Donation of embryos

[twinmom]

I have been throwing this idea of donating my embryos for a some time, but I am so unsure. I have twin girls and my DRS. warn me against getting pregant again. My first transfer was a fresh embryos resulting in twins. Second unsuccessful and third resulting in triplets, which I lost at 22 weeks because I developed the HELPs syndrome. Any advice?

[reg.finger]

You are actually facing two questions -- first, whether you are sure you are finished with your own family-building efforts, and second, if you are, what you will do with your remaining embryos.

For the first question, you will need to explore all aspects of the question with your doctor(s) and with trusted family members and friends. Would you like to have more children, and if so, is it true that conceiving again would be medically unsafe for you? Only medical caregivers that have seen you in person and have your records, and the chance to talk with you at length, can help you decide that.

If you are finished with family-building efforts and thus are sure that you will not be using your remaining embryos yourself, then we do strongly recommend that you consider donating the embryos to another couple. You can do so anonymously, or in an open relationship, or using an "in between" arrangement where you and the adopting couple know something about each other, but not each other's identities or locating information. You can get more information from National Embryo Donation Center at www.embryodonation.org, from the Nightlight Christian Adoptions program (www.embryoadoption.org), from Bethany Christian Services (www.bethany.org), or the Cedar Park program near Seattle at www.adoptanembryo.net. You can also ask your infertility clinic if they offer the embryo donation option in-house.

Thanks!

Reg Finger, MD,MPH