EDI’s very successful egg donation program cements us as one of the top agencies in the nation. We work with only the best IVF clinics and Reproductive Endocrinologists and are committed to offering our clients every egg donation option.
Intended Parents who are successful with in vitro fertilization and other state-of-the-art infertility treatments, may not have used all of their embryos or eggs. Many options are becoming more popular throughout the United States for embryo donation and embryo adoption cycles.
Cryopreservation for Future Use
Cryopreservation is the freezing and thawing of embryos for use in future in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.
During an IVF cycle, the fertilized eggs are transferred to incubators where they develop until ready for transfer to the uterus, usually 3-5 days.
The number of mature embryos available for transfer varies by patient, as does the number placed back in the uterus. Since the maximum number of embryos that will be transferred to the uterus is limited, there are often excess embryos.
Embryologists have perfected techniques for transferring embryos to different solutions as they are frozen and thawed. Great care is taken not to rupture the membrane surrounding the embryo. This technique preserves viable embryos at subzero temperatures where they can be thawed for later use, without any impact on their viability.
Advantages of Using Frozen Embryos
The major advantages to using frozen embryos in future IVF cycles is that the female does not have to undergo ovulation induction, which also dramatically reduces medication cost. If you are undecided about having additional children, or want other options for planning your future, freezing your embryos gives you
plenty of time to weigh your options. Although, success rates are variable depending on patient characteristics, embryo quality and clinical history.
Donating Your Frozen Embryos
If you decide to not use your embryos for future family building, you can donate them to another couple. Embryo donation is generally anonymous, and it involves donating your unused or leftover embryos to your fertility clinic for future patient use. The fertility clinic then facilitates the donation.
Adopting Frozen Embryos
Rather than receiving a gift or accepting ownership of embryos, embryo adoption recognizes each embryo as a child. Embryo adoption programs involve the donor parents selecting the intended parents that will receive the embryos.
Traditional adoption involves taking a child as your own and embryo adoption is similar in that many embryo adoption agencies require couples to complete a home study, which is a comprehensive family study conducted by a state licensed adoption agency. Additionally, a legal contract is drafted between the donor and recipient parties. It is not uncommon for embryo adoption agencies to have more exclusive requirements for the recipients.
Benefits of Embryo Adoption and Donation
When you donate or give your embryos up for adoption, you give the gift of hope to another infertile
couple. This generous act allows them to experience to joys of pregnancy and parenthood while giving you the sense you have truly helped someone in need.
Freezing for Your Future
Sometimes embryo donation, embryo adoption, or discarding the embryos does not align with your options but wanting to grow your future family much, much later on is. Taking charge of your fertility and family’s fertility by understanding your health and embryo freezing options for pregnancy later can be a good alternative as well.
Making the Right Choice
Egg Donation, Inc’s Southern California agency in Los Angeles is host to one of the most successful donor egg programs in the United States and the world. We are at the forefront of advances in egg donation. If you would like more information about which one might be the right one for you, be sure to contact our team for more information.