Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET)
Freeze Now, Family Later
What You Need To Know | |
|---|---|
| Length of Procedure: | 10 minutes |
| Preparation: | Come for the procedure with a full bladder. |
| Anesthesia: | Nil |
| Overnight/Day care: | Daycare (approximately 1 hour) |
| Risks/Complications of Surgery: | Nil |
| Recovery: | Immediate but you will be asked to rest 45 min-1 hour before being discharged. |
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. This procedure is known as a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) whereby the frozen embryo will be placed back in the uterus at the right time of the month.
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. Note that not all unused embryos are suitable for freezing.
Embryos frozen in liquid nitrogen and managed properly in the laboratory can remain viable for many years. Usually, our Fertility Specialist would advise couples to use their embryos within five years.
FAQs
Both fresh and frozen embryo transfers offer good success rates, but frozen embryo transfer is often associated with slightly higher implantation success.
This is because the uterus can be better prepared in a more stable hormonal environment, which may improve the chances of successful implantation.
However, the most suitable approach depends on your individual condition, embryo quality, and treatment plan. Your fertility specialist will advise whether fresh or frozen embryo transfer is more appropriate for you.
Embryos are frozen using a process called vitrification, a rapid freezing technique that prevents ice crystal formation – which could damage the cells.
During vitrification, embryos are placed in a special cryoprotectant solution and then quickly cooled to very low temperatures, allowing them to be safely stored for future use without affecting their quality.
Embryos can be safely frozen and stored for many years. With modern freezing techniques, there is no fixed limit to storage duration, and successful pregnancies have been achieved even after long-term storage.
At KL Fertility Centre, the standard maximum storage period for frozen embryos is up to 5 years. This can be extended following a consultation with your fertility specialist based on your specific needs.
Yes, transferring two embryos increases the chance of a twin pregnancy. However, it also carries a higher risk of multiple pregnancy-related complications.
Therefore, this option should be carefully discussed with your fertility specialist to determine what is safest for you.
With modern vitrification techniques, freezing generally does not affect embryo quality. Most embryos survive thawing and remain viable for transfer.
To prepare for an FET cycle:
- Follow your fertility specialist’s hormone and medication plan carefully to optimise your uterine lining
- Maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated
- Get enough rest
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, and excessive caffeine
- Attend all scheduled monitoring appointments
- Communicate with your fertility team if you have any concerns during the cycle
Your fertility specialist will guide you based on your individual treatment plan.
Not all embryos survive thawing. Survival depends on factors such as the embryo’s quality before freezing, the freezing method used, and careful handling during storage and thawing.
Your fertility specialist will explain the expected outcome based on your embryo quality and treatment plan.
A typical FET cycle may involve the following steps:
Your fertility specialist will guide you through each step and adjust the plan based on your individual response.
A pregnancy test is usually done about 10-14 days after embryo transfer. Your fertility specialist will schedule the test and guide you on the safest time to check for pregnancy.