Embryo Donation

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Embryo Donation for Current TRIO Patients

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What is Embryo Donation?

Embryo donation is a form of third-party reproduction where embryos already created through IVF are donated to help another person or family achieve pregnancy. This differs from egg donation, where unfertilized eggs are provided and then fertilized with sperm as part of the treatment.

The TRIO Embryo Donation Program

TRIO’s embryo donation program is available to eligible current patients—those who are already under the care of a TRIO specialist and have an active medical file with our team. The program includes:

  1. Known Embryo Donation: A patient donates embryos to a specific recipient they know (both must be current TRIO patients).
  2. Matched Embryo Donation: Eligible current patients are matched with others within the TRIO community.

Participation involves medical assessment, mandatory counselling, and legal agreements. Please note that eligibility does not guarantee a match or that treatment will proceed.

Embryos From Other Clinics

If you are a TRIO patient working with embryos donated through another clinic, they may be considered for treatment here once they are transferred into the recipient’s name and all clinical, legal, and counselling requirements are met.

When to Consider Embryo Donation

When considering using donated embryos:

  • Individuals or couples who have untreatable infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss related to the embryos, or genetic disorders affecting one or both partners.
  • Embryo donation can also be used to help build families in same-sex couples or individuals.
  • Individuals or couples who meet the clinic’s requirements and assessment criteria for using donated embryos.
  • Intended parents who are comfortable with the legal and counselling processes involved in embryo donation, including fees for coordination, legal, and counselling services.
  • Individuals or couples who have had at least one unsuccessful IVF cycle.
  • Individuals or couples who do not currently have any frozen embryos at TRIO.
  • The prospective recipient(s) must be a TRIO patient.

When to consider donating your embryos:

  • Donors may have more embryos than they need for their family planning goals and prefer to donate them, rather than leave them in storage or destroy them.
  • Donors who wish to help another couple or individual achieve pregnancy for altruistic reasons, without expecting compensation.
  • Those who are willing to undergo the legal, counselling, and matching process to ensure a suitable recipient for their donated embryos.
  • Donors who have a minimum of 2 excess frozen embryos and are at least one year post-partum.

Important: TRIO’s embryo donation program is for eligible current TRIO patients. It is not a public donor-embryo registry or matching service.

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The Embryo Donation Process for Intended Parents

1

Referral From Your Physician

Your TRIO physician can refer you to the Embryo Donation program to learn more. This initial step helps guide you toward the necessary resources and information to get started.

2

Initial Consultation

You will meet with the Embryo Donation Nurse to discuss the process and requirements. During this meeting, you’ll be able to ask questions and understand the journey ahead.

3

Complete Forms and Review Consents

Fill out the Embryo Recipient Information Form to facilitate matching with potential donors. This helps us find the best match for your needs and preferences.

4

Counselling Session

Complete a mandatory counselling session to help both donors and recipients understand the emotional and legal aspects of embryo donation. If patients find a match, there is a follow-up counselling session. This ensures that everyone involved is well-informed and comfortable with the process.

5

Genetic Screening and Testing Update

To ensure the health and safety of the process, any embryos being donated must meet specific health screening and genetic testing requirements. If updated screening or carrier testing is required for the donors, TRIO will coordinate this process. For intended parents, this step ensures you receive a comprehensive health profile of the embryos before proceeding with a match or transfer.

6

Review Potential Matches

The next step is to review potential matches and select a donor. The donor and the recipient must mutually agree upon matches. This collaborative process ensures that both parties feel confident in the match.

7

Legal Process

You will be referred to a lawyer who handles the legal aspect of your journey. Legal agreements are established to establish ownership of the embryos and ensure clear terms for all parties involved. After the legal process, there are TRIO consents that need to be signed. These documents protect everyone's rights and clarify responsibilities.

8

Preparation and Embryo Transfer

Consult with your TRIO physician to prepare for the embryo transfer. A donor embryo transfer is prepared using a similar method to a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET). The intended parent or carrier will do bloodwork and take medication to prepare their uterus for the implantation of the embryo. Your TRIO medical team will guide you through each step.

Frequently Asked Questions about Program Eligibility

No. TRIO’s matched embryo donation program is available to eligible current TRIO patients. If you are new to TRIO, you can learn how to begin fertility care with our team. Once you are a patient, your physician can advise whether embryo donation may be appropriate to explore.

Matching is not available to the general public. It is considered only for eligible current TRIO patients who have completed the required assessment and program steps. A match cannot be guaranteed.

No. In egg donation, eggs are donated before fertilization. In embryo donation, an embryo has already been created using an egg and sperm. The medical process, genetic relationship, and legal and counselling considerations differ.

Frequently Asked Questions for Recipients

Yes. It is legal and must be done altruistically.

TRIO's donation program is open to TRIO patients only. If you wish to use donated embryos from another clinic, then they must be received by TRIO in your name. Prospective donors and recipients will need to be assessed and meet the clinic's requirements. 

While there is no fee for the embryos themselves, recipients are responsible for an Embryo Donation Coordination fee, legal fees, and counselling fees. The total fee for recipients includes the coordination fee, legal fees, and counseling fees.

Recipients undergo mandatory counselling sessions with a counselor specific to embryo donation. Counseling is aimed at ensuring recipients understand the process and potential implications of embryo donation.

Recipients can withdraw from the program by contacting the clinic in writing. Depending on the stage of the process, they may be eligible for a partial refund of the coordination fee.

Recipients must have legal agreements in place before the ownership of embryos is transferred to them. Legal agreements are separate for both parties involved in the donation and must be completed with legal counsel.

The level of openness is up to the prospective recipient and the donor. This will be explored in depth in the counselling sessions.

Already a TRIO patient? Email embryodonation@triofertility.com to learn whether the program may be appropriate for you.

Not yet a TRIO patient? Book online with a nurse practitioner to become a patient or learn more about program eligibility. 
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Frequently Asked Questions for Donors

No. In egg donation, eggs are donated before fertilization. In embryo donation, an embryo has already been created using an egg and sperm. The medical process, genetic relationship, and legal and counselling considerations differ.

Patients who have embryos in excess of their own reproductive needs and meet the clinic's requirements and assessment criteria can donate embryos. Donors must undergo counseling, testing, and legal processes as outlined by the clinic.

Donors must complete a mandatory counselling session to explore the emotional, legal, and social implications of donating their embryos. This session ensures that donors and their partners (if applicable) are fully informed, comfortable with the altruistic nature of the gift, and understand the potential for future contact or anonymity within the legal framework of the agreement.

No, embryo donation is strictly altruistic, and donors do not receive compensation for donating their embryos.

Embryo donations are done through known or matched donation. Donors either have a recipient in mind or are matched with a recipient through the clinic. Recipients must be current patients of the clinic and meet necessary requirements.

Donors can withdraw their consent at any time before the recipient signs their consent. They can do so by contacting the clinic in writing.

If the embryos were created using an anonymous egg donor, they are eligible for donation only if the donor has consented to it. If not, efforts can be made to contact the donor to request consent or involve the agency to facilitate communication.

Patient Stories

“Dr Laskin and the staff at TRIO are amazing. Everyone made us feel comfortable and they are so friendly. The clinic is welcoming. They helped us through the whole IVF process. Our little Baby Girl, Julianne, is two and a half months old and we are so grateful and in love. 💜 Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
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Ashleigh, Patients
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