My husband and I have several frozen embryos in storage somewhere in suburban Rockville, Maryland. Over the past decade, this possibility to expand our family one day has held a place in our hearts. But now, we are rushing to fill out the paperwork to thaw and respectfully dispose of our embryos — before they potentially gain legal personhood status in this country.
In the summer of 2013, my husband and I decided to pursue expensive IVF treatment after suffering repeat miscarriages. I was 36 — the danger zone, according to reproductive experts at the time. I was told that after age 35, if it took a couple more than six months to successfully conceive, they should pursue reproductive assistance. For us it had been a year full of hopes and disappointments, as twice I had become pregnant and lost the pregnancies before the end of the first term.
We were thrilled when we found out that our first round of IVF had worked, and we now have a beautiful 8-year-old daughter. Over the years, the idea of giving her a sibling has crossed our mind routinely but as time went on, we realized that our “pack of three” was the best design for our family for reasons lengthier and more personal than I care to lay out here.
