical history, physical examination, infectious disease screening, and genetic carrier screening. Egg donors are also assessed for ovarian reserve and mental health suitability.
Can I choose my donor?
You can specify physical characteristics (such as eye colour, hair colour, and build) and other traits. However, you will not be able to select a specific individual from a list. In sperm donation, more detailed donor profiles are often available.
Can I use the same donor to conceive further children?
This depends on whether the eggs, sperm or embryos are available. If you would like to use the same donor in the future, then it is important to discuss this with us at the beginning of your journey.
Are there limits placed on donation?
In the UK, current regulations allow an egg or sperm donor to create up to 10 families, not including their own. A donor may place restrictions on the use of the eggs or sperm; for example, if a friend or family member is donating, they may restrict the donation so that only you may benefit.
What is the legal position regarding parenthood in donor conception?
According to the HFEA Act 1990, the woman who carries and gives birth to a child is the legal parent of that child. In a heterosexual couple, the male partner is presumed to be the legal father if he consents to treatment. Same-sex female couples can both be recognised as legal parents if the correct consent is in place before treatment. Your consultant will explain the legal position for your specific situation.
Therefore, donors have no legal responsibility to the children born as a result of their donation. This covers the following:
Where is Aria Fertility?
We are located at 8 Welbeck Way, Marylebone, London W1G 9YL – a short walk from Bond Street Underground station. The clinic is deliberately discreet and calm, situated in a quiet mews in the heart of London’s medical district.
When you are ready and the time is right for you, the next step is to contact us, and we will help you arrange a face-to-face, telephone or video-call introduction with one of our consultants.
You can do this by filling in the contact form below or by calling one of our friendly team members on +44 (0) 203 263 6025.
We really look forward to getting to know you and helping guide you toward your next steps toward your dream family.