If you have remaining embryo from previous IVF cycles and are considering placing them with an adoptive family, you may find yourself asking some important questions about your role in the adoption process.
What Does an ‘Embryo Donor’ Look Like? Do We Qualify?
Embryo placing families, commonly referred to as embryo donors, come from many different backgrounds.
In some cases, both parents may be genetically related to the embryos they are donating, while other couples may have created their embryos with an egg and/or sperm donor. Whichever the case, families from a variety of circumstances may be eligible to place their embryos with an adoptive family.
To be eligible to donate remaining embryos to another family, your fertility clinic must have detailed records about the embryos, including the embryology report, infectious disease test results, egg and/or sperm donor profiles and consents, to name a few. These records are essential, as they help determine what embryos are available for adoption, as well as what clinics may be able to accept the embryos, thereby determining an ability to match the embryos. If one or some of these records are unable to be obtained, you will not be able to place your embryos for adoption.
In addition to these records, some families are required to complete additional bloodwork, per FDA guidelines that fertility clinics follow.
What Do We Have to Do to Place Our Embryos for Adoption?
While some families consider pursue a “self-match,” navigating the legal, medical, and logistical paperwork on your own can quickly become overwhelming. Fertility clinics also have specific criteria and policies, and without proper documentation in place, they may decline to release embryos.
Working with an established embryo adoption program helps ensure:
- Proper legal contracts are completed
- Fertility clinic requirements are met
- Expectations are clearly outlined for everyone involved
Once the transfer of ownership is complete, the adoptive parents assume full responsibility for the embryos and any children born from those embryos. You will no longer be financially responsible for storage fees, nor will you carry legal responsibility for the embryos or any resulting children.
What Can We Expect in the Future? Will We Play a Role in the Child’s Life?
This depends largely on the level of openness you choose.
Some placing families build a relationship with the adoptive family that grows into a genuine friendship. In open embryo adoptions, adoptive parents not only share age-appropriate information with their children about their story, including the role their placing family played, but may also connect directly with the placing family, whether by phone or video chat, email, or in person. These relationships can provide children with a strong sense of identity, connection, and understanding of their heritage.
Knowing where they came from, and knowing they were thoughtfully placed, can be deeply grounding for a child.
Other families prefer limited or no ongoing contact. While many children may never actively seek out their placing family, we live in a world where information and technology continue to evolve. It is wise, therefore, to consider the long-term perspective.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right decision is the one made thoughtfully, prayerfully, and with the future child’s well-being in mind.
Placing embryos for adoption is an act of intention and care. Whatever path you choose, taking the time to consider these questions is a meaningful first step.
To learn more about embryo adoption & donation, visit EmbryoAdoption.org.
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