Embryo Donation

Another option in the world of assisted reproduction is embryo donation and adoption. Currently, hundreds of thousands of embryos are in cryogenic storage across the United States. Many couples achieve pregnancy success before they use all of their embryos that were created during the in vitro fertilization process and frozen for future use.

If a couple does not plan to or cannot attempt pregnancy again, they are faced with a difficult decision about the future of their frozen embryos. While long-term affects are not known, embryos have survived up to 12 years of cryopreservation to produce a viable pregnancy after thaw and transfer. Unfortunately, the Fertility Center must limit the number of years that embryos can remain in storage at our Chattanooga facility due to space constraints. Embryos can be removed from storage and left at room temperature to expire, or they can be donated to research. 

An alternative, which many feel is the most life-honoring solution, is to donate embryos to couples who are unable to conceive a child of their own due to female-factor and/or male-factor issues. Some women experience premature ovulation failure or early menopause, and fertilization of their eggs is virtually impossible even with micromanipulation technology. In other cases, men may not have any sperm available to attempt fertilization. Without viable eggs and sperm, these couples are not candidates for IVF and have no hope of pregnancy or childbirth with their own gametes.

Couples who have struggled with infertility are often more than willing to share the blessing of potential children with others. The Fertility Center helps match these generous couples with men and women who have not yet achieved their dream of parenthood. All embryo donations and adoptions coordinated through the Fertility Center are completely anonymous. Couples who wish to participate in open embryo adoptions are referred to the Snowflakes Program through Nightlight Adoptions.   

The first step for potential embryo donors is completing an application and providing medical records. Both men and women are asked to give medical and genetic histories and may be required to undergo minor blood testing. These couples have already been screened for infectious diseases prior to participation in an IVF cycle as mandated by federal regulations. Adopting couples cover all fees and expenses so there are no costs involved for couples who donate embryos. The entire process is handled in-house at the Fertility Center, so no additional fees for outside agencies or contracted services are involved. 

Donor couples also must complete an anonymous medical history form and sign consent forms relinquishing all rights of embryo ownership to the Fertility Center and ultimately an anonymous adopting couple. Some couples choose to restrict to whom their embryos are donated – for example, only out-of-town couples or no same-sex couples. However, the genetic parents have no legal claim to any children resulting from the transfer of adopted embryos.

An anonymous profile is created for each group of donated embryos, including the date of cryopreservation, the number frozen and the embryonic stage at freezing as well as medical details and physical characteristics of both the genetic father and mother.

Couples who wish to adopt embryos are required to undergo the same screening process as participants in the Fertility Center’s IVF Program (see the Lab Services section under baby-making alternatives on this website). They also must sign a consent form. The cost for an embryo adoption is $4,900 and does not include any obstetrical care or services after pregnancy is achieved.

Screened adopting couples are added to a waiting list, since more couples are available than donated embryos at this time. As soon as embryos are donated to the Fertility Center, the couple with priority on the waiting list is invited to preview the embryo profiles. 

Women who will carry the adopted embryos are scheduled for a preliminary exam by one of the Fertility Center’s reproductive endocrinologists. Prior to an embryo transfer, the uterine lining and hormone levels of each patient are monitored by ultrasound scans and blood work.

While the Fertility Center’s Embryo Donation Program is still new, our clinic has been pleased to coordinate 14 embryo donation/adoption cycles, with many successful pregnancies and pending transfers resulting. Although not all embryos survive the freeze/thaw process and not all transfers result in a pregnancy, the Fertility Center’s success rate for frozen transfers ranges from 60 to 70% (slightly higher than the national average). Embryologist Susan Walker coordinates the program and can be reached at 423.899.0500 ext. 215 or susan@myfertilitycenter.com. Please contact her directly if you need more information or wish to schedule a free consultation appointment for either embryo donation or embryo adoption.