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Frozen Embryo Transfer
Pregnancy itself is a unique experience in a woman’s life. Most women conceive easily and naturally, but some women face complications during conception. So there are certain artificial reproductive techniques (ART), like in vitro fertilization, in which mature eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and artificially fertilized by sperm in the lab. The fertilized egg is known as an embryo. Sometimes, during in vitro fertilization, embryos are frozen for later use.
Some couples donate their embryos to those who are unable to conceive. Adopting frozen embryos allows the genetic parents to give their embryos a chance for life. It offers you an opportunity to have children and experience pregnancy. Not only does the procedure help infertile women, but it also benefits couples who plan to start their families late. The first successful case of frozen embryo transfer was reported in 1983. Frozen Embryo Transfer FET is popular for its satisfactory pregnancy success rate and safety.
What is Adopting Frozen Embryo?
Embryo adoption is an assisted reproduction process that enables parents to use an existing embryo produced through IVF. Couples who choose to pursue embryo adoption don’t have to wait for egg or sperm donation. Once the embryo is adopted, best practices are used for the placement of the embryo from the donor to the recipient or adopter. Although medically, FET is a simple medical procedure that increases the chances of getting pregnant, it has many social and emotional effects for the adopting triad.
Is Embryo Adoption Cheaper Than IVF?
In simple terms, embryo adoption is easier and cheaper than going through all of the in vitro fertilization processes. In fact, transferring donated embryos is less expensive than almost any alternative to natural pregnancy achievement.
Adoption can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The complete IVF process consists of several steps, including sperm donor, egg donor, embryologist, and legal authorities. Every step costs you an investment of time and money. When we talk about embryo adoption, many of these costs are already removed.
Can I Adopt at the Age of 50?
Studies suggest that many women in their 50’s who have been implanted with a donor embryo have a good chance of giving birth to a healthy baby. One more study shows that out of 14 women aged between 50 to 55 who were implanted with embryos donated by young women, 8 experienced successful pregnancy. The study concludes that women in their 50’s, when well selected, can enjoy satisfactory pregnancy rates.
How Do I Adopt an Embryo?
Embryo adoption procedures may vary in different cases or for different agencies. However, there are a few main steps you have to follow if you want to adopt an embryo. The process consists of the following steps:
- Embryo donation
- Agency selection
- Home study
- Matching
- Legal paperwork
- Embryo transfer
It all starts when a couple opts to donate a healthy embryo to needy couples who struggle to start their family. Different agencies facilitate the coordination between adopting and donating couples. They assist in all the processes of adoption, medical, and counseling.
A home study is completed by the adopting parents to show their readiness to raise an adopted child. Donating and adopting families’ concerns are brought to the table to find a suitable match, and then legal contracts are signed. After this, the medical procedure is carried out.
What Is a Snowflake Embryo?
“Snowflake embryo” is the term used for frozen embryos because, like snowflakes, each embryo is frozen and unique. This term is often used by organizations working to promote the adoption of frozen embryos left over from IVF. Similarly, “snowflake baby” is the term used for the child born through the process of adopting a frozen embryo.
Embryo Adoption Pros and Cons
Like any other process, embryo adoption also has its pros and cons. One of the most admirable pros of embryo adoption is that it gives hope to many women and enables them to enjoy the beautiful experience of motherhood and childbirth. Secondly, it is cheaper and easier than the complete IVF process. Moreover, adoptions are done through a completely legal process, and counseling is provided for both the donor and adopting parents.
On the other hand, there are some serious concerns that should be taken seriously. There can be long waiting lists as most of the time demands of the donating parents do not match the available resources. It may lead to the development of a black market for adoption. Embryo adoption can create a genetic risk for the child.
Donating Frozen Embryos to Other Couples
Once embryos are developed by using the IVF technique, it is up to the couple to utilize all of the healthy embryos for themselves or donate some of them to needy couples. If you think your family is complete, you always have the option to donate the frozen embryo.
Many agencies and organizations are working to promote embryo donation and adoption. You can donate after finding a suitable couple who are ready to adopt an embryo. Frozen embryos can be transferred into the womb after suitable preparation of the lining of the womb.
Oftentimes, natural pregnancy can occur when it was otherwise thought impossible. Read our articles on infertility workshop, detoxing for fertility and the like. Happy baby making however your journey takes you.