Couples who have been diagnosed with infertility and still strongly desire to experience pregnancy and childbirth may believe they have run out of options. But, have they considered Embryo Adoption?

November is National Adoption month and includes both Orphan Sunday and Embryo Adoption Awareness Day.

Embryo Adoption Awareness Day is a one-day campaign to raise awareness about an alternative to family building that has risen in popularity over the last several years, though it remains one of the least known forms of adoption.

Families with remaining embryos from in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments can gift them to another couple for adoption. The adopting mothers have the opportunity to become pregnant and deliver the child, and the fathers also participate in the pre-natal experience of their partner. Embryo adoption is a unique and successful adoption option for those who are interested in an infant adoption.

Awareness is rising about embryo adoption. The first embryo adoption program, Snowflakes, celebrated 20 years of service this year. During the last few years, embryo adoption has gotten more recognition from the media with stories on television, newspapers and radio nearly every week.

The number of babies born as a result of embryo adoption has also increased. Among the organizations providing embryo adoption services, over 1,500 babies have been born into loving families. The reasons for the increase include:

  • Affordability—Embryo adoption is less expensive than IVF and often less expensive than domestic adoption.
  • Success—The transfer to pregnancy success rate averages 50% – twice as high as pregnancy success using natural intercourse.
  • Availability—In the USA more cycles of IVF are completed each year and as a result more embryos remain unused and in frozen storage.  Many embryo adoption agencies have donated embryos available now, whereas most fertility clinics have waiting lists of patients wishing to receive donated embryos.

For more information about embryo adoption and donation, visit embryoadoption.org.

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