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Donor Embryos: Biologically , embryo adoption is exactly the same as a traditional adoption , in that the child and the parents have no genetic linkage. However , here the resemblance ends. Whereas with traditional adoption it is a child who is adopted after birth, in embryo adoption the infertile couple adopts an embryo before pregnancy.

However , the sad tragedy is that there are just not enough babies available for adoption. Not only is the demand for adopting babies increasing day by day as infertility becomes more prevalent , the supply of unwanted babies being put up for adoption by the mother has become drastically reduced.

It is ironic that while the technology of contraception and abortion has reduced the availability of adoptable children, assisted reproductive technology now offers a new option to infertile couples. This is the option of embryo adoption.

There are many advantages to embryo adoption. There is no waiting list; and the infertile woman gets to experience the pleasure of pregnancy and birth. This obviously enhances bonding between the infertile couple and the child. Another major advantage is that there is no social stigmata involved ; and the couple does not need to get permission from family members or disapproving in-laws. Also , since these embryos are usually of high quality, the success rates are better than 50% per cycle. The only disadvantage is that the treatment can be quite expensive.

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Many infertile couples are happy to explore the option of adoption in order to build their family when IVF treatment fails.

They naively believe that after going through the ordeal of many failed IVF cycles, adopting a baby will be a piece of cake. However, many find to their dismay that there just aren't that many babies available for adoption anymore !

In one sense, this is hardly surprising ! With improving levels of education and the empowerment of women, unmarried girls use contraception and terminate unwanted pregnancies. Very few women will now carry an unwanted pregnancy all the way to term.

However, while the number of abandoned babies is gradually shrinking, the number of infertile couples is progressively rising. There are now long waiting lists - and many adoption agencies just do not have any babies available for adoption ! The ones they do have are often much older; or have a disability, which means many infertile couples are not happy about adoption them, because most would prefer a healthy newborn.

The good news is that there is now a newer option available, to help many couples satisfy their desire for a baby, if they are willing to consider adoption. This is the option of embryo adoption. Unfortunately, this is a choice which not many infertile couples are aware of. Sadly, even social workers in adoption agencies and gynecologists are not familiar with this new advance.

What does embryo adoption involve ? Rather than adopt a baby, couples adopt embryos ! The option has many advantages.

• There are no waiting lists
• The success rates are high
• Couples get to experience pregnancy and birth
• There is no social stigma, since the name on the baby's birth certificate is the infertile couple's
• There is no need for the couple to get permission for this decision from family members

Where do these embryos come from ?

These are supernumerary embryos which young infertile couples going through IVF freeze and store for themselves. If they get pregnant in their fresh IVF cycle, many are happy to donate their embryos to other infertile couples, to help them build their family. Embryo adoption is usually anonymous and confidential.

You can read more about our embryo adoption program here.