Embryo adoption, one of the truly amazing new ways to adopt.

Frozen embryos are a source of hope for couples trying to have children. Whether they hope to have their first child or add more children to their clan. Embryo adoption gives people the opportunity to experience pregnancy and give birth. Many families who choose embryo adoption have already adopted children through domestic, international or even foster adoption. Often, when they discover the embryo adoption alternative they are excited to think about not only the chance to adopt a child, but to experience pregnancy and give birth to their adopted child. Embryo adoption is truly an amazing adoption choice.

Where do frozen embryos come from?

But where do these embryos come from? Are they created specifically for donation to another person? No. These embryos are the fertilized eggs that remain from another couple's in vitro fertilization treatment. Sometimes these couples will use purchased donor eggs and/or semen to create their embryos. There are more than 500,000 embryos in frozen storage in the United States. Most of these embryos are stored for use by the families who created them. However, a certain percentage of these embryos are being donated to other families. Since the mid-90s it is estimated that over 3000 children have been born in the U.S. through the practice of embryo donation and adoption.

The process of embryo adoption is not complicated.

Adopting embryos is a fairly straight-forward process. People who have remaining frozen embryos legally agree to release them to another couple. When working through an embryo adoption agency, a process is used to match the donor and adopted based on preferences each has provided on their application form. It is similar to the process of matching a birth mother with an adopting family.

In the United States embryos are viewed as property and therefore it is important that appropriate legal contracts are signed between the parties transferring the ownership of the embryos and incorporating language regarding the termination of all parental rights.

Both couples should receive counseling regarding their decision to donate or receive embryos. Counseling the donor family helps them understand and manage the emotional-social aspects of having children genetically related to their children, raised in another family. Counseling for the adopting family prepared and helps them to anticipate and understand the issues and experiences that may arise in raise a child who is not genetically related to them.

While embryo adoption agencies will encourage an open adoption between the families, the level and frequency of future communications will be mutually determined by those families, not the agency. Anonymous donation is an option, but based on the professional experience of adoption agencies, not recommended. An open adoption is a benefit to the donor, the adopter and the child.

After the legal contracts are executed, the embryos may be shipped to another clinic where the adopting family wishes to have the frozen embryo transfer (FET) performed, or the adopting family may use the clinic where the embryos were created and are stored.

The adopting family and their physician determine how many of the embryos should be thawed for the frozen embryo transfer (FET) procedure. Embryos are thawed and transferred into the adopting mother's womb with the hope that they will implant into the uterine lining and continue their biological development to birth.

At the time of birth, the adopting couple is fully recognized as the legal parents to any children born. The mother who physically gives birth is recognized as the legal mother and the man to whom she is married at the time of birth is recognized as the legal father of the child(ren). These individuals are noted as the legal mother and legal father on the birth certificate(s).

To make this dream a reality, to adopt a child that you give birth to, your next step will be to contact agencies or clinics which provide embryo donation and adoption services.

Of course, you'll want to determine if this approach is absolutely right for your family.

Financially embryo adoption is the least expensive form of adoption (compared to domestic or international adoption). The proven processes of adoption offer protection to all the parties involved. There is no guarantee that your frozen embryo transfer (FET) will result in a successful pregnancy. The good news is that a recent study shows women who use their own embryos will have a 32% chance of delivering to term, whereas women using adopted frozen embryos will have a 35% chance of delivering to term. [Fertility & Sterility, September 2007, (Vol. 88, pg. S267)]

Choosing the right program is critical, so do your research before this all-important selection. If you have already been pursuing assisted reproductive technology alternatives (ART), you likely have a preferred reproductive endocrinologist physician. Otherwise you may want to start researching local fertility clinics. A good referral may be made by your OB/Gyn.

You may choose to work through a clinic donation program or an agency adoption program. Some programs are centrally managed, requiring you to travel to that location for all procedures. Some programs will allow you to work with the doctor and clinic or your choice.