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The Fertility Center is proud to offer a Donor Embryo Program for infertile couples. The Fertility Center was one of the first to have a Donor Embryo Program in the country.  Using a donor embryo is a treatment option for couples that have been unsuccessful at achieving a pregnancy using their own eggs/sperm, or have a medical reason why they are unable to use their own. Patients who wish to receive donated embryos are screened by our doctors and counselor.

The Donor Embryo Program provides a great option for our patients who have gone through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and have extra cryopreserved embryos. Couples who donate can provide input into who they want to receive their embryos. These couples donate their cryopreserved embryos anonymously for use by the recipient couples.

At The Fertility Center, the recipient couples select the embryos after reviewing the profiles of the donating couple. Our donor coordinator is available to help in the selection process, but we feel the decision should be made by the recipient couple.

The Fertility Center gives individualized care to each couple regarding their fertility options. If you are interested in donating or receiving embryos, please call 616-988-2229. Presently there is a waiting list for donated embryos. Our staff is available to answer questions regarding the Donor Embryo Program.

You may have learned recently that using donor eggs, donor sperm or donated embryos could be a good medical option for you.  For many patients, the donor process is a new concept.  At times it can seem confusing or overwhelming.  This is normal.  We want to help you get some of your questions answered, and we are available to speak with you to help decide what is the best choice.

Step one:  Decide if this is an option that you want to consider.

It is critical that you and your partner agree on the next step in treatment.  If you get pregnant using donor eggs, donor sperm or donated embryos, this decision has life-long implications for both of you.  Often patients focus on getting pregnant and don’t think about what it will be like to raise a child that is conceived in a different way. 

One important conversation to have with your partner is about disclosure.  If this is successful for you, will you tell the child and/or others?  If you plan to tell your child, how and when do you think you would tell?  There is valuable information available about disclosure which helps you make an informed decision.  You may want to look on the internet for information (often under the topic of third-party reproduction).  Some good websites are:

          www.theafa.org

          www.resolve.org

          www.asrm.org

Step-two:  Notify the office of your decision and schedule your appointment with the counselor.  The counseling appointment will review donor options in detail and provide you with more information.  You do not have to be certain of your decision before meeting with the counselor.

Feel free to contact us at any time with questions/concerns.  Either the donor coordinator or the counselor in the Grand Rapids office are helpful resources.