What is Embryo Adoption?

Understanding Embryo Adoption vs. Embryo Donation

The terms "embryo donation" and "embryo adoption" can sometimes be confused. When you're just starting to learn about this option, it's easy to assume that "embryo donation" is when someone donates an embryo and "embryo adoption" is when someone receives an embryo, but this is not the case. While both refer to a process in which donated embryos are used in hopes of achieving a pregnancy, the processes are quite different. 

On this page, we outline the key differences between embryo donation vs. adoption to help you make the best choice for your family.

Embryo Adoption vs. Embryo Donation

What is embryo adoption, and how does it work compared to embryo donation?

The primary difference between embryo adoption and embryo donation is the costs, process, and timeline — while embryo adoption requires a bit of a lengthy process, the embryo donation process is straightforward.

Key Differences: Cost, Process, and Timeline

• Embryo Adoption:
  • Cost: $10,000 – $15,000 for matching services, excluding pre-testing, medications, and transfer. Embryo adoption also requires a home study costing $2,000 – $3,500.
  • Process: Involves a legal adoption process, often requiring a home study and legal contracts.
  • Timeline: Typically takes 8-14 months before embryo transfer.

• Embryo Donation:
  • Cost: Begins at $9,400 per cycle (excluding pre-testing, medications, and transfer).
  • Process: Generally nonidentified and facilitated by the fertility clinic. No home study is required.
  • Timeline: At Donor Nexus, the process can typically be completed within 2-3 months of securing a donor embryo. 

At Donor Nexus, we offer embryo donation cycles. However, our flexible program includes Open ID embryo donations, which share many similarities with embryo adoption.

Similarities:

• Medical/Transfer Fees are Separate: The frozen embryo transfer and other medical costs are paid to your fertility clinic and can vary based on your choice of provider, clinic location, insurance coverage, and other factors.
• Success Rates: There is no difference in success rates.
• Where the Embryos Come From: In both embryo adoption and embryo donation programs, embryos are typically donated by patients who have completed their IVF treatments and have leftover embryos. 
• End Goal: Both embryo adoption and embryo donation involve using donated frozen embryos in IVF with the hope of achieving a healthy pregnancy.

Defining "Adoption" and "Donation" to Better Understand the Differences

• Embryo Adoption: This process views the embryo as a child, requiring recipients to undergo a comprehensive legal process to “adopt” the embryo.

• Embryo Donation: This process views the embryo as a gift that is being donated. Recipients accept ownership without the extensive legal requirements of adoption.

Benefits of the Donor Nexus Embryo Donation Program

• Many patients deliver within one year of starting the process.
• No waitlist.
• No home study required.
• High success rates.
• Flexible options for Open ID or Closed donations.
• Our database features multiple embryos from the same donors, offering a chance for genetic siblings.
• Choice of genetic traits from donor profiles, including family history and social background.
• Clear legal guardianship as intended parents, with your names on the birth certificate.