Frozen Embryo Transfers

Isn’t it amazing that we can freeze life for many years and still get a baby after thawing the embryo? That is exactly what we do in the IVF laboratory with extra embryos after IVF or ICSI. These can be used at a later date, and you get a second chance at a baby. With modern freezing methods, high pregnancy rates are achieved. The embryos are stored at -196° Centigrade (196° below the freezing point of water!) in a radiation-proof lead dewar (container). This is almost the coldest natural temperature known to man.

After ovarian stimulation and egg pick-up, there are often some extra embryos left. If these are healthy-looking, they may be frozen. By freezing these embryos, you have the chance to attempt pregnancy again at a later date.

As the embryos have already been formed, no further injections or operative procedure to remove the eggs is necessary. We just have to place the embryos back in the uterus at the right time of the month when the uterus is most fertile. Note that not all unused embryos are suitable for freezing.

The picture above shows a complete IVF family! The eldest son was conceived from a fresh embryo transfer. The mother had 2 extra embryos which were frozen and stored at our IVF laboratory. When he was a year old, his mother returned and used the frozen embryos to conceive his younger brother and sister. Thus it is possible to have children conceived together during one IVF cycle, but born many years apart.

Embryos frozen in liquid nitrogen and managed properly in the laboratory can remain viable for many years. We usually advise couples to use their embryos within five years.