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Adoption, not Donation

Exploring Embryo Adoption

By Tracy Doerr

In February of 2000, the Brinkmans were notified that they had been chosen. Six months later, three embryos were thawed. Two survived the process and were implanted into Doni's uterus. One of those embryos went on to become the Brinkmans' dream come true. "We will be attempting another transfer in May of this year, and I am really hoping for more little redheads!" Brinkman says.

Susan Glass and her husband, Patrick, of Monroe, N.C., know the pain of infertility. In June of 1999, they attempted IVF for the first time, and 36 embryos were cryopreserved. In January 2000, 12 embryos were thawed and transferred, and the Glasses became pregnant with triplet baby girls: Mollie, Reilly and Sydney.

"Our lives really did change," Glass says. "Not all couples are blessed with the children they want. Our journey through infertility made this fact even more real. We feel a kinship with those who really desire to have children and can't. Together we decided to contact the organization I heard about, Snowflakes, and put our remaining 15 embryos up for adoption."

Adopting mothers must be physically able to carry a child to term. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) suggests that the genetic parents have current blood work results dated at least months post conception. ASRM currently recommends the following blood tests: AIDS (antibodies to HIV I and HIV II), Hepatitis (HbsAG, antibodies to hepatitis B and C, and E core antibody), Syphilis (VDRL [RPR] – if positive, then FTA or MHATP) and blood typing.

Many state laws determine that a woman who gives birth to a child is his/her parent, and few states have any statutes covering embryo adoption. All reputable specialists in this field recommend that contractual documents be drawn up between the genetic and adopting parents that clearly define the agreement.

Want to see more?

• High Tech Babies: In vitro Fertilization
• High Tech Babies: Artificial Insemination
• Donor Egg and Sperm
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!

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