WTF is EDA?

“We’re going to conceive our child using privately donated embryos.” This statement is often met with a blank stare. My friends and family are excited that we’re planning to have a baby - but the concept of embryo donation can be a foreign one. I’ve put together an overview of what embryo donation (or EDA) is, and the different ways someone might use it to have a baby.

First, a quick human biology refresher: Once an egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, it is known as a Zygote. The Zygote divides and becomes a collection of cells known as a Blastocyst. This cluster of cells is what is typically transferred into the uterus during IVF - typically between days 3 and 6 following fertilization. The Blastocyst is not considered an Embryo until the amniotic sac develops (by about week 5 of pregnancy). Finally, it is considered a Fetus (or developing baby) beginning in the 11th week of pregnancy. So the term “Embryo Donation” is technically a misnomer, as the material being donated is in the Blastocyst stage - However, as “embryo” is the standard language around this process, that is the word I will be using moving forward.

Why donate? Embryo donation usually takes place when a person or family has more embryos than they intend to use following IVF treatment, and they elect to donate to another person or family to have children of their own. Individuals who are finished having children, but who still have frozen embryos have several options for donation:

• Turning the embryos over to their fertility clinic, where the embryos may be donated anonymously to another patient hoping to conceive.

• Using an expensive “adoption” agency to place the embryos with another family.

• Using a matching forum to connect privately with potential recipients, and proceeding with a known match. These forums exist on Facebook, as well as several standalone sites.

• Donating to a scientific research program, where the embryos will not be used for reproduction.

Why receive? Recipients usually seek out donated embryos when they want to carry a pregnancy, but cannot or do not wish to use their own genetic material. They may receive these embryos in a variety of ways, similar to above:

• Joining the waiting list for a fertility clinic’s embryos donation program. Not all clinics have these programs, so that may be a factor when choosing a clinic if EDA is something you know you want to pursue.

• Completing an “adoption” through an agency, including a home study and fees.

• Using a matching forum to connect privately with potential donors, and proceeding with a known match.

• Entering a “Double Donor” embryo program, where embryos are created specifically for donation using anonymous Sperm and Egg donors.

How does it work? My experience has been exclusively through the lens of Private EDA. We chose this route because it had the lowest associated costs, and it allowed us the greatest control over the matching process. In assisted reproduction, so many things can feel outside of your control, so this was really important to us. After connecting with our donors, we had to do the following:

1. Have an attorney execute an agreement outlining the terms of the donation, as well as expectations for the future open relationship we and the donors plan to maintain.

2. Fulfill our clinic’s requirements for receiving donated genetic material. These included:

   • Signing multiple releases and consent forms.

   • Providing our donors’ health history.

   • Completing a psychological evaluation with both couples (donor and recipient) present.

3. Fulfill our donors’ storage facility’s requirements to release genetic material. These included:

   • Signing even more releases and consent forms.

   • Providing proof of our legal agreement.

   • Providing proof that our clinic would receive embryos not genetically related to me or to my spouse.

   • Paying a small administrative fee.

4. Arrange for the embryos to be transported from the storage facility to our clinic.

Everyone’s experience (especially with private donation) is bound to be a bit different. However, I hope that this overview will give you a better sense of what goes into making an embryo donation happen!

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Are you considering EDA? What would you like to know?