What Happens to Unused Embryos? Options for Your Family-Building Journey

Why Unused Embryos Matter

When you create embryos through IVF, it’s common to have more than are immediately used. These are known as “unused embryos,” and deciding what to do with them is a personal process, as they often represent hope, potential, and a future family.

How Unused Embryos Are Created

IVF and Donor Cycles: Understanding Surplus Embryos

During IVF, multiple eggs are retrieved and fertilized to maximize the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Whether you are using your own eggs or pursuing donor egg or sperm options, this process often results in more embryos than are needed for a single transfer.

Cryopreservation and Storage Basics

Embryos are frozen through a process called vitrification and stored in specialized tanks at cryopreservation facilities. They can be safely preserved for years, and many families choose to keep them frozen while they consider their next steps.

Planning for the Future

Unused embryos are sometimes saved in case a family wants another child later. For many, the idea of full genetic siblings is important. However, life circumstances change. Families grow, financial realities evolve, and personal values may shift. That’s why it’s essential to revisit this decision every few years with fresh eyes and guidance from your fertility team.

At Elevate, you can indicate your preference for dispositional limitation requests. You may choose to have no preference and leave the decision to the Intended Parents, opt in to donating excess embryos to a known anonymous family for reproductive purposes, or specify that you do not want excess embryos donated for reproductive use.

Donating Embryos to Another Family (Embryo Adoption)

Some families choose to give their embryos to others who cannot create their own. Known as embryo donation or embryo adoption, this path allows another individual or couple to build their family using your remaining embryos. There are many programs out there that support this option, like the National Embryo Donation Center.

Donate to Scientific Research

Donating embryos to research helps advance fertility science, improve IVF techniques, and support the development of treatments for conditions such as cancer or genetic disorders. If your clinic partners with an approved research organization, they can provide details on how to proceed. This is an excellent option for many who want their journey to contribute to a larger purpose.

Thaw and Discard

Some families choose to thaw their embryos and allow them to stop developing naturally. This can be a difficult decision, but it is a choice for many. Clinics often offer respectful, private ways to complete this process.

Legal, Ethical, and Emotional Considerations

Legal Frameworks and Clinic Policies

Before any embryos are created, you will typically sign legal documents outlining how they will be handled. These agreements address what happens in various scenarios, like divorce, death, storage expiration, or indecision. If you created embryos in a state with restrictive laws, or if laws have changed since your original agreement, you may need to review your contract with a reproductive attorney.

Your Personal Values and Beliefs

Embryos are more than cells in a lab. For many, they represent potential life, future children, or the path to parenthood they worked so hard to follow. Others view them as genetic material intended for medical use. Both perspectives are valid.

Your emotional and spiritual beliefs significantly shape how you perceive each option. There is no universal right or wrong answer, only what feels right for you and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long can embryos remain frozen?

A: Embryos can remain frozen indefinitely. Some have been successfully used after 20+ years. Success depends more on the age at which they were created than on the duration of freezing.

Q: Can I change my mind later?

A: Yes. If your embryos are stored, you can usually revise your disposition decision at any time, assuming you remain in good standing with your clinic.

Q: Is there any compensation for donating embryos?

A: No. Embryo donation is typically altruistic. However, all legal and medical expenses for the recipient’s family are generally covered.

Q: What happens if I don’t make a decision?

A: If no decision is made and storage fees lapse, embryos may be classified as abandoned, and clinics will follow state law or internal policy on disposition.