Baby Born Through Embryo Donation Years After Being Frozen, Stored

A couple that has difficulty conceiving may go through the timely and costly process of in vitro fertilization. If they are lucky enough to have healthy embryos after their family is complete, they are faced with a decision: to either destroy the embryos, donate them to science, or donate them to other private individuals. This third choice has been referred to as embryo adoption though it is not legally an adoption. The term adoption in the U.S. applies only to the placement of a child after they are born.

Assistive Reproductive Technology (ART) is on the rise in America. 284,385 ART cycles were attempted in the U.S. in 2017, with 78,052 resulting live births according to the Center for Disease Control. The CDC said the main type of ART reported in the U.S. is IVF, with an estimated 1.7% of all children born in the U.S. each year being conceived through ART.

The Tos of Colorado had their own “normal” in vitro fertilization experience when they used it to conceive their son, Lathan, in June 2013. However, their future baby was the product of the only viable embryo. After a failed round of IVF, they were debating traditional adoption when they saw an advertisement for embryo adoption.  The first attempt did not take, but the second time resulted in a healthy pregnancy with an embryo that had been frozen and stored for three years. “I got to experience the bond that comes with nursing and I got to carry Alex inside me for nine months and that was very special,” Michele To said.

The Tos also said they are hopeful about expanding their family again through embryo adoption and would like to choose an embryo genetically related to Alex.

See Alexandria Hein, Baby Born Through Embryo Donation Years After Being Frozen, Stored, Fox News, September 3, 2019.