A deep dive into patients' attitudes and how clinics can guide them with empathy and precision.
At the heart of every cryopreserved embryo lies more than just cells: a story, a hope, a pending decision.
During the recent ESHRE workshop “The fate of supernumerary cryopreserved embryos” held in Alicante, Dr. Giuliana Baccino invited us to spend “one minute in their shoes”: the shoes of a couple who, after years of trying and undergoing fertility treatments, finally get pregnant in their first IVF cycle. The result: a healthy baby… and five frozen embryos waiting for a decision.
But what happens when "success" leaves behind unanswered questions?
The Magnitude of the Dilemma: Shocking Numbers
According to recent data, Spain currently has over 777,000 cryopreserved embryos, representing a 310% increase in just nine years. More than 60,000 are considered “abandoned” (Sociedad Española de Fertilidad, 2023). In the U.S., estimates range between 400,000 and 1.4 million frozen embryos. In Canada, the only major study (from 2003) already reported over 15,000 frozen embryos back then.
The accumulation is massive. Clinics are running out of physical space. But the real challenge isn’t logistical — it’s emotional and ethical.
What Do Patients Actually Feel?
We often assume that frozen embryos are just a biological “reserve” with no emotional charge. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Dr. Baccino emphasizes that patients often develop strong emotional bonds with their embryos. The decision to keep them, donate them to other couples, donate them to science, destroy them, or simply postpone the decision, becomes a process that is painful, ambivalent, and often paralyzing.
There is guilt. There is attachment. There are unanswered questions. And most importantly: there is a lack of psychological support from the very first consultation.
What Are Clinics Still Missing?
According to Baccino, many key topics are still left out of the first conversations:
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How many children does the couple actually want?
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What do the embryos mean to them?
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What cultural or religious beliefs shape their views?
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Were the pros and cons of embryo freezing clearly explained?
And one more essential question:
Is there access to real, empathetic psychological counseling?
The Role of Professionals and Technology
The fate of an embryo isn’t decided in the lab. It is decided in the hearts of those who created it.
Fertility professionals play a vital role—not just as technicians, but as human guides. Their language, their presence, and the information they provide (or don’t) can completely shape how patients view their frozen embryos.
At ReproCopilot.ai, we understand this reality. That’s why our cryopreservation solutions go beyond automation, traceability, and efficiency. We are committed to something deeper: helping fertility teams provide a more human, compassionate, and informed experience.
How Can We Do Better—Together?
✅ Include emotional questions during initial consultations
✅ Adapt counseling to each patient’s beliefs and values
✅ Offer clear legal, ethical, and practical guidance
✅ Integrate tech tools that support—not replace—human care
✅ Encourage early reflection on the future of unused embryos
The fate of an embryo isn’t a technical issue—it’s a deeply human one. That’s why clinics, doctors, embryologists, psychologists, and technology must work together in harmony.
At ReproCopilot.ai, we believe in a more conscious fertility journey. Because an embryo is not just a sample—it’s a possibility. And every possibility deserves an informed, supported, and compassionate decision.
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