Some embryo adoption programs are able to coordinate the shipment of embryos to the clinic of your choice, or to a facility with whom they have an established relationship.
You may be thinking, “Embryos are fragile! Is it safe to ship them from one IVF lab to another?”
The short answer, yes.
The long answer, embryo shipments are closely monitored, shipped in nitrogen-charged tanks, and take place within 24 hours. Let’s break that down.
Closely Monitored: The sending facility, the receiving facility, the shipping company, and your donor coordinator monitor embryo shipments (if you have one). Many eyes are following your embryo shipment. Some shipping companies even offer 24/7 temperature monitoring!
Nitrogen Charged Tanks: According to Cryoport, “A dry shipper is a specialized shipping tank that is pre-treated with liquid nitrogen. It is rigorously tested before each use, to ensure its ability to keep your samples safely frozen for up to 10 days.” Dry shippers are a standard way to ship embryos. In the unlikely event that there is a delay with your embryo shipment; the tank will keep the embryos frozen for 10 days! You can rest assured that your embryos will not thaw during the transportation process.
24-hour period: The majority of embryo shipments take place overnight, or within a 24-hour period. An embryo tank is sent to the original facility, the embryos are packed up, and then the tank is sent to the intended receiving facility through priority mail. The embryos are typically in the tank for less than 24 hours, ensuring that they remain safely frozen along the say.
Shipping embryos may be a necessary step during your embryo donation or adoption journey. Make sure that your shipping partner of choice closely monitors their shipments, utilizes dry shippers, and prioritize keeping the embryos in the tank for less than 24 hours. Happy Shipping!
To learn more about embryo donation and adoption, visit EmbryoAdoption.org.
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