As a patient at Women & Infants, we offer you several options for your frozen embryos, including:
Regardless of your choice, we respect your decision. We also want to help you feel comfortable with your decision. If you would like to discuss any issues or concerns you have regarding this important choice, please call us at 401-453-7500.
All patients who have had in vitro fertilization (IVF) at Women & Infants are offered a one-year storage period for any unused frozen embryos. During this time, the embryos are yours and only you can make decisions about what to do with them.
For instance, you may choose to undergo another frozen embryo transfer using these embryos – this eliminates the need for another egg retrieval. You should speak with your physician to review your embryos and to plan for the frozen embryo transfer.
Background
When the IVF process begins, a series of intense and complex steps are started to help meet your goal of creating a family.
As an infertility patient struggles with the stress of trying to become pregnant, the idea of “extra” embryos can seem unrealistic and foreign. It is part of the IVF process, however, to think about this possibility before the situation occurs. Deciding what to do with any unused embryos (embryos that are not transferred during your cycle) begins at an early stage.
Most patients will receive a series of consent forms that need to be signed before any stimulating hormones are started. These forms include information about what to do with any “extra” embryos.
We understand that this is an emotional time. At this stage you will not know the details of how many eggs may be retrieved or how many eggs will be fertilized (to become embryos). Although not ideal, it is the time to begin considering your options.
Some people have clear feelings on this topic. They may have already decided to donate any remaining embryos to a couple in need, or would prefer that their embryos be thawed with no intent to transfer. Many people, however, need an opportunity to research the options for their surplus embryos. Commonly, the first chance to consider your options – and the fate of your surplus embryos – is once the initial storage period of the embryos has begun.
To avoid “embryo abandonment” at Women & Infants, we ask that you update us on your personal information (address and telephone number) throughout the time that your embryos are stored with us.
To update your contact information, please call 401-453-7500. Our caring staff is available to answer your questions.
Materials produced with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Grant 1EAA OP 002090-01
