Any adoption program comes with advantages and risks. Here are some that we compiled for embryo adoption:

Advantages

Allows adoptive mother to experience pregnancy and child birth

Many families who cannot conceive grieve that they will never experience pregnancy. In embryo adoption, when the adoptive mother has received a successful frozen embryo transfer (FET), she gets to experience all of the joys of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Prenatal bonding and care

Being able to form a bond beginning in-utero can be a precious gift for adopting couples. With embryo adoption, the adopting family can start this bond right from the beginning, not just when the child is born. The adoption family also gets control over the pre-natal care. They will ensure a healthy diet and lifestyle. They will select the type of childbirth experience they desire. It allows them to enjoy peace of mind that comes from knowing they have given their adopted child the best start in life possible.

More cost effective

In the United States, domestic adoption costs an average of $25,000-$30,000. An international adoption can cost upwards of $50,000! The process of embryo adoption, including agency fees, home study costs, and one FET will average $12,000-$15,000 (which is often less expensive than one IVF cycle!).

Most secure adoption placement

In the United States, the woman who gives birth to a child is identified as the child’s legal mother and the man she is married to is identified as the legal father. Their names are placed directly on the birth certificate. No further legal actions are necessary. Placing parents relinquish their parental rights and responsibilities before the birth of the child.

Risks

No guarantee of all embryos surviving

Unfortunately, science has not come to a point where we are able to determine whether or not an embryo has survived the freezing process without first thawing the embryo. There is a good chance some of your embryos will not survive the thaw and you cannot transfer them. However, it is important to note that most embryo adoption agencies have re-matching policies if your embryos don’t survive.

No guarantee of pregnancy

Every embryo has the potential to become a baby, but that does not guarantee that every embryo will become a baby. It is possible that you may transfer some embryos and they will not implant, resulting in no pregnancy. Again, many agencies do have re-matching policies in place in case you do not give birth to your adopted child from your embryos.

Risks associated with pregnancy

As stated above, pregnancy is an advantage with embryo adoption, though it may be considered a risk as well. Along with the joys of pregnancy, adoptive mothers can also face the challenges and risks associated with pregnancy through embryo adoption. It is important to double check with your gynecologist or fertility doctor that you have no contraindications to pregnancy before pursuing embryo adoption.

 

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

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