Amazing advances have been made in the realm of reproductive medicine. Countless couples, who might not have otherwise been able to conceive and bear children, now have the opportunity to do so.
In Vitro Fertilization
Through a procedure called in vitro fertilization, or IVF, the ovaries of the mother are stimulated to produce a larger than normal quantity of eggs, to then be harvested and artificially fertilized with the father’s sperm. The eggs that successfully fertilize, called embryos, are then transferred into the mother with the hopes that at least one will implant in the womb.
Not long ago, it was necessary to transfer several embryos to give the couple the best chance for conception. Now, with the advances that have been made, pregnancies with multiple babies frequently result, and threaten the health of both the mother and babies. So, reproductive specialists typically choose to transfer as few as one or two embryos, often leaving several embryos that will be frozen and saved for later.
Embryo Donation & Adoption
When a couple decides that their family is complete, a new dilemma arises - what should they do with the embryos they have remaining in storage?
A new option has emerged to answer this question - embryo adoption. The couple donates their embryos to another couple, or single woman, for adoption. The adoptive mother then has the embryo(s) transferred into her uterus, and hopefully a pregnancy will result.
Why Embryo Adoption?
For couples or single women who long to experience pregnancy and childbirth, but cannot due to infertility or other reasons, embryo adoption can offer the best of both worlds.
The embryo grows inside its host mother until she delivers nine months later. The adoptive mother experiences all the joys and ailments of pregnancy and delivery. Some couples feel that this creates a stronger bond between parent and child than they might experience in even an infant adoption.
The other plus of embryo adoption is the sheer number of embryos available for adoption, though not all prospective donor couples choose to donate their frozen embryos for adoption. Additionally, the cost for an embryo adoption, and subsequent medical procedure for transfer, usually costs much less than an infant adoption- foreign or domestic.
Drawbacks to Embryo Adoption
Embryo adoption is still a relatively new arrangement in the legal world. What are the rights of the donor parents? What are the rights of the adoptive parents? Does the embryo have rights, too? The answers to these questions have yet to be completely ironed out. Often little is done to answer such questions until a situation arises that warrants it.
Another drawback to embryo adoption is that there is no guarantee that there will be a baby nine months later. The adoptive parents need to keep this in mind before they spend the time, money, and emotional resources to adopt, only to find themselves with empty arms and shattered dreams. It is vital to be realistic about the risks involved in any adoption situation.
Embryo adoption is an exciting option for infertile couples, or single women, hoping to experience the miracle of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the joy of adoption. It truly can be the best of both worlds.
Resource: Embryo Adoption Awareness Campaign, What is Embryo Donation & Adoption?.
Related Articles:
The Emotional Aspect of Adopting
The Financial Aspect of Adopting
Crystal Killion - Crystal Killion is a freelance writer and mother of five. She has worked with children in various capacities for over 20 years as a ...
