For same sex couples, single women and couples who are unable to conceive using their own eggs or sperm, or who cannot carry a pregnancy, donation and surrogacy pathways offer a genuine route to parenthood.
Deciding to pursue donor conception or surrogacy is a deeply personal decision, and one that can bring with it a mix of emotions. Dr Rozen approaches these conversations with sensitivity, helping patients understand their options clearly so they can make decisions that feel right for them.
Dr Rozen’s patients have access to a donor database through Genea Fertility. As Dr Rozen is based in Victoria, all donors and recipients supported through the Victorian counselling and consent process.
Egg donation is an option for individuals, same-sex male couples, or couples who are unable to use their own eggs. Donor eggs are used as part of an IVF cycle, with the resulting embryo transferred to the uterus of the intended parent or a surrogate.
IVF success rates are generally higher when donor eggs are used compared to a woman’s own eggs. This is because egg quality declines with age, meaning older women are more likely to achieve a successful pregnancy using donor eggs than with their own.
Sperm donation is used by individuals or couples who are unable to conceive using their own sperm. Donor sperm can be used in IUI, IVF, or ICSI, depending on the patient’s circumstances. It is a commonly used pathway for single women and same-sex female couples, as well as heterosexual couples where male factor infertility cannot be addressed through other options.
Some patients choose to use a known donor, such as a friend or family member, rather than an unknown donor from a clinic database. This applies to both egg and sperm donation, and is a common pathway for same-sex couples and single women who already have someone in mind to help them grow their family.
In Victoria, the same legal framework applies regardless of whether the donor is known or unknown. Using a known donor can offer patients a greater sense of connection and certainty around their donor’s background and health history, however it also raises practical and relational considerations that differ from using an unknown donor, which is why thorough counselling is a mandatory part of the Victorian process.
Surrogacy is an option for individuals or couples who are unable to carry a pregnancy themselves. In gestational surrogacy, the most common form in Australia, an embryo is created through IVF using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors, and then transferred to the uterus of the surrogate. The surrogate has no genetic connection to the child.
Surrogacy in Australia is strictly regulated and must be altruistic. This means surrogates cannot receive financial compensation beyond reasonable medical and pregnancy-related expenses. All parties are required to receive independent legal advice and counselling before entering into an arrangement, and intended parents must apply to the court for a Parentage Order after the birth to transfer legal parentage.
Success rates for gestational surrogacy in Australia are generally comparable to those of standard IVF and depend on the age and health of the egg and sperm provider, as well as the surrogate’s ability to carry a pregnancy.
While each pathway has its own specific steps, all three broadly share the following parts of the process.
Dr Rozen will discuss your medical circumstances and which pathway is most appropriate for your situation
Mandatory counselling is required before proceeding with donor conception or surrogacy, to ensure all parties have a clear understanding of expectations and the emotional complexity involved
Independent legal advice is required for surrogacy arrangements, and is strongly recommended for donor conception
Once all requirements are met, fertility treatment proceeds in line with the chosen pathway, whether IUI, IVF, or ICSI
“Choosing donor conception or surrogacy is one of the most significant decisions a person can make. I take that seriously, and I approach every conversation about it with the honesty and sensitivity it deserves.”
– Dr Genia Rozen, Fertility Specialist, Genea Melbourne City and Frankston
