For those of us who have experienced infertility, we know it can be a very lonely, confusing, and often seemingly endless road. Aside from the emotional toll it can take on a marriage, it presents a tremendous financial burden as well. Most couples who have difficulty conceiving after a year of trying naturally are encouraged by fertility specialists to consider IVF. Though the IVF process has a much higher success rate than other forms of fertility treatments, it remains very costly and presents an ethical dilemma for many couples who find themselves with extra embryos after successful transfer.
The choices presented to couples with additional embryos include saving them for additional transfer attempts, donating them to science, destroying the embryos, or donating the remaining embryos to another infertile couple. For those opting to donate their embryos to another infertile couple, they can choose to do this anonymously or through a process known as embryo adoption.
As the proud and humble recipient of embryos through the embryo adoption process, I can’t sing enough praises about this unique opportunity to build your family!
This Q&A addresses several aspects of the embryo donation/adoption process that couples considering this option should know.
Q: I understand the IVF process uses your own embryos. How is this different from embryo donation/adoption?
A: Like traditional IVF, the embryo donor recipient will undergo a thorough medical evaluation to ensure there are no medical issues that would prevent a successful transfer of embryos.
Q: What’s the difference between an open and closed embryo donation agreement?
A: Similar to domestic adoption, a “closed” donor agreement means you have limited information about the donors outside of medical history and will not be provided with their personal information. In “open” agreements, the recipient couple and donor couple are able to negotiate a level of openness through a legal document provided by the clinic or agency performing the embryo transfer.
After an embryo adoption is complete, the process is similar to IVF in that the adoptive mother would work with the fertility clinic to develop a plan to prepare her for a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET). Some agencies allow for semi-open adoptions.
Q: What costs are involved?
A: Through the embryo donation process, recipients generally don’t pay for the initial IVF procedures used to create the embryos. Recipients may, however, be financially responsible for any additional testing performed on the embryos and for storage and transportation fees. Legal and program fees vary depending on the state and agency involved. Medical costs are to be covered by recipients as well. Also, there is no additional cost to the donating family.
Q: What are the legal implications associated with embryo donation/adoption?
A: Since laws vary from state to state, it’s important that you find an experienced attorney or agency to work with to ensure all parties are offered legal protections and documents are in place prior to the embryo transfer.
Q: Where can I find out more about embryo donation/adoption?
A: To learn more about the process, I recommend couples visit The National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) website at www.embryodonation.org. The NEDC is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Also, check out www.embryoadoption.org. It provides a wealth of information and options.
Information for this Q&A was excerpted from an article titled “Introduction to Donor Embryo” found in the 2015 edition of the magazine Building Your Family. Sources include RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association (articles at resolve.org), the editors of Building Your Family, and Meryl Rosenberg of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (www.adoptionattorneys.com/aaarta/home).
Author: Sarah Kate Hooper
Email: nashville@waitinginhopeinfertility.com
