What to Know About Embryo Donation: A Comprehensive Guide for Growing Families
Understanding embryo donation
Embryo donation is a powerful and compassionate option for families who have completed their fertility journey and still have cryopreserved embryos remaining. Whether you're deciding what to do with your leftover embryos after IVF or you're a hopeful parent exploring alternative paths to parenthood, embryo donation may be the meaningful next step you’ve been searching for.
At the Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine (SCCRM), we provide expert care, personalized counseling, and trusted guidance throughout the embryo donation process, whether you're considering donating or receiving.
Why families choose embryo donation
Many patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) end up with frozen embryos that are no longer needed once their family is complete. Rather than keep them in storage, some choose to donate their embryos to another individual or couple facing infertility.
Donating embryos can help others build the family they’ve dreamed of. For many embryo donors, this decision offers closure and a deep sense of purpose. For recipients, it opens the door to pregnancy and parenthood when other options may be out of reach.
The impact of embryo donation
Embryo donation is more than a medical process — it’s an act of generosity. For the recipient family, it offers a chance at pregnancy and parenthood. For donors, it's a way to honor the emotional and physical journey they’ve taken through fertility treatment.
At SCCRM, we encourage patients to consider how their decision can impact others. The demand for donor embryos continues to grow, especially within underserved communities, where access to racially and ethnically matched embryos can take years.
How does the embryo donation process work?
The embryo donation process at SCCRM is ethical, transparent, and designed to ensure confidence and comfort at every stage—for both embryo donors and recipients.
1. Embryo donation
Eligible patients may choose to donate their embryos to SCCRM’s internal donation program, where they can potentially help another hopeful parent-to-be.
Key considerations:
Not all embryos are eligible for donation. Our team will review medical history, embryo quality, and other clinical factors to determine eligibility.
Donors complete a profile that includes non-identifiable information such as physical traits, ethnicity, medical background, and educational details.
Donors are not notified if or when their embryos are matched with a recipient.
Embryos from SCCRM’s program may not be transferred to other clinics.
2. Selecting a donated embryo
SCCRM’s donor embryo program is open to current patients or new patients who undergo an initial consultation. This ensures that all medical, emotional, and logistical aspects of embryo transfer are thoroughly addressed in advance.
Here’s what the process typically involves:
New patients begin with a consultation to review medical history and discuss their family-building goals.
Once a treatment plan is developed, patients work with an SCCRM coordinator to review available donor embryo profiles and select a match.
Recipients must complete medical and psychological screening, and all consenting documents are handled in-house to ensure transparency and compliance.
Embryos must have been created at Ovation Fertility; we cannot accept embryos from other clinics embryology labs.
What are my other options for my remaining embryos?
If embryo donation doesn’t feel like the right fit, there are other ways to honor your IVF journey and respect the embryos created along the way:
Donate embryos to scientific research
Help advance medical breakthroughs by donating embryos to Human Embryonic Stem Cell (HESC) research. This path contributes to treatments for diseases like Parkinson’s, diabetes, and more. Patients should contact the Ovation Fertility lab for details and next steps. Please note there are fees associated with donating embryos to HESC.
Alternatively, patients may also donate embryos for the training of embryology staff.
Thaw and respectfully discard
Some choose to thaw and discard embryos, either at the embryo lab or in a meaningful, personal way at home. This decision is entirely personal and can offer closure when guided by one’s own values and beliefs.
Patients will work with the Ovation Fertility lab team for next steps in all cases.
Emotional considerations and support
Choosing what to do with your remaining embryos is a deeply personal decision. There’s no “right” answer — only what’s right for you.
Final thoughts: The gift of growing a family through embryo donation
If you’ve completed your family and are wondering what to do with your frozen embryos, embryo donation may be the most meaningful decision you’ll ever make. It’s a chance to help others experience the joys of parenthood while honoring your own fertility journey.
Whether you're interested in donating embryos after IVF, becoming a recipient of donated embryos, or simply learning more, the experts at SCCRM and Ovation Fertility are here to help you every step of the way.
Ready to learn more about embryo donation in Orange County?
Schedule a consultation with our fertility experts and explore how your decision can give the gift of life.
Medical contributions by
Robert E. Anderson, M.D.
Double board-certified
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
With over 30 years experience in the field of Reproductive Medicine, Dr. Robert Anderson has developed a highly successful approach to the treatment of every type of fertility problem. He has been practicing in Orange County longer than any other Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist.
Don Royster, M.D.
Double board-certified
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
With over 15 years of experience as an OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) specialist, Dr. Don Royster joined SCCRM after serving on active duty in the United States Air Force for over 20 years, retiring at the rank of Colonel. He has performed over 6,000 surgeries and delivered over 1,000 babies with deployments and humanitarian missions across the globe.