New Year, New Hope: Understanding Your Options for Donor Embryos
Jan 06, 2026
Donor embryo programs provide the chance to experience pregnancy and childbirth while building a family in a unique and profoundly meaningful way.
It’s one of the fertility services we’re pleased to offer at Gago Center for Fertility. It helps meet our commitment to individuals and couples in Brighton, Lansing, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, who hope to achieve their dreams of parenthood.
Learn more about donor embryos, who they may be right for, and how this option could represent a fresh start on your fertility journey.
Donor embryos are created through in vitro fertilization (IVF), but not for the biological parents. Instead, these embryos are generously donated for adoption to others who wish to grow their families.
Unlike egg or sperm donation alone, donor embryos allow intended parents to bypass the fertilization stage and proceed directly to embryo transfer.
For many, this option combines the emotional benefits of adoption with the physical experience of pregnancy. It can be an empowering choice for those who want to carry and give birth to their child while embracing a different genetic path to parenthood.
Donor embryos can be an excellent option for a wide range of patients, including:
Every fertility journey is unique. Donor embryos offer flexibility and hope when other options feel limited.
One of the most significant advantages of donor embryos is accessibility. Because the embryos already exist, treatment often involves fewer medical steps, lower medication costs, and shorter timelines.
Success rates can also be encouraging, particularly when embryos come from younger donors or have been genetically screened.
Emotionally, many patients find comfort in knowing that donor embryos are given with generosity and intention. There’s often a strong sense of connection and gratitude that comes with this path, creating a meaningful foundation for family building.
The donor embryo process typically begins with counseling and education to ensure you feel informed and supported.
After selecting a donor embryo, your care team prepares your body for embryo transfer through a personalized treatment plan.
For instance, Dr. Laura April Gago may recommend medication to create a more hospitable environment for the embryo by increasing the development of your endometrial lining.
The transfer itself is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure, similar to a standard IVF embryo transfer. Dr. Gago uses a thin catheter to position the embryo in the uterus. Results are typically apparent within two weeks.
Throughout the journey, our team provides medical guidance, emotional support, and resources to help you feel confident every step of the way.
Adopting a donor embryo is a profoundly personal decision, but for many, it represents renewed hope and possibility. As the new year unfolds, it may be the perfect time to explore all your fertility options and take the next step toward the family you’ve been dreaming about.
Schedule an evaluation at Gago Center for Fertility today by calling the office nearest you or requesting an appointment online.