The Embryo Adoption Podcast

After a long stretch of unexplained infertility, Amber describes it as “incredible, crazy, and magic” when she and Matt learned they were pregnant with twins through embryo adoption. In this episode, they share their helpful, inspiring story- highlighting the importance of communication, openness to unique family-building methods, and gratitude for the journey that’s brought them closer together....

NEDC President Dr. Jeffrey Keenan thinks February’s landmark Alabama Supreme Court ruling could lead to a more life-affirming world for frozen embryos. But it won’t happen without navigating some complex questions: Does “life begins at conception” include embryos? Are we willing to advocate for more ethical IVF? Can Christian believers unite on a life-affirming approach to fertility treatment? Dr....

Brittany & John once thought Klinefelter syndrome had erased any hope of experiencing pregnancy. Now, they’re in awe of God’s goodness as Brittany is about to deliver their embryo adoption baby. In this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, they share their journey, which they call “miraculous & remarkable.”   Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you...

Embryo adoption and infertility can be very tough on people who are “planners," like Jenna and her husband. They never planned to be a one-child family, but they are. In this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, Jenna unpacks an embryo adoption journey of both lasting joy and lingering disappointment. She also describes how God is working through her shattered plans to shape her. May her story...

Known as “The Queen of Christian Fiction,” bestselling author Karen Kingsbury has a new movie out- and it’s about embryo adoption! Karen joins The Embryo Adoption Podcast to talk about her newly released film Someone Like You (based on her book of the same name). It’s a story she believes in so much, she used her life savings to finance it!   Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adopti...

Embryo adoption parents Isaac & Olivia Hall say people have been asking them a lot more questions about embryo adoption and IVF lately. The spark: February’s Alabama Supreme Court decision declaring embryos to be human lives. Isaac & Olivia are a natural go-to couple, not only because they’ve adopted embryos, but because Isaac is a pastor. Hear more about the conversations they’re having p...

John & Sarah were prepared for another failure when the embryos in their second NEDC transfer were graded lower than those in their first. Now, they have twins from that transfer! Lots of helpful stuff in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast, including takeaways on overcoming cancer, the importance of having a mentor couple, not putting too much stock in an embryo’s grade, and trusting...

It’s easy to feel alone, whether you’re an adult experiencing pregnancy failure, or an embryo adoption kid with a different story than your peers. In this episode, NEDC mom Ambre Williams unpacks how community & prayer led her & her husband to peace during their uneven embryo adoption journey. Plus, she shares about her new children’s book, aimed at making embryo adoption children (and oth...

After an exhausting grind of failed IUIs and IVF, Cristina’s fertility doctor recommended she look at other options. That’s how she learned about embryo adoption, which resulted in triplets! Her story is packed with practical lessons on everything from trusting your body’s signals to taking on the tougher parts of parenting multiples. Be inspired as you learn how her older son’s longstanding Chris...

Travis & Kristen didn’t have any fertility issues (they already had four children) but did have a heart to adopt. That desire led them to choose embryo adoption. And although personal and medical challenges complicated their journey, they wouldn’t trade the result: Twin sisters who share a special bond that sweetens life for their large family.   Share, rate, review, and subscribe to The Embry...

Janae and Clayton had a deeply emotional embryo adoption journey filled with cycles of loss, followed by renewed hope. Along the way, Janae kept an open mind on everything, including choosing embryo adoption (which initially struck her as weird) in the first place, switching from an open to a closed adoption, and even changing her mind on whether to try a third embryo transfer. As she explains in...

Sometimes embryo adoption dads struggle with parental identity. That stems from being the only adult in the process -donor or recipient- without a genetic or biological connection to their child. But shared biology and genetics aren’t the only traits that make someone a ‘real dad.’ NEDC dad Derek King has worked through those awkward feelings. He has a ton of helpful insights for other EA dads to...

Wondering how to talk to your kids about embryo adoption? Trying to find peace amid infertility? Then this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast is a must-listen. Psychologist (and NEDC mom) Dr. Megan Herscher explores healthy approaches to each in our Season 3 finale. 

We’re having some fun in this episode! Almost 8 months after their births, catch up with the NEDC babies frozen as embryos for a world-record of nearly 30 years, Timothy & Lydia Ridgeway, as well as their parents Philip & Rachel. This family’s looking back on the wild and sometimes hilarious adventure of making global news. Would they do it all again?  ...  FULL TRANSCRIPT (Please note the...

After 15 years of marriage with no children, Chris & Rachel suddenly became parents of twins! Find out how sleep training was key to their finding a new routine, and how a stuffed bear not only helped Rachel through her fear of needles but will endure as a sentimental keepsake for their kids. All that, and the role their faith played, in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast.   Rate, rev...

Just what does it mean to choose open embryo adoption through the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC)? It’s a common question, and the answer looks different in every situation. NEDC moms Marti Bailey, Bethany Piechowski, and Nina Brenneman are sharing helpful insights in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast. Learn more at embryodonation.org. FULL TRANSCRIPT (Please note there may be spe...

You never know just what God will use to touch someone’s heart. For Lauren & Joe, a special childcare program called Safe Families eventually led them to a passion for embryo adoption. What followed were challenges: a longer than expected wait, Joe trying to overcome his anxiety about needles & giving shots, grieving the loss of an embryo that failed to thrive. But waiting at the end of it...

Jared & Kristi experienced the heartbreak of several embryo adoption transfers with no success. It made no sense to them. They know, this side of eternity, it never will. Yet there’s so much to learn from this brave NEDC couple. They’re sharing their story to help others, on this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast.  Rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wherever you li...

Embryo adoption mom Savannah Hansen once thought writing books was a childhood dream she’d just forget about. Then she saw the need for more children’s books to serve the adoption and embryo adoption communities. So she started, as they said in the old days, putting pen to paper. (Digital keystrokes to a phone app just doesn’t have the same ring, does it?) The result: Two children’s books you need...

Perry & Sydney went from being told to stop their medications (i.e.: their pregnancy was over)… to holding their miracle daughter. Their journey in between, virtually the whole time, was filled with anxiety. Hear how deeply they were shaped by infertility, and learn from what they did as they struggled to find contentment and a sense of certainty, in this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast...

Life throws us curve balls. For Jay and Elizabeth, the result was a family-building journey that showcases God’s variety and God’s provision. From a biological child to an embryo adoption baby, their story has it all (including how they adopted without debt!). It’s our prayer that this episode of The Embryo Adoption Podcast will leave you -like them- recounting the goodness of God. Learn more at e...

Madison got pancreatitis (twice!) and COVID while she was pregnant with Pia & Judah, her embryo adoption twins. That, combined with extended NICU stays for each baby, made Madison & Toby’s road to parenthood a taxing one. But they’d do it all again to experience the deep parental love consuming them now. Gain valuable insights from their story, from a case of nerves on the day of their fro...

Secondary infertility sent Arleta into the throes of depression, which sent her to YouTube, of all places. And through that, God led her & Owen to double blessings. How fitting that they arrived on Thanksgiving! (“Two turkeys,” their older son jokes.:)) They’re telling their story in this episode. Learn more at embryodonation.org.   Rate, review, and subscribe to The Embryo Adoption Podcast wh...

God opened Graham and Libby’s door to parenthood through the prayers of their foster child, and the work of a family concerned with saving a vulnerable young life. From there, the story only gets wilder… and more beautiful. God has walked them through a child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis, embryo adoption, and building a close relationship with their NEDC donor family. Along the way, He’s refined Gra...

“It’s not like God’s just going to drop a check in our lap,” Naomi thought. Then, actually, He did, through some generous friends who -as they handed them the check- told her and Michael, “This is for you to one day hold a baby in your arms.” We’re wrapping up Season Two of The Embryo Adoption Podcast with Michael and Naomi’s encouraging story of the special gift that enabled them to pursue embryo...