Myths About Embryo Adoption

Myths About Embryo Adoption There are many ways to build a forever family. One of the most unique opportunities for doing so is embryo adoption. In this type of adoption, an adoptive couple receives embryos from a donating family (usually through an organization that facilitates the donation). The couple then has the opportunity to become pregnant and give birth to their adopted child. While embryo adoption has many advantages, there are also a number of misconceptions that make it appear more difficult or risky than it actually is. Deciding whether to pursue this type of adoption means understanding the truth behind these myths.

Following are a few of these misconceptions and the truth behind them.

The donor can take the child later.

A common fear regarding embryo adoption is that the family who donated the embryos may eventually decide to take back the children

born from the embryos. This fear is generally rooted in a lack of understanding regarding the embryo adoption process and the law.

During the adoption process, the donating family signs legally binding documents surrendering their rights to the embryos. In addition, the law recognizes the children born from the embryos as the child of the woman who carried them. As a result, the donor cannot legally exercise any claim on the children born from the donated embryos. At times, there may be an agreement between you and the donor that any unused embryos will be returned to the donor. This is the only instance in which the donor may expect to take embryos back. As a result, while it is wise to make sure that you and the donating family are on the same page regarding expectations for future contact with any children who are born from the embryos, any children who come from those embryos cannot be claimed by the donors.

Your chances of getting pregnant with an adopted embryo are very poor.

Another common misconception adoptive couples have regarding embryo adoption is that they face a smaller chance of carrying a successful pregnancy with an adopted embryo than if they pursue IVF or other fertility options. While some embryos prove to be unusable after being thawed, the actual chances of successfully carrying an embryo to birth is not compromised by the fact that the embryos are frozen. There are a number of reasons that the embryos you receive through the embryo adoption program are likely to be viable embryos:  Most embryos that are donated come from families who have successfully had children themselves from their own frozen embryos. This increases the likelihood that the embryos you adopt will be viable.  Most embryos, before they are frozen, are tested for quality and viability. As a result, the chances are very good that the embryos you adopt are healthy and strong and, therefore, give you an

excellent chance at enjoying a successful pregnancy and a healthy child.

Embryo donation is expensive.

Sometimes, adoptive couples approach embryo adoption with trepidation because they are under the impression that the process is expensive. In fact, a common misconception is that embryo adoption is as expensive as or more expensive than IVF. The thought of spending tens of thousands of dollars on the process can make embryo adoption seem unappealing to some adoptive couples.

The truth, however, is that embryo adoption is actually a relatively inexpensive way to build your forever family. For instance, the typical embryo adoption costs less than $10,000, not including embryo transfer fees. This expense is significantly lower than fees for infant domestic adoption and international adoption. It is also much less expensive than a single round of IVF, which can cost around $15,000, and sometimes more. Embryo adoption also does not carry many of

the fees associated with IVF. In addition, embryo donors cannot be paid for their donation. As a result, embryo adoption is actually within the financial reach of many adoptive couples.

There is little background information available in an embryo adoption.

Infant domestic adoption and older child adoption both tend to provide significant background information to the adoptive families.

For instance, medical history, family history, and more are usually available to help adoptive families manage their children's healthcare and allow their children to learn about their pasts as they grow up. A common misconception about embryo adoption is that this type of background is not as widely available for donated embryos. The truth, however, is that, just as with other types of adoption, extensive histories are available for embryo adoption.

For instance, when you pursue embryo adoption, you will generally

receive medical histories on the embryos. This might include the results of any tests for diseases that the embryos have undergone, medical histories of the donors and their families, and any relevant genetic histories. You may also learn information about the backgrounds of the families donating the embryos. In addition, many donors agree to provide any additional information that may be necessary later on, giving you the confidence that you will have the facts you need to manage your child's questions and healthcare throughout their childhood.

Embryo adoption gives you the unique opportunity to experience pregnancy and to give birth to your adopted child. As a result, it provides an appealing option for families who want that experience.

There are a number of misconceptions about this type of adoption, from believing that the donor can come take the child back later to believing that the process is expensive, getting pregnant with the embryos is difficult, and background information is lacking. However, understanding the truth behind these myths can help you to better understand the process and make a more informed decision about whether embryo adoption is right for your family.