Trusted egg donation resources
The internet is full of fertility information. Not all of it is reliable. These are the organisations we trust and recommend.
Use them to check who you’re dealing with, understand your treatment, think about family life and find people who understand. Questions along the way? Contact us any time.
Check who you’re dealing with
Anyone treating or advising you should be registered. You’re entitled to ask for a registration number. A good practitioner will hand it over happily.
SASREG
South AfricaThe Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy. Accredits fertility units, publishes the ART Centres of Excellence list and sets the guidelines reputable clinics and egg donation agencies follow.
Visit SASREGHPCSA
South AfricaVerify any doctor, psychologist or dietitian.
Check a registrationAHPCSA
South AfricaVerify homeopaths, acupuncturists and other allied health practitioners.
Check a registrationSACSSP
South AfricaVerify social workers and registered counsellors.
Check a registrationUnderstand your treatment
Specialist-written information in plain language.
ASRM Patient Resources
USFree fact sheets and videos on almost every aspect of fertility treatment. The best starting point on the internet.
Visit ReproductiveFactsHFEA
UKThe UK fertility regulator. Its traffic light ratings show whether there is real evidence behind an IVF add-on before you pay for it. There is no South African equivalent.
Visit HFEAESHRE
EuropeClinical guidelines and patient leaflets, including on recurrent implantation failure and pregnancy loss.
Visit ESHREDonor conception and family life
Help with telling your child and understanding their perspective as they grow.
Donor Conception Network
UKA charity run by donor conception families. Their Telling and Talking guides, organised by your child’s age, are the best resource on disclosure anywhere. They also publish children’s storybooks and run workshops.
Visit DC NetworkWe Are Donor Conceived
InternationalWe include this deliberately. Some of it may challenge you.
Written by and for adults conceived through donation. Much of it argues for openness and identity release, which South African law does not currently provide. Understanding how donor-conceived people feel about their origins helps you decide what and when to tell your child.
Visit We Are Donor ConceivedSupport and community
People and organisations who understand what you’re going through.
IFAASA
South AfricaThe Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa. Education, research and advocacy, including the campaign that brought fertility treatment into medical aid cover.
Visit IFAASAFertility Show Africa
South AfricaThe continent’s only fertility exhibition. Free to attend, with expert talks and a dedicated support zone.
Visit Fertility Show AfricaRESOLVE
USThe US national infertility association. Excellent material on coping, relationships and family building options.
Visit RESOLVEFertility Network UK
UKSupport groups, fact sheets and a helpline, with strong resources for partners.
Visit Fertility Network UKParents Via Egg Donation
InternationalA community for parents and intended parents building families through egg donation.
Visit PVEDOur counsellors
South AfricaFertility counsellors we recommend in Cape Town and Johannesburg, all available online.
Meet our counsellorsA word on forums and social media
Online communities can be a lifeline. They can also be a spiral. Remember three things.
- People rarely post about an uneventful cycle. What you read skews towards extremes at both ends.
- Nobody in that thread has seen your file.
- Whatever you read at 3am will feel truer than it is.
Notice which one a group is for you on any given day. Log off accordingly.
Can’t find what you need?
Ask us. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll know someone who does.
International Intended Parents