I’m Done With My Family Building Journey. What Can I Do With My Remaining Embryos?

If you have embryos in storage but feel your family is complete, you should know all of the options available to you. This topic can be tough, especially if two partners are not in agreement about the right option. Know that this must be a joint decision between any partners who are the legal parents of the embryos.

Our fertility counselors are a great resource if you have any difficulty navigating this decision or simply want to talk through your choices and feelings. You may choose any of the following options: 

Donate embryos to research

You have the option to donate unused embryos to scientific research studies which are aimed at gaining a better understanding of infertility and its treatment. If discarded embryos are studied as part of a human research project it would only be done in compliance with an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved protocol. No donated embryos would be used to establish a pregnancy and you can always change your mind. Talk to someone on our staff if you want to know more about donating your embryos to scientific research.

Discard any remaining embryos

You may choose to have the lab thaw and discard your embryos. If you are currently expecting, Boston IVF recommends that you not discard your frozen embryos until after the birth of your baby. 

Donate your embryos

Embryo donation involves you releasing your embryos to an embryo bank, where they can be adopted by another individual or family.