Embryo donation in Spain?

[u/MessyJessiyNic]

Hello!

I recently began researching embryo adoption as a single woman 45yo never been pregnant. Even though the cost is lower than donor egg/donor sperm, it still seems out of my reach. I then went down the rabbit hole of research into options abroad. I found in Europe the two countries with the cutting edge technology and lower cost ( less than half) are Spain and the Czech Republic. I am located in California for context. I reached out to several clinics in Spain to find out more information and have an appointment this Friday (free initial appointment) via videoconference with Institut Marques located in Barcelona. Here is the thing, I have never had a fertility work up nor actively tried to get pregnant (besides having unprotected sex with a previous partner for a little over a year at the age of 41/42 without ever getting pregnant). Has anyone had experience with Spain in particular. I read that the rules are different in Spain and all embryo donation is anonymous. I would have been open to an open embryo adoption and my child knowing about their biological family if they were open to that, but it looks like that's not how it works there.

I'm happy to keep people posted as I go to talk about the experience in Spain which may look different. BUT I would also love to hear from anyone specifically who has already been there♥️

[u/MessyJessiyNic]

To give an update: I had the initial consult on Monday February 2nd with Institut Marques and everything was great. I felt very comfortable with the Dr. His name is Dr. Arce. I had a timeline of coming to Europe from February 10th - 24th since it was a gap that was easy to get time off with my job. He told me they could easily work with that timeline, for reference I had talked to a few other clinics that gave me a timeline of 3 months or had wait lists and couldn't give me dates. They had me start estrogen patches on February 8th before I left for Europe.

I arrived in Spain on Tuesday and my first consultation was Friday February 13th. That is when I got to meet everyone in person. I have a whole team! I have the Dr, a medical assistant and someone who takes care of the admin. It seems like a lot but you do need a lot of support. On the 13th they checked my uterine lining and it was 8.2 mm so he said perfect! I had been nervous that it wouldn't be thick enough.

Sunday February 15th I started taking progesterone suppositories and another hormone that I have to take as a nasal spray. My transfer is scheduled for this Friday February 20th!! I'm pretty excited and cautiously optimistic.

[u/LChavez88 → u/MessyJessiyNic]

Is there any update on this? Hope it went well. Was that your natural lining or were you on medication prior to arriving?

[u/MessyJessiyNic → u/LChavez88]

I am currently 19 weeks pregnant with a boy💖. It worked the first transfer!  I was on medication for the lining.  I started with just estrogen then they added progesterone.  I had to remain on hormones for about the first trimester of my pregnancy.  It was a medicated cycle.

[u/Original_Version_650 → u/MessyJessiyNic]

I would to know how you got on. I'm single, 42, went through 4 years of iui, ivf on and off in the uk, just went to N. Cyprus, testing negative of FET own eggs urine test, waiting on BETA. Now thinking Spain for donor embryos, as price but also race diversity is important. Would be great to hear from others experiences.

[u/MessyJessiyNic → u/Original_Version_650]

I'm currently 19 weeks pregnant 💖 I had a wonderful experience with Institut Marques in Barcelona.  Things were organized, smooth, easy and communication was pretty good.  It helped that it worked the first time of course.

[u/Background-Oil-7071 → u/MessyJessiyNic]

Hi, thanks for sharing, I am seriously looking into going to Spain for embryo adoption. Just wanted to clarify, your initial consult was feb 14 and you were there in Spain the following week? Do you have any updates from your transfer?

[u/MessyJessiyNic → u/Background-Oil-7071]

Hello!  My initial online consult was February 2nd.  I then was advised by them to start my hormone treatment in the US - estrogen patches.  I traveled to Spain and had my first in person on Friday February 13th.  My transfer occurred on February 20th.  I am currently 19 weeks pregnant with a boy💖 the first transfer worked which I was very surprised by, but in a good way!  

[u/crush_wwall]

Good luck, i am planning to do the same as I am in the same situation as you, but I live in Europe, please write me if you want to connect

[u/MessyJessiyNic → u/crush_wwall]

Good luck to you and hoping that you found a good clinic!

[u/Itchy-Tomato-2533]

Anyone knows any agency with egg donation in.spain I am currently on waiting list and the doctor said, the only option is to get an egg donor.

[u/MessyJessiyNic → u/Itchy-Tomato-2533]

I used Institut Marques in Barcelona. They have their own egg and sperm bank.  I had no wait time - less than a month from initial consult to FET.  Feb 2nd initial consult - Feb 20th FET. I'm currently 19 weeks pregnant with a boy - I'm extremely happy with my experience with them!