The changing landscape of motherhood, with an increasing number of women seeking to conceive after 35, has spurred a rise in the utilization of egg donation. Yet, circumstances sometimes necessitate the use of both egg and sperm donors, particularly in cases of male infertility, single motherhood by choice, or within same-sex female relationships.

For these situations, options include in vitro fertilization using both donor eggs and sperm or embracing embryo donation, also known as embryo adoption. This technique, the focus of this article, sheds light on its essence and procedural aspects.

What is Embryo Donation?

Embryo donation stands as an assisted reproductive treatment wherein a woman receives embryos that have been fertilized in a laboratory setting. These embryos originate from couples who, having achieved successful pregnancies, opt to donate their surplus embryos to aid others in fulfilling their parenthood aspirations. This act involves an agreement wherein the donor couple relinquishes any claims to potential offspring gestated by the recipient mother.

Crucially, embryo donation differs from egg or sperm donation as donated embryos are already formed entities.

The Process of Embryo Donation:

Upon fertilization of embryos from the donor couple, a vital step involves vitrification—an ultra-rapid freezing method using liquid nitrogen at -196°C. This preserves the embryos’ quality and inherent properties. When a couple decides against further children, they have the option to donate these embryos to individuals or couples in need.

Embryo selection considers physical attributes of both donor and recipient couples. However, not all individuals with frozen embryos can donate them. Donors must be under 35 at the time of fertilization and have no risk of infectious or genetic diseases.

The embryo donation process involves preparing the recipient’s endometrium for optimal implantation conditions, thawing the embryos, and performing a straightforward embryo transfer into the uterus. Subsequent pregnancy tests and ultrasounds confirm successful implantation and monitor pregnancy progression.

When is Embryo Donation Recommended?

Embryo donation serves as an excellent option for couples facing fertility challenges, irrespective of the gender-based cause. It’s also viable for single women desiring motherhood or within same-sex female relationships, especially when age or fertility issues arise.

Compared to double donation treatments, combining donor sperm and eggs, embryo donation proves cost-effective and boasts high success rates, typically involving the best-quality embryos. The knowledge that embryos from the same cycle have resulted in healthy births bolsters the confidence in this method.

At our clinics in Albania, alongside Turkey, we are committed to leading the way in embryo donation and advancing the field of reproductive assistance. Our mission is to offer comprehensive and impactful solutions for individuals exploring alternative paths to parenthood. The heartwarming success stories emerging from embryo donation, coupled with the distinct advantages of diverse cryopreservation techniques, illuminate a hopeful journey for aspiring parents, unveiling a myriad of possibilities and opportunities for building families.