Donor embryo

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After completing the in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey, many families find themselves with remaining cryopreserved embryos at Shady Grove Fertility (SGF). As families grow and a patient feels their family is complete, there may come a time when continued embryo storage is no longer necessary.   

“At Shady Grove Fertility, patients may choose to store embryos with us indefinitely, but there will likely reach a point where that is no longer the optimal choice for them and their family,” shares Benjamin Harris, M.D., M.P.H., who provides patient care at SGF’s Richmond and Norfolk locations. “We want to make sure all patients are informed and educated about their options for disposition, when the time is right.”  

If you’re wondering what to do with your remaining embryos, SGF offers several thoughtful options — including the opportunity to make a profound impact through embryo donation.

Donate embryos to another family 

Embryo donation offers a unique change to help another hopeful family achieve their dream of bringing home a baby.  

“SGF believes everyone has the right to build their family, which is why we encourage patients to consider embryo donation,” shares Dr. Harris. “This is especially important in the African-American community, where couples seeking Black donor embryos are typically waiting more three years to match. We want to educate our patients about these shortages in the hope it inspires them to consider giving the gift of life.” 

How the embryo donation process works: 

  • SGF partners with Luminary Health Technologies to streamline embryo donation. Donors create de-identified profiles which include information about geographical location, physical characteristics, race, religion, and education.  
  • Expanded profiles also include information about a donor’s embryos, medical history, personal story, and embryo donation special conditions.  
  • Potential recipients view these profiles to find the best match.  

Interested in donating? Our team will guide you through the embryo donation process. 

Donate embryos to science 

Donating embryos to Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (HESC) is an option for patients who would like to aid scientific advancements in finding new ways to treat disease. The powerful instinct to give back to society can make donating to research a rewarding choice. Patients are responsible for finding a study and contacting the research team to explore donation options.  

Thaw and discard embryos 

For some, choosing to thaw and discard embryos may be the right path. This option includes: 

  • A member of the IVF laboratory withdrawing your embryos from a liquid nitrogen tank.   
  • The embryos will thaw without transferring them into culture media, after which they will cease to develop. 
  • The embryos are then discarded in an ethical and biologically appropriate manner.  

Alternatively, patients can bring their embryos home and discard them in a way that is personal and meaningful to them.  

“We want our patients to feel empowered to make the best decision for them and their families,” shares Dr. Harris. “We are always here to answer questions and will support our patients throughout the process.” Need guidance? 

For all these options, we advise patients to take the time needed to consider what choice is right for them. For more information: 

Embryo donation has the power to turn hope into reality. If your family is complete, consider giving another family the greatest gift of all – the change to grow theirs. 

Schedule Appointment
Medical contribution by Benjamin S. Harris, M.D., MPH

Benjamin S. Harris, M.D., MPH, is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Dr. Harris is passionate about educating patients and helping them understand the concepts underlying their unique set of reproductive circumstances.

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October 19, 2023 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

For Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. area patients.
Limit of 15 participants.

Making the decision to move forward with egg donation can be a medical, legal, and emotional shift for all prospective recipients.

This virtual donor recipient support group provides support for individuals and couples who are in various stages of treatment such as those contemplating the choice, embarking on and undergoing treatment to conceive as well as for patients who become parents through such means. The processing of the thoughts and feelings about the use of donated gametes can be very helpful as one prepares to move forward with this option, as well as having support from others who are having a similar experience. It can also be important to the long-term health and well being of the child (conceived) by donated gametes. More specifically, the group affords recipients benefit from exploring any concerns and expressing their feelings about having a child with someone else’s genetic material as well as to discuss when, how, what, to whom, and if to disclose to offspring.

The group is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to a video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.

For more information, please email Tara Simpson, Psy.D. Please include in your email what doctor, office and state you reside in.

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CNN Story Recap: A family from Iowa was looking to grow their family through adoption when they heard about embryo adoption. Intrigued, they looked into the process, and found that embryo adoption would be a perfect match. Knowing that not all the embryos might result in a healthy pregnancy, the couple decided to put back two embryos. Today, the happy couple is pregnant with triplets.

What is embryo adoption?

In some cases, men and women that have gone through the IVF or donor egg process, might have unused embryos after treatment. In which case, there is a decision to make: freeze and save the embryos for future use, discard the embryos, or donate them.

Is embryo adoption really adoption?

No. In most states, adoption only refers to the placement of a child after birth. Legal agreements are established to oversee the process of embryo donation to help protect the recipient parent’s relationship with the child. However, according to Dr. Paulette Browne of Shady Grove Fertility’s Fair Oaks, VA office, “this is solely dependent on the family law and family judges in each state. This could potentially leave the intended parents unprotected if the genetic parents change their minds in the future.”

Does Shady Grove Fertility allow for embryo adoption?

SGF patients that have unused embryos are welcome to donate them if they no longer would like to store them and do not want to discard the embryos.

SGF does not accept the use of adopted embryos in our laboratories. In addition to the potential legal matters, there is significant screening necessary to use donated/adopted eggs, sperm and embryos. Often times, genetic parents won’t go through the appropriate screening because at the point in time in which the embryos were created, they themselves were the intended parents.

Egg donors and sperm donors go through extensive screening to ensure the health of any resulting child as well as the woman carrying the pregnancy.  This screening is required by law.

Would you like to learn more about embryo adoption?

If you are interested in placing your embryos for adoption, please contact the National Embryo Donation Center or Night Light’s Snowflakes® Program.

If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your fertility treatment options, please speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons at 877-971-7755.

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September 29, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

For Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. area patients.
Limit of15 participants.

Making the decision to move forward with egg and/or sperm donation can be a medical, legal, and emotional shift for all prospective recipients.

This virtual donor recipient support group provides support for individuals and couples who are in various stages of treatment such as those contemplating the choice, embarking on and undergoing treatment to conceive as well as for patients who become parents through such means. The processing of the thoughts and feelings about the use of donated gametes can be very helpful as one prepares to move forward with this option, as well as having support from others who are having a similar experience. It can also be important to the long-term health and well being of the child (conceived) by donated gametes. More specifically, the group affords recipients benefit from exploring any concerns and expressing their feelings about having a child with someone else’s genetic material as well as to discuss when, how, what, to whom, and if to disclose to offspring.

The group is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to Ring Central video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.

For more information, please email Tara Simpson, Psy.D.

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October 20, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

For Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. area patients.
Limit of15 participants.

Making the decision to move forward with egg and/or sperm donation can be a medical, legal, and emotional shift for all prospective recipients.

This virtual donor recipient support group provides support for individuals and couples who are in various stages of treatment such as those contemplating the choice, embarking on and undergoing treatment to conceive as well as for patients who become parents through such means. The processing of the thoughts and feelings about the use of donated gametes can be very helpful as one prepares to move forward with this option, as well as having support from others who are having a similar experience. It can also be important to the long-term health and well being of the child (conceived) by donated gametes. More specifically, the group affords recipients benefit from exploring any concerns and expressing their feelings about having a child with someone else’s genetic material as well as to discuss when, how, what, to whom, and if to disclose to offspring.

The group is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to Ring Central video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.

For more information, please email Tara Simpson, Psy.D.

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November 17, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

For Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. area patients.
Limit of15 participants.

Making the decision to move forward with egg and/or sperm donation can be a medical, legal, and emotional shift for all prospective recipients.

This virtual donor recipient support group provides support for individuals and couples who are in various stages of treatment such as those contemplating the choice, embarking on and undergoing treatment to conceive as well as for patients who become parents through such means. The processing of the thoughts and feelings about the use of donated gametes can be very helpful as one prepares to move forward with this option, as well as having support from others who are having a similar experience. It can also be important to the long-term health and well being of the child (conceived) by donated gametes. More specifically, the group affords recipients benefit from exploring any concerns and expressing their feelings about having a child with someone else’s genetic material as well as to discuss when, how, what, to whom, and if to disclose to offspring.

The group is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to Ring Central video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.

For more information, please email Tara Simpson, Psy.D.

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