The Fate of Cryopreserved Embryos: A Silent Dilemma That Needs Visibility and Support

How early counseling can transform the experience of both patients and clinics — insights from Juliana Pedro’s case study in Portugal.

Inside the labs of assisted reproduction, science advances with precision and hope. But a crucial question often remains in the shadows: what happens to the cryopreserved embryos that will not be transferred?

The answer is rarely simple. In fact, the decision is often postponed for years—until one day, the clinic must send a letter. And suddenly, urgency crashes into a past that once seemed closed.

This is the scenario that clinical psychologist Juliana Pedro explored in her presentation at ESHRE, where she explained how integrating decisions about surplus embryos early in the fertility journey can radically change the experience for patients.

📌 Tough decisions, deep emotions

Juliana shares real patient reflections like:

“My child is already 20 years old… I didn’t imagine that their ‘little siblings’ were still there… it’s very hard to decide now.”

Following changes in Portuguese law that required decisions about embryos frozen decades ago, many patients experienced:

• Emotional shock

• Deep indecision

• Guilt or sadness

• And in some cases, the desire to avoid the decision altogether

📖 The options patients face:

1. Donation to other patients
   Often seen as an act of adoption, involving emotional and ethical considerations about the recipients.

2. Donation to science
   Chosen by those unwilling to donate to others but also uncomfortable with elimination.

3. Elimination
   The most common choice, yet often the most emotionally burdensome.

4. Continued storage
   A way of postponing the final decision—often due to emotional weight or a desire to keep the option open.

🤝 How can we do things differently?

Juliana proposes a model based on:

• Early informed consent, at the point of cryopreservation.

• Reflection time, even before the treatment outcome is known.

• Psychological counseling, embedded into clinical practice.

• Clear, ongoing communication, throughout the treatment journey.

• Emotional empowerment, not just legal compliance.

🔍 What can ReproCopilot do to help?

ReproCopilot is not just a traceability tool — it’s a decision-support system that empowers clinics to:

• Track the legal and storage status of cryopreserved embryos.

• Manage evolving informed consent forms across time.

• Send gentle, well-timed reminders that respect the emotional journey.

• Offer a clear, human-centered overview of available options.

Assisted reproduction shouldn’t leave the hardest decisions until the very end. ReproCopilot is not just about technology. It’s about transforming care — offering tools that anticipate emotional moments, and guide patients and professionals through shared, human-centered choices.

With the right information, space to reflect, and a caring approach, tough decisions can become shared milestones.