“I knew you before you were yet formed in your mother’s womb.”
– Psalm 139:13
The Lancaster’s were the first family in Washington State to adopt embryos from another family. For many years prior to this, Jeff and Maria struggled with infertility and endured several painful miscarriages. They first learned of embryo adoption while listening to Dr. James Dobson’s radio program Focus on the Family, while Dr. Dobson interviewed Marlene Strege, the first ever woman who had adopted frozen embryos. Jeff and Maria contacted Dr. Dobson and he referred them to the same adoption agency, Nightlight Christian Adoptions.
Jeff and Maria are now the proud parents of a beautiful daughter, Elisha. She is a reminder to us all – that life is precious – and that life does begin at conception. Jeff and Maria hope to bring encouragement and healing to those struggling with infertility, as well as offer a wonderful solution to those that have embryos remaining in cryo-preservation.
Maria Lancaster now serves as Co-founder and President of Embryo Adoption Services of Cedar Park. Maria holds a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry, an Honorary Doctorate degree in Theology, and is also a licensed and ordained Christian minister. Maria served as the NW Regional Representative for the Embryo Adoption Awareness Campaign in 2006, a grant funded by the Bush Administration to promote awareness of embryo adoption. Her personal story, business experience, and education in Christian Ministry are an asset to Embryo Adoption Services of Cedar Park.
Embryo Adoption Services of Cedar Park is a Christian organization. They believe that life begins at conception, and that every embryo is worthy of a loving family. Their focus is to unite genetic families that have remaining embryos from previous IVF treatments, with adopting families, for the purposes of providing a loving, nurturing environment for the child, and bringing the endless joy of parenthood to those that embrace these little ones. The pictures below are of couples who have adopted children through their services.
The Cedar Park program is designed to make embryo adoption both affordable and accessible, while at the same time, providing a venue for both the genetic family and the adopting family to have the advantage of choosing the kind of contact they will have with each other. Some families may want an “open” model; other families may want to reserve contact through Cedar Park. They will work to provide the parameters that each family is most comfortable with. Counseling is available and encouraged to determine what would be the best for each family.
How embryo adoption works for the adopting family
If a family is interested in having a child or children, this is a wonderful way to add to a family – even if they already have children. While many couples that seek Cedar Park’s services are not able to have children, this option is available to families with a child or children that would like to have more. They will handle all the paperwork, ship the embryos to a designated physician, and be the liaison between the adopting and donating family for life.
Here’s the basic process to adopt:
Application Form – Cedar Park will send the adopting family all of the paperwork required.
Home Study – The adopting family will undergo a streamlined home study, similar to the home study couples undergo when adopting a born child. Cedar Park has social workers available. If the adopting couple has a current completed home study that may suffice. If not current, the home study can be updated.
Photo book – The adopting family is asked to make a photo book about themselves, and also write a family letter to share with a prospective donating family. This is done on a first name basis only.
Matching – Once a match is determined, and the adopting family approves of the donor family and the embryos, the embryos are shipped to a designated doctor’s clinic via a frozen embryo transfer (FET). The adopting family receives all the embryos the donating family has, so all the siblings may have a chance to be born in one household, if at all possible. The adopting family is not responsible for any remaining embryos once a child (or children) has been conceived. The remaining embryos are returned to the donor family.
Contracts – Cedar Park completes the legal contracts for both families and move the embryos once contracts are completed by both families.
The kind of contact between the families is decided by the donor family. Here are some basic types of contact through the Cedar Park program:
- Anonymous – Cedar Park picks a family for the donor family and work to move the embryos to the adopting family clinic.
- Closed adoption – The donor family knows only the first names of the adopting family.
- Semi-open adoption – Donors know the adopting family by their first names only, and have communication facilitated through Embryo Adoption Services of Cedar Park.
- Open adoption – Donors get to know the adopting family on a first and last name basis and would be allowed contact with the family and their child on mutually agreed upon terms.
Questions addressed:
How much are the fees of Embryo Adoption Services of Cedar Park?
Fees are: $375 application fee, $6,800 program fee, $1,800 home study fee. The “Program Fee” can be paid via a flexible payment plan. There are no fees for placing/donating families.
How long does it take?
Generally, 1-2 months to do the home study, and determine a match. A better estimate can be made once Cedar Park receives information about the adopting family and their needs.
Is a home study necessary?
Yes, adopting families must have a home study by a licensed social worker prior to matching with a family. A designated social worker can travel anywhere in the U.S.
How many embryos are received once the adopting family is matched with a donor family?
The adopting family will receive all the embryos that the donating family has available. This could be 2-20 embryos (average 4-8). Once an adopting family is complete, the remaining embryos may be matched with another family. If any born children come from another match, it can be possible to have contact with that family for the sake of the sibling relationships but is not required.
Are embryos available right now?
Yes. This includes embryos from many different racial and ethnic backgrounds and combinations. There is not a current waiting list.
What are the average success rates?
Generally speaking, on a national average, there is a born child per transfer about 35 – 40% of the time. There are many variables that can increase the odds of success. To date, Cedar Parks success rates are higher than the national average.
Do adopting families have access to a medical history background on the donating families?
Yes. The adopting family will have all medical information before making a final decision on a pending match. In most cases, photos and letters from the donating family will be sent to the adopting family, as well.
Embryo Adoption Services of Cedar Park would be happy to answer questions by phone or email. They can also mail a complete Information Packet with application and everything else needed to get started on an embryo adoption.
For more information, please visit their website by clicking HERE.