Information about donating embryos

Thank you for your interest in donating your embryos to another couple. We normally have a long waiting list to receive donated embryos, so your potential donation is very much appreciated by those couples who cannot conceive on their own. Enclosed you will find the necessary paperwork to begin the donation process. With the exception of travel and personal time for your appointment, there is no cost to donate.

Understand that many of these steps are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to assure the safety of the embryo transfer to the recipient female. Persons receiving embryos at The Fertility Center must also meet with our counselor prior to being eligible as a recipient.

A counseling appointment with both spouses is required for anyone donating or receiving embryos.
An appointment with our Donor Coordinator and the physician for FDA requirements (a health questionnaire, blood testing, and a physical in our office, which are all paid for by the recipient couple) is also required, to reduce the risk of transmissible infection to recipient parties. All appointments usually take a total of 2 hours.
Per ASRM guidelines, there is a 3 month wait from the time you express interest in donating your embryos until the embryos can be donated. This is to assure that we have given you adequate time to change your mind. Until all steps are completed, you will continue to pay your embryo storage fees.

Note that completing these steps does not guarantee you will be eligible to donate your embryos to another couple; but the vast majority of people fulfill all eligibility requirements. If you have any questions or for any reason need to reevaluate your options, please call our Donor Coordinator at (616) 988-2229, ext. 131.