PROSTOCK-STUDIO/ADOBE STOCK
B U I L D I N G R E L AT I O N S H I P S
Another aspect of embryo adoption that
sets it apart from other adoption routes is
its propensity towards maintaining donor
and adoptive family relationships.

Tyson advises couples to request open
adoption because it encourages sibling
relationships. “We want those two families over time
to develop a relationship with one another
because those two families have children
who are genetic siblings to one another,
and we think that is in the best interest of
the children,” she says.

The Cleavers have written contact with
the family that adopted their embryos
at least once a year. Lisa Alberta says she
has open communication with her adop-
tive family, sending photos and texts back
and forth. In October, the Albertas trav-
eled to Virginia to meet them for the first
time in person.

“We just had so much peace with the
decision,” Lisa Alberta says of donat-
ing to Snowflakes. “We could tell every-
thing leading up to this particular moment
was part of God’s plan in helping this
beautiful couple.”
Since donor families are able to choose
who adopts their embryos, there’s
also a natural bond that forms during
the process.

Tasha Brodgin Coates says she was
drawn to one couple who discussed how
they had tried for years to conceive unsuc-
cessfully and also shared about themselves
and their interests. “I feel like I got to know
them as a couple,” she says.

Vest says with hundreds of thousands
of embryos still frozen, she hopes adopt-
ing at the embryo stage becomes a more
well-known and understood way of start-
ing a family.

“My kids are my kids, and I got to carry
them,” she says. “I got to nurse them. I got
to be a mom.” T
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