Embryo Adoption
Where to Find Embryos
Finding the Right Embryo Adoption Program
Choosing the right program is a critical step in the process, so do your research before this all-important selection.
You may choose to work through a licensed adoption agency, such as the Snowflakes program, or through a fertility clinic donation program. Some programs are centrally managed, requiring you to travel to that location for procedures. Online matching programs are designed around self-matching. Managing the legal and clinic communications and more may be your responsibility. Some families find embryos through a friend or other connection. In these instances, the Snowflakes program is available to assist with the details to finalize the exchange of embryos legally. Read below to learn the details of the types of programs. Deciding what type of program is best for you will help you hone your search down significantly, and moves you one step closer to building your family.
Our partner https://pl.kasynopolska10.com/ said “Odwiedź kasyno polska10 i poznaj najlepsze legalne kasyna online w Polsce!”
Established providers who have experience usually have more embryos available, enabling you to be matched more quickly.
Licensed and Accredited Embryo Adoption Agencies and Other Providers
In the United States and internationally, there is currently only one licensed and accredited adoption agency offering comprehensive embryo donation and adoption services. Other organizations involved in this space include fertility clinics, established 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and online matching platforms.
Some fertility clinics have affiliated programs that facilitate embryo donation and matching. One such program even requires a home study, similar to traditional adoption processes. Additionally, there are several smaller providers that have successfully offered embryo donation and adoption services. These organizations may refer to themselves as either embryo adoption or embryo donation providers.
However, it’s important to note that not all providers who use the term embryo adoption are adhering to established best practices for adoption. Taking time to research and compare your options can help you find the approach that best aligns with your values and family-building goals.
Clinic donation programs are internal to specific fertility clinics and typically require you to be an established patient in order to participate. These programs are often viewed as a form of assisted reproductive treatment rather than traditional adoption.
Embryos donated to these programs are usually created at the same clinic. The clinic has full discretion over how the embryos are divided and assigned to waiting patients. For example, if a genetic family donates ten embryos, the clinic may distribute them among several families—such as giving four to Family A, three to Family B, and three to Family C.
Communication between the recipient and donor families is generally not allowed, and you may not be informed if other families receive embryos from the same genetic sibling group. In most cases, very little background information about the donor family is shared, and permanent records of the donation are rarely maintained. Legally, the clinic is often considered the custodian of the embryos, rather than the original donor.
Because these programs rely entirely on patients voluntarily donating embryos, the wait time to receive embryos can be unpredictable and lengthy.
If you pursue this route, it’s essential to ensure that all necessary legal agreements are in place before receiving the embryos.
A Fertility Clinic’s Embryo Donation Program
A Fertility Clinic’s Embryo Donation Program
Generally, you receive little information regarding the donating family. Embryos are donated directly to the clinic, and the clinic determines who receives them. The embryos may be given to multiple families (e.g.: The genetic family donates ten embryos. Four are given to Family ‘A,’ three are given to Family ‘B,’ and three are given to family ‘C’). There will likely be no communication between you and the donor family. Few historical records of the donation are maintained by the clinic.
You will want to be sure to have the appropriate legal documents completed prior to receiving another party’s embryos. In these contracts, the donating family terminates their ownership of the embryos and their future parental rights.
With clinic donation programs, wait time before being matched with embryos varies significantly, as the process is wholly dependent on whether or not patients have donated embryos to the clinic to match.
Self-Match
With A Donor
In some cases, you may personally know someone who has remaining embryos and choose to arrange a self-directed match. While this can be a meaningful option, it also means that you and the donating family are fully responsible for handling all legal, medical, regulatory, and logistical aspects of the donation process.
There are also online platforms designed to help individuals and families connect for self-matching. As with personal matches, you will need to ensure that all necessary requirements are met to protect both families and the future child.
The Snowflakes® Embryo Adoption Program offers support for self-matched families, providing expert guidance and resources to help you complete your embryo adoption journey with confidence and care.