November is National Adoption Month! Embryo adoption is a unique option which can help families experience the joys and challenges of pregnancy and childbirth. But with any adoption program, you may have some concerns about the process, especially if you have never heard about embryo adoption before. We have listed some common concerns we have heard many times before which can hopefully put you at ease as you consider this adoption path!

“Are there embryos available now? How long will the process take?”

This is by far the most common question families have when considering embryo adoption. Some programs have a long wait list, while others don’t have any embryos available at all. Typically, adoption agencies will have shorter matching times with more embryos available for adoption, while clinic donation programs have a longer wait list with a limited number of embryos.

“How much does it cost?”

We wish adoption could be free, but there are costs associated with the services provided to the adoptive family. Costs are going to vary by program. Clinic donation programs usually range between $6,000 – $10,000, while embryo adoption programs are usually between $13,000-$17,000. It is important to keep in mind that while agencies do have a higher overall cost, families receive more knowledge, support, and resources through the process than with a clinic donation program.

“I am worried about the FET process. What is it like?”

This can be especially concerning for families who have never gone through an FET (frozen embryo transfer) procedure before. While we are not medical professionals and cannot give you an exact layout of what the procedure is like, we can say it is generally a simple, outpatient procedure which requires minimal medicated preparation. You can view this video to learn more about the FET process.

“What are other people going to think when they find out we’re going though embryo adoption?”

It’s one thing to tell your friends and family you’re adopting, it’s another thing to explain to them you’re going through an embryo adoption. How do you explain the process to them? How do you answer their questions? We have a video you can watch that goes through how to speak with friends and family about this unique adoption choice!

“How do I tell my child they were born through embryo adoption?”

Oh boy! This is a huge concern for many to-be parents. This isn’t a traditional adoption, so how do you tell your child their adoption story without making it sound odd and strange (and potentially confusing)? The most important piece of advice we can give is this: When the story is normal for you, it will be normal for your child. Familiarize yourself with your child’s adoption story—start telling them the story while they are still in the womb! When you make it normal for them, they will not find it odd and strange. To learn more about telling children about their story, you can view our webinar here.

To learn more about embryo donation and adoption, visit EmbryoAdoption.org.

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