Embryo Donation and Adoption has touched the lives of infertile couples everywhere.
In fact, today there are eight at least Embryo Adoption programs, along with over 200 fertility clinics with donation programs in the United States alone.
But there is one common thread between all of the families who have pursued this option: each owns a unique and inspiring story.
Chad and Kari Bonnema, from Grand Haven, Michigan, are certainly no exception. The couple’s story is one of challenge, perseverance, and ultimate success.
The Bonnemas had been struggling with infertility for some time when they began looking into domestic adoption. They had already adopted one child through a local agency and were moving forward on adopting a second child when they heard about Embryo Adoption through a radio program which deals with family issues.
“It sounded like such a great option,” said Kari. “But we had already started the process of our second adoption, so we thought, ‘Well, maybe that’s an option for our third child.’”
Throughout the process of domestic adoption, Kari felt the tug on her heartstrings of a strong desire: she wanted to experience the joys of pregnancy.
“We had a friend who was pregnant at the time and we kind of saw her going through that whole process,” Kari said. “And I think my husband saw that and said, ‘I really want that for you.’”
So the Bonnemas began to research more about Embryo Donation and Adoption. The Bonnemas elected to work through a clinic donation program at The Fertility Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In the fall of 2005, the Bonnemas received two donated embryos. But this first attempt at achieving a pregnancy was unsuccessful.
“We kind of started to feel like maybe this is going to be our family – two kids and that’s it,” said Chad. “And that would have been fine.”
But once again, there was a feeling that they should give it another chance.
“One of the reasons we kept trying was that we wanted to give Kari that chance to experience pregnancy,” said Chad. “That life experience is a big deal.”
So, three years later, the Bonnemas elected to try again, once more receiving two donated embryos in December of 2008. Once again neither embryo took, and a pregnancy never occurred.
But the Bonnemas weren’t about to give up yet in their quest to achieve a pregnancy. Read about how the couple finally found success with embryo donation and adoption in next week’s blog…
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