EMBRYO DONATION / ADOPTION

For many folks, infertility is a driving factor in first exploring the possibility of adoption. Although not an option for everyone, individuals and couples that are hoping to be able to carry a pregnancy and control prenatal care, embryo donation could be a viable option. 

Embryo donation, also called embryo adoption, is where an individual or family receives a fully created embryo from another individual or couple that has already completed their own IVF journey. The recipient is then able to transfer that embryo into their uterus and, hopefully, obtain a pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. 

Just like with adoption, under Canadian law, embryo donation must be done altruistically. Embryo donors cannot receive any financial compensation for their embryos, nor reimbursement for their own IVF cycle. 

In Ontario, the individual who gives birth is considered the “legal parent” of the child born, meaning that there is no formal adoption process once the child is born. Instead, a legal agreement is completed between the two parties prior to the transfer of the embryos to the recipients’ clinic. 

Important Consideration for Embryo Donation: 

• Is carrying a pregnancy very important to me? 
• Do I have medical clearance to carry a pregnancy or a gestational carrier that is able to work with me? 
• Am I comfortable having openness with the embryo donor and their child(ren) in the future? 
• Does my fertility clinic work with donated embryos? If not, am I willing to transfer to a different clinic? 
• Am I okay with a donor that has used donated eggs or sperm, meaning I may never know the full genetic history of my child and/or that my child may have a large number of half siblings? 

How Can I Receive Donated Embryos?

There are a couple different options for folks looking to pursue embryo donation. You can: 

• Work with an agency that helps match embryo donors and recipients - such as Beginnings Family Services  
• See if your clinic has an “in-house” donation program - such as TRIO Fertility  ** Please note, many clinics will only work with current patients for their in-house programs 
• Find a match on your own through family, friends, or online 

If You Find Your Own Match

It is very important to always make sure both the donor and recipient are on the same page about things, such as openness between the families, disclosure to children born, and decisions about any remaining embryos. Using an agency or clinic program can help you navigate these relationships. 

Embryo Recipient: The person of family who is hoping to receive an embryo or embryos from a donor to obtain pregnancy.

Embryo Donor: Individual or family providing their remaining embryos to another person or family. They already underwent an IVF cycle and have remaining embryos. 

Embryo: The combination of sperm and egg, creating a human embryo. Usually 3-6 days after the egg has been fertilized. The embryo will have no genetic relationship with the recipient/intended parent. 

They’re the same thing! Under Canadian legislation, embryos are viewed as property and don’t fall under adoption law. Most clinics, therefore, use the term donation instead of adoption. 

In Ontario, once you are pregnant with a donated embryo, you are immediately considered the legal parent and there is no formal adoption process once the child is born.