Embryo Adoption

JennH · 08-24-2004, 10:06 PM

Did anyone do embryo adoption? I am in the last stages of it (we are scheduled to have a transfer at the end of Sept.) and would love to have a 'buddy'.

I'm not sure where to post! Do I post on the adoption side, or the TTC side????????????????????

Please let me know!!

DanaJ · 08-25-2004, 03:24 AM

Jenn,
I have not gone through but I am so excited for you? Are you using the Snowflake organization or another. Please share your experience.
Thanks,
Dana

JenJen78 · 08-25-2004, 03:13 PM

Hi Jenn,
I'd be interested in finding about more about your experience as well. I've not done EA myself, but I am curious about it. Also, I'm curious as you who you went through as well. I've heard about a place in Nashville. Is that where you went? I'm in Arkansas, but I'm only about 10 minutes from Memphis.

Best of luck to you!

JennH · 08-25-2004, 10:41 PM

We went through the National Embryo Donation Center (www.embryodonation.org) in Knoxville, TN. The program is headed by Dr. Jeffrey Keenan. You couldn't ask for a better, more thorough doctor than him. My regular OB/GYN here in Chattanooga was a resident under him, so they use some of the same protocols which will help me once I'm released from Dr. Keenan.

The whole program cost us about $3500. There is no legal definition of embryo adoption, so all 'legal' paperwork is done between the office and the biological parents. We were prepared to do an open adoption, thinking that it might get us embryos quicker, but on the day we went in for our first meeting, were given several anonymously donated embryos to choose from (on paper). Carol, the embryologist, brought them in to us. We were very surprised because we thought that it would be months and we'd have to go through more screening. But, she said that because we'd been on the waiting list so long and had been approved with flying colors during our homestudy that we would be able to use anonymous embryos.

I'm in the middle of taking all kinds of hormones and will find out during the first of Sept. if we can go ahead with things.

Say a prayer!

Shannon _Richardson · 08-25-2004, 10:51 PM

Wow, Jenn. I am sorry to jump in here but I had to say I love Dr. Keenan. He is my RE. He is by far the best Dr I have ever met. He helped me when no other Dr even knew what was wrong with me. I wish you the best of luck with your embies and sending you lots of positive vibes. Good Luck!

JenJen78 · 08-26-2004, 10:15 AM

That sounds awesome Jenn!!! I hope all goes well for you, and will certainly say a prayer that you have a happy healthy baby. That is the doctor I was thinking of, I just had the wrong city.

If you don't mind talking to me more about this, could you please email me at zachs_mom0702@yahoo.com.

Once again, best of luck!

JennH · 08-26-2004, 08:27 PM

I'll be glad to fill you in on more info! I'll email you right now.

I start my Lupron shots tomorrow morning. Say a prayer for me!

JennH

Oana · 09-01-2004, 07:31 PM

Jenn, I will be praying that the transfer works beautifully!

Oana

JennH · 09-01-2004, 07:35 PM

Thank you so mch for the prayers! I appreciate them so much.
Jenn

MollySan · 09-06-2004, 08:23 PM

Wow I didn't even know this was an option! It sounds awesome let us know how it goes, I am praying for you and sending you tons of babydust! Good luck!
Molly

DanaJ · 09-06-2004, 08:37 PM

Jenn,
Just checking in to see how you are doing. How much info do you have about the baby(ies)? How many will they implant? I am saying my prayers that this will result in your forever family.
Dana

JennH · 09-06-2004, 11:08 PM

As of Friday, I was told that they will thaw 4 emmbies to see what happens with them. My face must have went pale, because I sure can't imagine carrying quads! Because we are working with pro-nuclear (one-celled) embryos though, they don't expect all 4 to reproduce. So...we'll just wait and see. They said they could refreeze them, but that they wouldn't be viable afterward. God has a plan...we'll just have to have the faith to follow it!

Thanks for your prayers!
Jenn

beth30 · 12-02-2004, 01:15 PM

Jenn,
My name is Beth. I was searching S/C looking specifically for embryo donation/adoption posts and yours was the first I came across. My DH and I went thru the embryo donation program at our clinic. I'm happy to say that we now have twin boys from our donated embryos. They are now 8 months old. In your post you had said that you weren't sure where to post it. I've looked here before and really couldn't find a spot either when I was considering the option. I don't know if it's something ladies here aren't doing or what. I'm sure there are some out there that are tho. I found a site that has a message board just for embryo donation/adoption. It's www.hannahsprayer.com. It'll be in the adoption section. This is a Christian based site. One of the forum leaders, Snowflakemommy, has done a lot of hard work with it. She's been instrumental in getting a specific message board for this topic. There are women all around the world that you can talk with who are currently going thru this or have been thru it. The support there is awesome.

I'll be sending this as a pm to you too to make sure that you get it, especially since your original post was back in Sept. Feel free to pm me as well.

Good luck with everything. I wish you success with this route of adoption.

Beth

JennH · 12-02-2004, 11:45 PM

Beth,

Thanks for the information about the posting site. DH and I had an FET done on 11/22/04. We go for blood tests tomorrow morning to get a BETA! I'm very excited as I've felt a lot of 'stirrings'.

DH and I also participated in a videa with the Christian Medical Association that will be used to promote Embryo Donation/Adoption across the country at different clinics. We figure this was a mission that God gave us that we HAD to help with as it was so dear to us.

Congrats on the birth of your boys. Say prayers for us that we get a positive tomorrow!

Jenn

ivy1 · 01-12-2005, 01:55 PM

I had no idea that this was even an option! Thank you so much for your post and good luck!