What Do I Do With My Embryos?

Creating embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most significant milestones in a family-building journey. Whether you're an intended parent preparing for surrogacy or planning your own pregnancy, once embryos are created, a big question looms: What now?

This article breaks down what happens to embryos after creation, how they're used, stored, tested, transferred—and what your options are for any remaining embryos. It’s not always a simple decision, but with the right information, it becomes a manageable one.

What Happens When These Embryos Are Created?

Embryos are typically created during the IVF process, which involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab, and allowing them to grow for several days (usually 3 to 5) into blastocysts.

• Transferred fresh into a uterus right away
• Frozen for future use
• Tested for genetic or chromosomal conditions
• Donated or discarded later (depending on legal permissions)

You, as the intended parent or genetic parent, have legal rights and responsibilities regarding what happens next.

Will My Embryos Be Used as Fresh or Frozen Embryos?

In modern fertility practice, frozen embryo transfers (FET) are now more common than fresh transfers. Why? Because freezing technology—specifically vitrification—has become so advanced that success rates for frozen transfers now match or even exceed fresh ones.

• Allowing time for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)
• Giving the uterus time to recover after stimulation
• Syncing cycles with a surrogate’s or intended parent's body
• Managing travel or medical delays

That said, fresh transfers can still be a good choice for specific situations. Your fertility team will help decide what works best for your case.

Should I Test My Embryos?

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is offered for embryos before transfer. This testing can identify:

• Aneuploidy (abnormal number of chromosomes)
• Inherited genetic conditions (like cystic fibrosis or Tay-Sachs)
• Sex of the embryo (if desired and legal)

There are three main types: PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGT-SR. Testing isn’t required, but it can increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and lower the risk of miscarriage. It can also help if you're transferring to a gestational carrier, giving confidence to both parties in the selected embryo.

However, there’s still some debate in the field about how accurate or predictive PGT is in borderline cases, especially with mosaic embryos. Always consult with your reproductive endocrinologist before deciding.

What Happens Leading Up to an Embryo Transfer?

Whether the embryo is going into your body or a surrogate’s, there’s a carefully coordinated preparation period. Here’s what it looks like:

• Cycle synchronization – Aligning the uterus with the embryo's developmental stage using hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
• Monitoring – Bloodwork and ultrasounds track the uterine lining.
• Transfer scheduling – When the uterus is ready, the embryo is thawed and transferred via catheter.
• Support medications – Continued progesterone supports early implantation.

For surrogacy, everything must align with the gestational carrier’s body and cycle. That’s why detailed medical planning and legal agreements are crucial before this step.

What Do I Do With My Remaining Embryos?

Here’s the big question—and for many, a tough one emotionally.

If you have more embryos than you plan to use (which is common), you’ll eventually need to make a decision about their future. These embryos are often frozen and stored indefinitely, but storage isn’t a forever solution. Over time, clinics will require you to make a decision.

Financially, embryo storage costs typically range from $500 to $1,500 per year. Clinics or storage facilities may request that you update consent forms annually, and eventually, decisions about disposition must be made.

Some legal guidance is available from agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.hhs.gov

You Have 4 Choices for Your Frozen Embryos:

When the time comes, you generally have four options for what to do with unused embryos:

1. Keep Them in Storage

   This is the default option—simply continue storing embryos for possible future use. Many parents do this until they are 100% sure their family is complete. But long-term storage isn’t a permanent solution. Legal obligations remain with the embryo owners, and you may be asked to make a final decision down the line. You can learn more about your reproductive responsibilities and rights here: https://www.cdc.gov

2. Use Them in a Future Transfer

   Even if you’re done with surrogacy now, life changes. Some families return to their stored embryos years later for a sibling journey. Medical science shows that frozen embryos can remain viable for over a decade.

3. Donate Them

   Embryo donation can be done anonymously or through open arrangements. There are two paths:

   • To another family – Allowing others to attempt pregnancy using your embryos
   • To science/research – Supporting studies on fertility, genetics, and IVF advancements

   Be sure to consult your fertility clinic and understand your legal rights before donating. The National Institutes of Health provides guidance on ethical research usage: https://www.nih.gov

4. Thaw and Discard

   Some families, after much thought, choose to have their embryos thawed and discarded. This is a personal and often emotional decision. If this is your path, your clinic will follow ethical disposal protocols.

Some people also choose symbolic or spiritual ways to say goodbye during this process. You are allowed to grieve, reflect, or do nothing at all. There is no "wrong" way to let go.

You can explore legal frameworks and family planning resources at https://www.childwelfare.gov

Conclusion

Deciding what to do with your embryos is a deeply personal process. Whether you’re keeping them for future use, donating, or choosing to let them go, the decision deserves thought, support, and clarity.

Our job is to help you feel informed and empowered—no matter where you are in your journey. If you have embryos now or are preparing to create them, talk openly with your clinic and your surrogacy agency. Your embryos are more than medical materials—they represent potential, hope, and future family.

And wherever this decision takes you, we’re here to help you make it with confidence.