Joint Embryo Destruction: Grief & Difficult Choices

Four months ago, Jana Dvížová with her little daughter waited for her husband to return from a business trip. But he did not come home, but the police – and the shocked woman announced that 32 -year -old Zdeněk died tragically.

For everything she stayed with one and a half -year -old Viktorka herself. “At one point, the whole world will collapse,” he says quietly.

Moreover, the husband’s death came when they were planning another baby. But because the couple could not have children naturally, they were preparing for artificial insemination – thanks to which the first daughter came into the world.

“We wanted two children. Before my husband’s departure, we were at a consultation in the center, where we arranged details on the transfer of a common frozen embryo. This was to happen after her husband’s return,” Jana says.

But the embryo can no longer be used, even if it is healthy according to genetic tests and waited “only” for the transfer – that is, for the actual intercourse of the artificial insemination. This cannot be done by law.

“If the legislation allowed a transfer to a woman who was left alone and would happen to her, an orphan would be created. And the state does not want. Therefore, it always requires two parents – if one happens, the other will take care of the child.

“Unfortunately, the Czech law in these very sensitive cases does not allow any exceptions,” adds Adéla Minks Šašková, director of the Unica Prague Clinic.

However, the laws may vary in individual countries. According to the head of the embryologist from the Reprogenesis Clinic Monika Volejníková, it is therefore the theoretical possibility of transporting embryos to the country that allows this transfer. “If the patient finds such an IVF center within the EU and gives us a properly completed and notarized informed consent to the attached death certificate, the embryos can be transported,” he says.

In the Czech Republic, however, embryos are always common property of both partners, whether they are spouses or not. Therefore, the consent of both people is needed for any manipulation – transfer and liquidation.

In addition, at the beginning of the process, they must sign documents that count on extreme situations – perhaps the death of one of them. If a man dies, the embryo must not be used. There are practically only two options: to use it for scientific purposes or destroy it.

“It is also important to emphasize that the embryo may not be destroyed after the death of one of the partners,” says Adéla Minks Šašková.

However, if a woman decides to keep her long -term storage, she must pay several thousand a year of storage cryobance. For someone who stays in the role of a single parent, she already has a tense budget and at the same time knows that the embryo will never be able to use, but this option is rather unrealistic.

Therefore, in such cases, liquidation is most often approached. “The only option is to prove a death certificate that replaces his (husband, ed.) Signature, and the woman signs informed consent to liquidation. If a center decided to bypass legislation, the lawsuits may arise.

Embryo cannot be donated to another infertile couple – even if it is fine according to the tests. “The owners are still both. Legislation prohibits it,” the doctor points out.

Moreover, the rules for donation are generally very strict – in pairs there is a certain age limit, specific genetic and infectious tests. If a couple wanted to donate their embryo, a very demanding process awaits it – it would have to go through a complete screening, and at its own expense. “Most couples give up and prefer to choose liquidation. Therefore, donation is not done in practice, although legislative is possible,” Frank adds.

But the situation is very demanding for Jana. In an embryo, which must now have to be destroyed, he sees a potential child with her husband who has now died. “The public that has not passed IVF often comes to this is just a cluster of cells, that it is not a child. Couples that have gone through physically and emotionally, but they see it differently,” he thinks.

“When you go through the process, you do everything possible to make it work. You will find that you have a healthy embryo, which many couples will not do even after several attempts. You create a relationship with it and you have to destroy it.”

Jana admits that without her husband another pregnancy would be mentally and financially difficult. Yet the idea that the embryo must be destroyed is still persecuted. “I fight the idea that I have to destroy the embryo and I can’t give it to another infertile couple. It is fighting in me,” he shrugs.

But the loss of husband and with her and the chance of a second child is not the only problem. Jana’s mother had two epileptic seizures and subsequently doctors revealed autoimmune diseases. It requires regular care.

Even the daughter Viktorka has no light start. Tests indicate the risk of autistic spectrum failure. In addition, housing problems are added – the family lived in the starting city apartment, to which Jana loses his claim after Zdenek’s death.

“I do not know where to live, where to look for a kindergarten. It will be difficult, as the daughter fits into the team so I can combine work with care. I do not know how employers will be willing to accept a part -time job,” Jana reflects on a lot of uncertainties.

The family budget is also tense. Therefore, a charitable collection has now been created, which is to help Jana to re -stand on his feet – money will go primarily at the cost of taking care of a girl, housing and psychotherapy.

“I’m trying to be strong for my daughter, but the interplay of all the events I have already gone through has now knocked my knees completely,” the woman admits.

“The only thing that keeps me above the water is Viktorka. She’s my engine that forces me to get out of bed in the morning. I still think about what happened. The only thing that makes sense is the child who needs me,” he concludes.