From Minneapolis-based therapist Krista Post: "Embryo donation might be a good option for women who are having difficulty adopting, who want to experience pregnancy and breastfeeding, have PCOS, diminished ovarian reserve, or other conditions where using one's own eggs might not be possible or advised. Embryo donation is less expensive than using an egg donor. Some infertility clinics that provide IVF offer embryo donation programs. There are a few embryo donation agencies around the country that treat the process much like regular adoption, in that recipients must undergo a home study, be chosen by the bio-couple, etc."

"Most of these agencies, as I understand it, were founded by people whose religious beliefs precluded embryo disposal following IVF. Because of the more conservative nature of some of these organizations, I am curious how Choice Moms would be viewed. If it were my client, I would recommend that she call first before making appointments so as not to waste time or be discouraged by people who are not sympathetic."

To save you some of that effort, Choice Moms is compiling a list of embryo donation agencies that will work with single women. Stay tuned here for that link to come.

In the meantime, there are a few important things you can do to think about this option.

1) Any third-party reproduction should involve basic counseling, to talk through issues you might not have thought about, ways to eventually talk about this with your child, deciding how to perceive the bio-couple that donates. Embryo donation right now is more similar to closed adoption than it is to open-identity donors. (Although unlike adoption there is no living human being involved in a legal proceeding.) In other words, you are not likely to have a relationship or names to give your child for future contact when they have questions. It's important to consider how you would talk through this with your child, using the help of an outside expert. You also will not share DNA with your child, even though you carry the pregnancy and go through medical treatments to do so, which will open up a variety of emotions during the process for you. Consult our list of Choice Mom-savvy therapists for some suggestions.

2. The American Fertility Association has created an excellent brochure about embryo donation that is available as a downloadable PDF here. As they point out, this is pioneering territory. Many issues involved in embryo donation haven't been navigated fully yet.

-- Mikki