In 2012, about five months after the kids were born, I got my yearly bill again and decided to keep the embryos. All sorts of "what if..." scenarios ran through my head and I was barely functioning due to the lack of sleep. I wasn't ready to make any kind of big decision at that time.
It's now 2013 and I am blessed to have two happy, healthy, 15-month old boys and I'm pretty sure my baby making days are behind me, but only 99% sure. There is still a little "what if..." way in the back of my head.
I found out some interesting information about freezing sperm, eggs and embryos. Here's what everyone should know...
- Sperm, to put it bluntly, is not valuable at all. We all knew this. I asked if there was anything that science could do with my frozen sperm and was told no.
- Embryos can be discarded completely, donated to science for research, or donated to another person for him/her/them to use. In my particular circumstance I had agreed in my contract not to donate my embryos to other people.
- If I choose to discard the embryos completely they are held for 60 days in case I change my mind. After 60 days they will be discarded.
- If I choose to donate the embryos to science there are a lot of steps/parts. After signing a consent form the embryos will stay frozen until they match the needs of a research project. The woman I spoke with said she had been working at the lab for two years and has yet to have any embryos qualify for a project. If the embryos are picked for research I will be contacted and I will have to sign a second form agreeing that I want my embryos donated. But if, at that time, I decide not to donate my embryos to research, I can decide to reclaim my embryos and pay all the fees for storage in arrears.