Porter Embryo Adoption
Donation protected
Our desire is to raise funds to start a family through embryo adoption. In helping us to meet our goal, you will be giving us the opportunity to start a family after many years of failed attempts to do so. We would be forever grateful for such a gift.
We are selling t-shirts as well. Multiple colors and styles available. Campaign ends June 3rd. Here is the link:
www.bonfire.com/porterembryoadoption
Our Story:
My name is Rachel Porter. My husband, Samson, and I have had the dream of being parents for going on 11 years. Up to this point, we have been unsuccessful in our attempts to start a family. I have "unexplained infertility", meaning despite the many tests which have been run to find the source of my infertility, no source has been found.
Our doctor has explained to us that, at this point IVF (invitro fertilization) is our best hope at having children. Samson and I, however, have a strong belief that life starts at conception. For that reason, we did not believe IVF was something we could do. With IVF, they harvest as many eggs from the mother as possible. Then, using the fathers sperm, try to fertilize as many of them as they can. Many do not fertilize, or die during the 3-5 day growing period after fertilization, or die during the thawing process for later attempts, which is why they make as many as they can to start with. Unfortunately, this process frequently leaves "extra" embryos once a couples family is complete, or for medical/financial reasons they cannot use the rest of their embryos themselves. When this happens, the couple has three options. Destroy the remaining embryos, donate them to science, or put them up for adoption (either through an agency or privately). We did not want to take the chance of having remaining embryos that we could not use ourselves.
Because of this, we decided to research all our options: foster care, foster-to-adopt, domestic/international adoption. All options were on the table and we had faith that we would be made parents one way or another. While researching adoption agencies and writing "Dear Birthmother" letters, it occurred to me that I had heard about this thing called "embryo adoption" years ago and thought how cool is was even then. So I started researching embryo adoption and my husband and I realized very quickly that this was the BEST option for us. Babies born through Embryo Adoption (also known as Embryo Donation) are known as "Snowflake Babies". Adopting a snowflake baby has many benefits when compared to traditional adoption or other third party reproduction (see below for details).
Through long hours of research on the subject, I met a woman from Boston who had four embryos she wanted to find a family for. She and her husband have two beautiful children from their IVF cycle, but cannot use the remaining embryos due to serious medical issues. Over the past few months, we have developed a relationships with this couple and they have graciously agreed to donate their embryos to us!
What's Next?
I have been in contact with our donors' clinic in Massachusetts and we are currently completing the testing that is needed to make sure I can safely carry to term. So far all tests have had great results! The next steps involve traveling to Massachusetts to sign contracts, meet the family in person, and counseling for both us and them. After those things are completed, I can get a treatment plan, start medications designed to make my uterus more receptive to an embryo (or two). Then, when my uterus' lining is just right, we travel back to Massachusetts for the actual Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET). A blood test is done 10 days after transfer to see if the embryo/s attached. If it/they did, everything from there on out is just like any other pregnancy.
What Your Donation Pays For:
Each Thaw Cycle costs $6,500. This amount must be paid before we can start medications for this cycle. We are looking at July to start.
This includes:
-Pre op
-Embryo transfer (OR fees, surgeon fees, lab fees)
-Assisted hatching
-Post-op
This DOES NOT include:
-Travel
-Viral testing
-Social work fee
-Legal fees (two lawyers- one for them, one for us)
-$500 anesthesia
-Any service done outside the IVF clinic (ie. testing to see if I can carry to term prior to going to Massachusetts)
What Your Support Means to Us
To us, these are not just some numbers or a bill needing to be paid. There can be no price placed on the value of a family, the value of a child. Our gratefulness for being given the opportunity to be parents cannot be measured. We believe we have been lead down this path by God and we continue to pray for His guidance daily. We would invite you to pray with us, that His will above all else be done. He knows the desires of our hearts and he cares about those desires. We have faith that He will provide for us.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord , 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" -Jerimiah 29:11
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
-Matthew 10:29-31

What is Embryo Adoption/Donation?
-When a woman or couple goes through in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryos are created with the male partner’s or donor’s sperm and the woman’s or donor’s eggs. One or more of these embryos will be implanted into the woman’s uterus to begin a pregnancy.
-Unused embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen) for later use, or discarded. Some women or couples who have completed their families and no longer need their unused embryos may choose to donate the embryos.
-An infertile couple (due to female infertility, male infertility or both) may consider using donated embryos as a way for the woman to carry a pregnancy and give birth. This also cuts out the cost of creating embryos, meaning the procedure will be less costly than traditional IVF.
-After the arrangements have been made, one or more of the donated embryos are thawed and implanted into the recipient mother’s uterus.
-Although the woman or couple who uses donated embryos will not be related to the child genetically, they will get to have the experience of pregnancy and birth.
https://trmbaby.com/library/donation-surrogacy/embryo-donation/
What Are the Benefits of Embryo Adoption/Donation?
1. Embryo Adoption allows the mother to experience pregnancy and childbirth.
Many families who cannot conceive mourn the fact they have never experienced pregnancy and childbirth. Other types of adoption cannot alleviate this grief. When the woman has received a successful frozen embryo transfer, the baby begins to grow in her womb and she gets to experience all of the joys and challenges of pregnancy, labor and delivery.
2. Embryo Adoption allows parents to begin bonding with their child immediately.
In other types of adoption, adoptive couples begin to bond with their children later than do parents of biological children. Even families who adopt an infant do not begin the bonding process until the child is born. While the bond that is formed is a strong as that between a parent and their biological child, being able to form that bond beginning in-utero can be a precious gift for adopting couples.
3. Embryo Adoption allows the parents to control the prenatal experience.
The adopting family will choose a doctor to help oversee their pregnancy and pre-natal care. They will ensure a healthy diet and lifestyle. They will select the type of childbirth experience they desire. It allows them to enjoy peace of mind that comes from knowing they have given their adopted child the best start in life possible.
4. Embryo Adoption is less expensive than other types of adoption.
In the United States an infant domestic adoption with average $25,000-$30,000. An international adoption can cost upwards of $50,000! The process of embryo adoption, including agency fees, home study costs and one frozen embryo transfer treatment will average $12,000-$15,000, which is often less expensive than one IVF cycle. (This cost is even less in private embryo donation as there are no agency or home study fees)
5. Embryo Adoption gives embryos a chance to have life.
Most adopting families want to make a difference the life of the child they adopt. Adopting families who choose embryo adoption are no different. By choosing embryo adoption, they give another family’s remaining embryos a chance to be born.
https://www.embryoadoption.org/2016/05/5-advantages-of-embryo-adoption/
We are selling t-shirts as well. Multiple colors and styles available. Campaign ends June 3rd. Here is the link:
www.bonfire.com/porterembryoadoption
Our Story:
My name is Rachel Porter. My husband, Samson, and I have had the dream of being parents for going on 11 years. Up to this point, we have been unsuccessful in our attempts to start a family. I have "unexplained infertility", meaning despite the many tests which have been run to find the source of my infertility, no source has been found.
Our doctor has explained to us that, at this point IVF (invitro fertilization) is our best hope at having children. Samson and I, however, have a strong belief that life starts at conception. For that reason, we did not believe IVF was something we could do. With IVF, they harvest as many eggs from the mother as possible. Then, using the fathers sperm, try to fertilize as many of them as they can. Many do not fertilize, or die during the 3-5 day growing period after fertilization, or die during the thawing process for later attempts, which is why they make as many as they can to start with. Unfortunately, this process frequently leaves "extra" embryos once a couples family is complete, or for medical/financial reasons they cannot use the rest of their embryos themselves. When this happens, the couple has three options. Destroy the remaining embryos, donate them to science, or put them up for adoption (either through an agency or privately). We did not want to take the chance of having remaining embryos that we could not use ourselves.
Because of this, we decided to research all our options: foster care, foster-to-adopt, domestic/international adoption. All options were on the table and we had faith that we would be made parents one way or another. While researching adoption agencies and writing "Dear Birthmother" letters, it occurred to me that I had heard about this thing called "embryo adoption" years ago and thought how cool is was even then. So I started researching embryo adoption and my husband and I realized very quickly that this was the BEST option for us. Babies born through Embryo Adoption (also known as Embryo Donation) are known as "Snowflake Babies". Adopting a snowflake baby has many benefits when compared to traditional adoption or other third party reproduction (see below for details).
Through long hours of research on the subject, I met a woman from Boston who had four embryos she wanted to find a family for. She and her husband have two beautiful children from their IVF cycle, but cannot use the remaining embryos due to serious medical issues. Over the past few months, we have developed a relationships with this couple and they have graciously agreed to donate their embryos to us!
What's Next?
I have been in contact with our donors' clinic in Massachusetts and we are currently completing the testing that is needed to make sure I can safely carry to term. So far all tests have had great results! The next steps involve traveling to Massachusetts to sign contracts, meet the family in person, and counseling for both us and them. After those things are completed, I can get a treatment plan, start medications designed to make my uterus more receptive to an embryo (or two). Then, when my uterus' lining is just right, we travel back to Massachusetts for the actual Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET). A blood test is done 10 days after transfer to see if the embryo/s attached. If it/they did, everything from there on out is just like any other pregnancy.
What Your Donation Pays For:
Each Thaw Cycle costs $6,500. This amount must be paid before we can start medications for this cycle. We are looking at July to start.
This includes:
-Pre op
-Embryo transfer (OR fees, surgeon fees, lab fees)
-Assisted hatching
-Post-op
This DOES NOT include:
-Travel
-Viral testing
-Social work fee
-Legal fees (two lawyers- one for them, one for us)
-$500 anesthesia
-Any service done outside the IVF clinic (ie. testing to see if I can carry to term prior to going to Massachusetts)
What Your Support Means to Us
To us, these are not just some numbers or a bill needing to be paid. There can be no price placed on the value of a family, the value of a child. Our gratefulness for being given the opportunity to be parents cannot be measured. We believe we have been lead down this path by God and we continue to pray for His guidance daily. We would invite you to pray with us, that His will above all else be done. He knows the desires of our hearts and he cares about those desires. We have faith that He will provide for us.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord , 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" -Jerimiah 29:11
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
-Matthew 10:29-31
What is Embryo Adoption/Donation?
-When a woman or couple goes through in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryos are created with the male partner’s or donor’s sperm and the woman’s or donor’s eggs. One or more of these embryos will be implanted into the woman’s uterus to begin a pregnancy.
-Unused embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen) for later use, or discarded. Some women or couples who have completed their families and no longer need their unused embryos may choose to donate the embryos.
-An infertile couple (due to female infertility, male infertility or both) may consider using donated embryos as a way for the woman to carry a pregnancy and give birth. This also cuts out the cost of creating embryos, meaning the procedure will be less costly than traditional IVF.
-After the arrangements have been made, one or more of the donated embryos are thawed and implanted into the recipient mother’s uterus.
-Although the woman or couple who uses donated embryos will not be related to the child genetically, they will get to have the experience of pregnancy and birth.
https://trmbaby.com/library/donation-surrogacy/embryo-donation/
What Are the Benefits of Embryo Adoption/Donation?
1. Embryo Adoption allows the mother to experience pregnancy and childbirth.
Many families who cannot conceive mourn the fact they have never experienced pregnancy and childbirth. Other types of adoption cannot alleviate this grief. When the woman has received a successful frozen embryo transfer, the baby begins to grow in her womb and she gets to experience all of the joys and challenges of pregnancy, labor and delivery.
2. Embryo Adoption allows parents to begin bonding with their child immediately.
In other types of adoption, adoptive couples begin to bond with their children later than do parents of biological children. Even families who adopt an infant do not begin the bonding process until the child is born. While the bond that is formed is a strong as that between a parent and their biological child, being able to form that bond beginning in-utero can be a precious gift for adopting couples.
3. Embryo Adoption allows the parents to control the prenatal experience.
The adopting family will choose a doctor to help oversee their pregnancy and pre-natal care. They will ensure a healthy diet and lifestyle. They will select the type of childbirth experience they desire. It allows them to enjoy peace of mind that comes from knowing they have given their adopted child the best start in life possible.
4. Embryo Adoption is less expensive than other types of adoption.
In the United States an infant domestic adoption with average $25,000-$30,000. An international adoption can cost upwards of $50,000! The process of embryo adoption, including agency fees, home study costs and one frozen embryo transfer treatment will average $12,000-$15,000, which is often less expensive than one IVF cycle. (This cost is even less in private embryo donation as there are no agency or home study fees)
5. Embryo Adoption gives embryos a chance to have life.
Most adopting families want to make a difference the life of the child they adopt. Adopting families who choose embryo adoption are no different. By choosing embryo adoption, they give another family’s remaining embryos a chance to be born.
https://www.embryoadoption.org/2016/05/5-advantages-of-embryo-adoption/
Co-organizers (2)
Rachel Porter
Organizer
Ozark, MO
Samson Isidore Porter
Co-organizer