Embryo adoption offers a unique opportunity for families to experience the joys (and challenges!) of pregnancy and childbirth with their adopted child. While you may be embarking on this journey through the Snowflakes Program, it's a novel and complex concept for many. As you share your experience, be prepared for various reactions and questions.
Here are some common questions families often encounter during the adoption process:
Q: “That sounds weird… like something right out of a sci-fi movie.”
If faced with this comment, shift the connotation from weird to amazing!
A: “It is a miracle, isn’t it?! It happens when science combines with the miracle of life! Although it may seem futuristic, cryo-technology has been around since the 1950s. It's incredible that leftover embryos from IVF cycles can be preserved, offering a chance for later use!”
Q: “Isn’t it hard on the kid because they’re born in the wrong decade?”
This question typically arises when people grapple with the idea of freezing embryos. Since embryos have no known “shelf-life,” they can be frozen for many years, thawed, and then transferred in a cycle. Healthy children have been born from embryos ten years old or even older.
A: “A child born from an embryo has a regular birthday like any other kid, and that is their age. Embryos are frozen in time—and liquid nitrogen—somewhere in the first five days of development, remaining at that stage until they are thawed and transferred.”
Q: “Isn’t it robbing orphaned kids overseas or in foster care?”
While this question may seem judgmental, it often stems from genuine concern for orphans. Emphasize that embryo adoption is just one of many adoption choices, expanding options for helping children in need of a family.
A: “This was the right adoption path for us. Similar to how a family may choose domestic adoption over international adoption, there's no 'one size fits all' solution. We’re still adopting a child—just much earlier in their development.”
As you navigate your embryo adoption journey through Snowflakes, these responses can help you address well-intentioned questions with confidence. To discover more about embryo adoption donation through the Snowflakes program, visit Snowflakes.org.
By: Paige Zapf