For This Child I Prayed

For This Child I Prayed
By Cindy

My husband and I married when we were older, so we wanted to start a family right away. Early in our marriage, it was clear to us that I would not be able to conceive a child without medical assistance. I went through three in vitro procedures and one GIFT (Gamete IntraFallopian Transer) procedure. None of them worked. Later, I was diagnosed with premature ovarian dysfunction. My eggs were of poor quality.

During those procedures, we were asked what we would like to do with any extra embryos. The doctors discussed three choices: donate them to scientific research (such as stem cell research), cryogenically freeze the embryos, or make an embryo donation. We decided to freeze our extra embryos.

When my infertility specialist confirmed that we would be unable to conceive a child with my eggs, I remembered the embryo adoption option that had been explained to us. That is when I decided to do some research, which led me to Dr. Keenan. He was wonderful and told us about his efforts to start the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC). The NEDC was not open at that point, so I had to wait a year.

We looked into traditional adoption and were considering it if the embryo adoption didn't work. We would give the NEDC two tries first, though. The Center referred us to Bethany Christian Services for our adoptive home study. Our worker was wonderful. She counseled us about when to let our daughter know that she was adopted and why that is so important.

My husband, Barry, and I were the first couple to receive an adoptive embryo transfer from the NEDC. It was the perfect choice for us after we had been through so much. Unfortunately, the first attempt did not work - two adopted embryos were transferred to my womb by the doctor, but they did not implant. Six months later, we tried again, this time transferring three embryos. Our daughter, Rebecca, was born from that transfer.

Our families were very supportive of our embryo adoption decision. Grandma and Grandpa treat our daughter no differently than the other grandchildren. In fact, it is so funny - Rebecca looks like my husband. She had his features! It's like God made her for us.

One of the differences between this procedure and the previous infertility procedures is that I had a real peace about this one and I didn't with the others. We've discussed the possibility of trying embryo adoption again and
I probably would if I were younger. I am thirty-eight now. Barry and I are content to have Rebecca. She is a gift from God.

Cindy, Barry, and Rebecca live in Tennessee.

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Things to Consider When Exploring Embryo Adoption:

  • With embryo adoption, you carry and give birth to the baby.
  • With embryo adoption, you are giving life to a baby whose life is "on hold."
  • Even with an anonymous adoption, consider the number of embryos available. It may take more than one attempt for a successful pregnancy, and often not all of the thawed embryos survive.
  • Some of the medical costs associated with embryo adoption may be covered by insurance.
  • Embryo adoption costs vary and may be less expensive than some adoptions.