Embryo Donation Adoption – Canada

Do you live in Canada, and are you interested in adopting embryos through Snowflakes? This is possible even though you don’t live in the United States.

What is embryo adoption?

In 1997, Nightlight pioneered the first embryo adoption program in the world and named it the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Program. This exciting adoption choice allows couples to place their remaining embryos for adopting, and for others to receive them and give birth to their adopted child. All of the embryos matched with adopting families in the Snowflakes program were placed by families who originally created them for their in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The embryos remain in storage until a disposition choice is made by the family who owns them. These embryos are waiting for a loving home, and a chance to be born.

As an adoptive parent, you receive autobiographical information, three generations of medical health history, and pictures from the family whose embryos you adopt. You adopt all the embryos a family has, they won’t be split up among multiple adoptive families. Snowflakes also specializes in offering a range of options for ongoing communication with the placing family.

Are there any extra considerations for adopting embryos when we live in Canada?

The Snowflake Embryo adoption program is available for people worldwide, including Canada. Like all of our adopting families, prior to being matched with embryos, you will complete an evaluation process similar to a home study called a Snowflakes Family Evaluation. One of our staff will travel to your home as a part of the evaluation process. We do require you to complete education regarding embryo adoption, such as talking to your kids about their unique story.

What does the medical process look like? 

Most Canadian couples are able to do the majority of the medical prep at a local fertility clinic, using their current medical coverage. However, you will either need to travel to the Snowflakes partner clinic of your choosing in the U.S. or find a clinic local to you that is willing to accept your adopted embryos and complete your frozen embryo transfer(s). 

We will match you with a placing family who will gift you with all of the remaining embryos they have to place for adoption. In many instances this allows our adopting families to give birth to genetic siblings over time. There are no extra program fees if you desire to be matched with a family that has a larger set of embryos. The clinic will charge per FET.

If you are interested in adopting embryos through Snowflakes or you simply want to learn more, contact one of our Snowflakes Inquiry Specialists either by emailing info@Snowflakes.org or by completing our inquiry form. Our Inquiry Specialists will explain the details of the Snowflakes program and help you determine if embryo adoption is the right choice for your family.

Nightlight’s YouTube page has plenty of stories to get you started. Listen in as placing and adopting families share their stories, and talk about their decision to work with Snowflakes.

Snowflakes costs break down into three different categories. Keep in mind that some of these can be managed in Canada, and may have a different cost than those that will be handled in the U.S. We recommend using a currency calculator to get a better overview of your total costs and remember that currency rates can change over time.

Snowflakes Program Cost: $8,500 USD

Snowflakes Open Hearts Program Cost: $6,500 USD

Home Study Costs: $1,500 plus provider's travel expenses

Clinic costs/FET: Estimated between $2,500 to $6,000 USD depending on the Snowflakes partner clinic you choose to work with. Medication costs may not be included and can be managed in-country, using your current medical coverage.

The full cost tends to range between $13,000 to $17,000 USD. Travel costs should also be considered. If you choose to be matched with a larger set of embryos, you may want to plan on multiple FET’s. Your Snowflakes Inquiry Specialist will help break down the costs to find a better estimation based on your overall plans, and the clinic you select.

We have a variety of recorded educational webinar topics you may find helpful as you consider adopting embryos, or placing embryos with an adopting family.

EMBRYO PLACING FAMILIES

We understand the difficult decision parents are faced with when they realize they have embryos they don’t plan to transfer. Snowflakes is willing to accept embryos created in and/or stored in Canada. For information and answers to your questions about placing your embryos with an adopting family through Snowflakes, please contact our placing parent inquiry specialist at 970-578-9700 for more information.