The UK’s big switch to Toronto, Canada for egg donation, surrogacy & Dr Daphne Chong
From its long-established legal framework and excellent healthcare system, to a more fair approach to surrogate and donor expense reimbursement – gestational surrogacy and donor egg IVF in Toronto, Canada is gaining serious attention.
For gynaecologist (and fertility specialist) Dr Daphne Chong, Canada was the natural next step in a distinguished career that started here in the UK.
Making the move in 2023, and with a Canadian specialty designation underway, she picked up with us on the international focus on Toronto right now, for fertility treatment abroad.
And particularly, why Canada – and ReproMed Fertility, Toronto – for IVF with donor eggs and gestational surrogacy.
At a glance – why Canada?
We know from experience, when planning IVF – and particularly donor conception – decision-making is all about the short list, and plus points for each country or destination.
Before we dive in to the detail, here’s a quick list from Dr Chong on why her patients and intended parents (IPs) are putting Toronto, Canada in the top spot:
- the legal framework of Canada’s Assisted Human Reproduction Act (2004) – in place for 20 years, this provides protection for families growing their family through egg donation and surrogacy in Canada.
- low reimbursement for UK donors (capped at £750) vs a zero cap in Canada, allowing donors to be reimbursed fairly for related expenses.
- both options – anonymous and known donation – are available in Canada.
- surrogacy and egg donation are legal and regulated by the Canadian government. Canada has a similar legal framework in all provinces and territories, protecting the rights of families of all kinds.
- in the province of Ontario – where ReproMed Fertility is located – the All Families are Equal Act was updated in 2016. Declarations of parentage, as well as second parent adoptions, are no longer required in many circumstances to register a child’s birth in a parent’s name.
- gestational surrogacy in Canada is legal, regulated and altruistic. With an increasing number of families being built this way, it is well-accepted and understood by the medical community and general population.
- more widespread use of PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) in Canada, relative to the UK.
- Canada’s excellent healthcare system is built to support IPs and surrogates throughout pregnancy and birth, as well as baby.
Keen to hear more? Let’s get into it. Here’s our deep-dive with Dr Daphne Chong, with specific detail on IVF, donor conception and international surrogacy in Toronto, Canada and at ReproMed Fertility.
Background – training, residency and UK practice
Before relocating to Toronto, I was an independent practitioner in the UK. My official title is gynaecologist with a sub specialist interest in reproductive medicine – a bit of a mouthful!
Essentially, it took me around 12 to 15 years to get to this point after medical school. I chose OBGYN training, and for me, reproductive medicine and infertility really, really interests me – it’s my passion.
Already qualified as an independent practitioner, I chose to further sub-specialise and invested around three to four years in two reproductive medicine sub specialisms, working exclusively in the IVF unit.
Why Toronto, initially?
From a reproductive medicine point of view, and relating specifically to infertility, I think worldwide we’re speaking a very similar language. The actual medicine is quite similar.
However, you can see that European and North American success rates are quite vastly different. And I was intrigued to see what I can learn in North American practice. Being here in Toronto, I’ve appreciated that there are very different legal frameworks, and healthcare is set up quite differently to the UK.
In the NHS, healthcare is very centralised. In Canada, you see a lot more patient autonomy and patients are, of course, more empowered to choose their provider. It’s been a huge learning curve for me, and I still look forward to understanding and learning more about it.
Patient experience in Canada (& those UK wait lists)
In the UK, one of the most frustrating aspects for patients is the very significant lack of egg donors, partly due to the nature of the healthcare system.
Coming to this point on your fertility journey – the point of thinking about IVF with egg donation – is rarely somebody’s ‘plan A’. And it’s a difficult conversation. We’re now tapping into maybe plan B, C or D, and asking them to go away and deliberate on this really difficult choice.
They may then come to a decision, saying ‘if this is what it takes to become a parent, I’ll go for it’, and then they’re faced with a potential two year wait for an egg donor to become available. It’s devastating and, I think, very unfair – I really feel for patients, and in Canadian practice, the difference is vast. Access to IVF with egg donation here is much, much easier.
Plus, another big difference that I’ve seen is the use of PGT (preimplantation genetic testing), and specifically PGT-A (for aneuploidy). It’s used much more widely here in Canada. And, I see the difference that it makes in pregnancy outcomes. It’s not a technology that’s very commonly employed in the NHS at least, and access varies across Europe.
Toronto makes it easier, all round
A couple of other key differences for me, and why I see patients and IPs heading to Toronto, from the UK, is the legal framework, and donor reimbursement approach.
In the UK, when I relocated, egg donors could claim up to £750 for their related expenses. So there’s a cap, and for many donors, this is inadequate. In Canada, there are zero caps on related expenses, which inevitably opens up your options and access.
Surrogacy and egg donation are legal and regulated by the Canadian government. Canada has a similar legal framework in all provinces and territories, protecting the rights of families of all kinds.
For example, in the province of Ontario where ReproMed Fertility is located, the All Families are Equal Act was updated in Ontario in 2016; declarations of parentage, as well as second parent adoptions, are no longer required in many circumstances to register a child’s birth in a parent’s name.
Why I joined ReproMed Fertility
Established in 1990, ReproMed Fertility is recognized as Canada’s first and most comprehensive provider of fertility medicine involving donors and surrogates. We have so much experience in dealing with third party reproduction. It’s a distinguished team, and sought after worldwide.
We have a team that’s very, very knowledgeable – able to hold your hand through this whole journey – and we’ve helped so many intended parents reach their fertility and family building goals.
In addition to that, we’re in partnership with a lot of star players working within this ecosystem. From legal support to psychologists, genetic counsellors and other crucial aspects, it’s all here.
Keen to connect with Dr Daphne Chong? Conveniently located in the world-famous city of Toronto, ReproMed Fertility offers seamless access to super-fast transportation links and other services, plus inroads to an excellent healthcare system.
Put Toronto on your list with ReproMed Fertility. They’re set up to get the ball rolling, as soon as you’re ready.
