What Happens When Embryo Adoption Doesn’t Work

Embryo adoption has a relatively high rate of success when compared with many other alternative family building options. That doesn’t mean it’s successful for everyone.

There are many reasons an embryo adoption won’t work, including the health of the mother and her ability to carry a pregnancy or even the viability of the embryos that have been adopted. If embryo adoption fails, what options do you have?

• Pregnancy is never a guarantee with embryo adoption (nor for embryo donation in a clinic setting).  That being said, most embryo adopting families will achieve pregnancy within after 2-3 transfers.  If you don’t have success with your first FET and you don’t have any embryos left, most embryo adoption agencies will match you with another donor family.
• Surrogacy. If you’ve discovered that you are unable to carry a pregnancy, having a surrogate carry your adopted embryo could be an option. The cost of surrogacy can be high (upwards of $100,000 in some cases) and not every agency will work with a surrogate. The list of agencies on www.embryoadoption.org will indicate those agencies open to surrogacy.
• Domestic or international adoption. There are many agencies available to help you with domestic, international or foster adoption; research your options carefully.
• Choosing not to parent. Every couple should discuss their stopping point. Knowing your limits (whether they are emotional, physical, or financial) is healthy.  If embryo adoption doesn’t work for you, you may decide this is the end of your journey. If you decide to stop, that’s okay.

Looking for other options? Visit www.embryoadoption.org to learn more about fertility solutions that could be right for your family.

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