As embryo adoption continues to grow as a beautiful way to bring life to embryos, it is crucial to understand the unique benefits of keeping IVF embryo cohorts together. Embryo cohorts refer to groups of embryos created from the same IVF cycle, which means they are genetic siblings.
When embryos are adopted together by a single family, it fosters a sense of unity, connection, and continuity.
As an adoption agency, one of Snowflakes Embryo Adoption’s core values is the belief in keeping siblings together if possible. Here is why this approach matters and how it benefits everyone involved.
1. Anonymity in the assisted reproductive technologies world.
In the traditional fertility and reproductive medicine landscape, anonymity has been the default standard. Many fertility clinic donation programs maintain this anonymous approach, keeping the identities of embryo donors and recipients confidential. While this standard protects privacy, it can also create limitations for children born from these embryos. Lack of information about their genetic background, medical history, and origins may lead to questions down the road for both the child and the adoptive family.
By contrast, Snowflakes supports an open approach. This does not mean that both families need to know every detail about each other, but it allows for flexibility and important updates. With carefully crafted agreements, both the adoptive and genetic families can decide on a level of communication that best serves everyone’s comfort level and well-being, including the children. This approach reduces the uncertainties that come with strict anonymity and can provide adoptees with essential information about their genetic background when they need it.
2. Preserving sibling relationships.
One of the primary advantages of keeping embryo cohorts together in adoption is to preserve sibling relationships. Splitting embryos from the same IVF cycle across multiple families can have unintended consequences. When genetic siblings are separated, there is always the risk they may unknowingly meet and form connections later in life, especially if they live in the same geographic region. Keeping these embryos together with a single family ensures that biological siblings grow up with the opportunity to know each other, creating a stronger sense of family unity and connection.
Moreover, many adoptive families hope to have multiple children who share a biological link. When a family adopts all embryos from a cohort, they can potentially have siblings who are fully genetically related, something that is especially meaningful for families with a deep desire to maintain that genetic continuity. This approach also allows the adoptive family more options for future embryo transfers, which reduces costs and stress if the first transfer does not result in a successful pregnancy.
3. Access to information with one genetic family.
Access to knowledge and genetic information is vital for adoptees as they grow. When embryos are placed with multiple families, it becomes challenging to provide comprehensive and consistent access to genetic, medical, and historical information. This can be a significant barrier if a child needs medical insights that only a genetic family member can provide. It may also lead to emotional challenges for children who want to understand their heritage but lack a clear way to connect with their biological origins.
Keeping embryo cohorts together simplifies this. The adoptive family has direct access to one genetic family, which can make it easier to establish an open line of communication about health history, genetics, and cultural background. Many embryo adoption programs work with both families to create a communication plan that respects the comfort and privacy of all parties. With a single genetic family involved, adoptees can have a more cohesive and consistent understanding of their origins.
A Meaningful Approach to Embryo Adoption
Choosing to keep donated embryo cohorts together provides lasting benefits. It protects sibling bonds, reduces the challenges of anonymity, and ensures the child has access to their genetic roots. For families considering embryo adoption, only considering a program that allow siblings to remain united can enrich the experience for both parents and children, creating a solid foundation of connection and continuity.
To learn more about Snowflakes and embryo adoption, visit Snowflkaes.org.
By Paige Zapf