Embryo adoption through Beginnings private adoption agency in Canada
An interview with Beginnings Family Services
On Episode 32 of My Fertility Podcast we explored the transformative world of embryo adoption with Elaine and Julia from Beginnings private adoption agency in Ontario. As the only agency in Canada offering this unique program, Beginnings has been a pioneer in helping families grow through embryo donation and adoption. Elaine, the program manager, and Julia, the program coordinator, joined us to share their insights, experiences, and the life-changing potential of embryo adoption.
This detailed interview sheds light on the incredible work being done by Beginnings, offering hope to families navigating infertility. We cover:
- What is Beginnings Family Services?
- What inspired Beginnings to take on embryo adoption
- The impact Beginnings has had on the community
- The process, requirements, and challenges
Can you start by telling us about Beginnings and what makes it unique in the adoption space?
Elaine and Julia:
Beginnings Family Services has been working with Canadian families since 1984. We started as a traditional adoption agency, facilitating domestic adoptions. Over time, we realized that there are many ways for children to become part of families. In 2010, we launched our embryo donor and recipient program to address a growing need we saw among families dealing with infertility.
The program is special because it offers an alternative to traditional adoption and provides embryos, which might otherwise remain frozen indefinitely, a chance at life. It’s also child-centered, aligning with our belief in openness and transparency, so children can understand their genetic origins.
What’s unique about Beginnings is our commitment to open adoption principles, even with embryo adoption. Traditional embryo donation is often anonymous, but we promote openness because it benefits the child and builds trust among all parties. We’re also the only agency in Canada offering a program like this, which makes us incredibly proud.
What inspired Beginnings to take on embryo adoption?
Elaine and Julia:
The idea came from seeing many of our adoption applicants who had tried or were considering assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IVF. Often, these couples faced difficult decisions about unused embryos once their families were complete.
For years, the options were limited: embryos could be destroyed, donated to medical research, or kept in storage indefinitely. However, none of these options gave the embryos a chance to become part of a family. Our former directors, Mary Howlett Nero and Carrie Vandergrift, saw an opportunity to bridge this gap.
They had heard of similar programs in the U.S. but noticed that everything was anonymous. In Ontario, adoption laws emphasize openness, so Mary and Carrie envisioned a program where embryo donation could happen transparently. Their late-night discussions and brainstorming sessions led to what we have today. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in just over a decade.
Beginnings Private Adoption Agency: Since launching the program, what kind of impact have you seen?
Elaine and Julia:
The first baby was born through our program in 2013. Since then, approximately 80 babies have been born, with more on the way. In 2024 alone, we welcomed seven babies, with two more expected soon. It’s a joy to hear from families and see how these embryos have become cherished members of their lives.
What’s truly rewarding is hearing from recipients who never thought they’d have the opportunity to carry a pregnancy or build a family. Knowing that we’ve helped them achieve that dream is why we do what we do.
For people considering donating their embryos, what does the process look like?
Elaine and Julia:
It starts with a consultation. Most donors find us through their fertility clinic, our website, or social media. They fill out an intake form, and we review their situation.
There are some criteria. For example, donors must have at least two viable embryos to donate, which ensures recipients have multiple opportunities to conceive. We also evaluate the embryos’ grading and viability. Donors incur no costs—recipients cover expenses like shipping and legal fees.
Another critical step is reviewing any contracts from previous sperm or egg donors if the embryos involve donor gametes. Legally, we need to ensure the embryos can be donated.
Are there any special requirements for the embryos themselves?
Elaine and Julia:
We don’t have strict requirements, but certain factors can affect the matching process. For instance, embryos created with donor gametes might require extra legal clearance. If embryos have undergone genetic testing (PGT), we review those results too.
Some embryos might have characteristics that make them harder to match, like being slow-frozen or from an older donor. But we’ve seen surprises—embryos that didn’t look great on paper have resulted in healthy, happy babies.
For someone looking to adopt embryos, what does the process look like?
Elaine and Julia:
Recipients must be Canadian residents over 18. They can be single or in a relationship, and at least one person typically needs to be able to carry a pregnancy. Beyond that, there are no restrictions based on marital status, religion, ethnicity, or gender identity.
The costs range from $12,000 to $15,000, which includes agency fees, legal expenses, counseling, and often one embryo transfer. These fees are billed incrementally to make them more manageable.
How does the matching process work?
Elaine and Julia:
It starts with recipients reviewing anonymized donor profiles, which include details like physical traits, medical history, and educational background. Recipients rank their preferences, and donors review profiles only from families who’ve expressed interest in them.
Once a match is made, we facilitate an initial meeting. It’s a bit nerve-wracking at first, but these meetings often help build a foundation for openness. Both parties discuss their expectations, which shape the openness agreement.
Why is openness so important in embryo adoption?
Elaine and Julia:
We’ve learned from traditional adoption that openness benefits the child. It removes the mystery around their origins and fosters healthy relationships between genetic siblings. It’s also about ensuring the child has access to medical history and a sense of identity.
We’ve heard from donor-conceived individuals about the trauma of not knowing their genetic background. By promoting openness, we give children the tools to understand their story.
What challenges do families face in this process?
Elaine and Julia:
Timelines can vary. Some recipients are matched within months, while others wait years, depending on their preferences. Factors like wanting PGT-tested embryos or a specific racial match can lengthen the wait.
Another challenge is ensuring clinics accept outside embryos. Not all fertility clinics do, so recipients should confirm this early on.
Elaine, you mentioned you have a personal connection to this work. Can you share your story?
Elaine and Julia:
In my late twenties, I faced fertility challenges and went through multiple rounds of Clomid, IUIs, and eventually IVF. Unfortunately, I wasn’t successful, and I never had to decide what to do with unused embryos.
Eventually, I turned to traditional adoption and, at 29, adopted my daughter from Russia. That experience gave me a deep understanding of the emotional rollercoaster families go through. It’s why I approach this work with empathy and a trauma-informed perspective.
What advice would you give to families considering embryo donation or adoption?
Elaine and Julia:
Stay hopeful. Building a family is a journey, and there are many paths to get there. Reach out for support—whether from us, your clinic, or a community. Don’t isolate yourself during this process.
We’re here to cheer you on, no matter where you are in your journey. Whether it’s one phone call or seeing you through to a successful pregnancy, we want to support you. Every story we hear inspires us.
Elaine and Julia’s insights highlight the transformative potential of embryo adoption. Beginnings’ program not only offers hope to families navigating infertility but also fosters connections that honor openness and the child’s well-being.
If you’re considering embryo adoption or donation, Beginnings provides a compassionate, supportive community to guide you every step of the way. For more on this topic, tune in to Episode 32 of My Fertility Podcast.
Connect with Beginnings Private Adoption Agency
Website: www.beginnings.ca