Not many parents can boast about capturing moments with their unborn children before they even arrive, but Jake and Lily Thompson had an extraordinary chance and embraced it fully. The Thompsons turned to IVF to start their family, and during the process, they were handed a large cardboard box containing a metal tank with their cryopreserved embryos when they relocated to a new clinic.
Lily shared with Home Insemination Kit, “They were going to send our embryos through FedEx, but after seeing videos of packages being tossed around, I thought NOT A CHANCE!” Instead, the couple decided to transport their embryos themselves. “Our embryologist mentioned that most couples take their embryos directly, so that’s what we opted for.” Rather than just a straightforward drive, they planned a whimsical photoshoot. “While en route, we joked about taking pictures with the embryos and ended up in fits of laughter. So when we picked them up, we thought, why not?”
And thus, the adventure began!
The photoshoot was not only lighthearted but also represented the emotional bond they already felt towards their embryos, which they considered their children. “It was one of those moments where you realize… we might not get another chance like this. To us, these embryos were as real as if they had already been born,” Lily explained.
Their escapades included playful outings to a playground and even choosing a puppy together. Jake humorously “taught” his embryos how to swing a baseball bat, and they made a quick stop to introduce the embryos to their excited grandparents.
Lily recalled, “I was aware that getting pregnant would be challenging even before we tied the knot. After being diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis, we decided to forego a lavish wedding and commit to adoption, foster care, and fertility treatments.”
Rest assured, the couple had consulted with their embryologist, who confirmed that the tank was designed to keep the embryos safe for two days. They managed to reach the new clinic in about four hours, just enough time to seek out their baby’s first Christmas tree, enjoy a leisurely stroller walk, and hit other parenting milestones.
For those concerned about the unconventional photoshoot, the Thompsons welcomed triplets last August, which their embryologist had declared a mere one percent possibility. Their beautiful babies, Noah James, Mia Grace, and Ava Rose, are now thriving six-month-olds, but they will always have those unique snapshots from when they were embryos in a metal tank, going on adventures with their parents. You can follow their journey on the blog they maintain about life with their adorable trio.
As for what the new parents plan to share with their kids about these special photos in the future? Lily quipped, “I’ll definitely tell them how loved and wanted they were, and encourage them to use these for their Throwback Thursday posts someday!”
To learn more about home insemination options, check out this informative post on artificial insemination kits. For further insights into pregnancy week by week, visit the March of Dimes, which is an excellent resource.
In summary, Jake and Lily Thompson’s delightful experience with their embryos highlights the joy and creativity that can come with parenthood, while also emphasizing the deep emotional connections that can exist even before birth.
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