Everything You Need to Know about Frozen Embryo Transfer

Considering embryo freezing for frozen embryo transfer at a later time, there are things you must first know. This article contains everything you need to know about frozen embryo transfer before you choose to undergo the procedure.

This article discusses what frozen embryo transfer is, who should consider it, its advantages and the disadvantages as well.

What is Frozen Embryo Transfer?

Frozen embryo transfer, often abbreviated as FET, is a clinical pregnancy procedure which involves implanting a frozen embryo from an earlier IVF cycle into a woman’s uterus.

Frozen embryo transfer is commonly preferred by women who have had their embryos frozen at a young age. Known as embryo freezing, women who do not want to get pregnant at a young age but are aware of fertility decline that is common with aging, usually get their embryos frozen in their 20s to early 30s when they are most fertile. The process involves stimulating the ovaries with certain fertility drugs to produce multiple mature eggs, then those eggs are fertilised by the intended father’s sperm in a laboratory and finally preserved frozen.

The key advantage of frozen embryo transfer is that you will not need another IVF cycle for ovarian stimulation, egg collection and fertilisation. When you are ready to get pregnant, simply use the embryos you got frozen. However, if you have no such plans of getting pregnant at a later time, you should always prefer IUI or the best IVF centre in Gurgaon over FET. 

Who should consider Frozen Embryo Transfer?

Couples who are planning to have a baby at a later time can consider freezing their embryos and use them for conception through Frozen Embryo Transfer when they are ready. Other than this, women who have an inherited medical history of losing ovarian function before 40 or developing pregnancy complications like premature ovulation can also consider freezing their embryos and then going for an FET cycle. Moreover, women who are supposed to undergo any invasive medical treatment like cancer or endometriosis can also consider embryo freezing and then an FET cycle for conception.

Frozen Embryo Transfer Advantages

If you have had in mind why you should be considering frozen embryo transfer, here are some common frozen embryo transfer advantages you must know. 

Higher success rate

Compared to IVF cycles performed with fresh-collected eggs or fresh embryos, frozen embryos are found to have a higher chance of successful conception. Because frozen embryos sustain their reproductive potential even after years in their frozen form, a woman using her own or the donor’s frozen embryos in her late 30s or 40s have a very higher chance of successful conception when compared to using fresh eggs or embryos at such age.

Ideal for women with certain pregnancy complications

Women with certain pregnancy complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis have a higher chance of success conception with frozen embryo transfer. Women who get their embryos frozen at a younger age and develop such pregnancy complications at a later time can still achieve a healthy conception.

Planned pregnancy

Another common advantage of frozen embryo transfer is that you can choose when you want to get pregnant without worrying about developing fertility issues with aging. You can get your embryos frozen at a young age, usually in your 20s or early 30s and use them later when you are ready to have a child. 

Frozen Embryo Transfer Disadvantages

Just like there are some advantages of frozen embryo transfer, it has some disadvantages as well that a couple must be aware of before they determine to freeze their embryos and consider FET at a later time. These disadvantages include: 

Very costly

Frozen embryo transfer, overall, is a very costly pregnancy procedure. First you have to undergo ovarian stimulation through fertility drugs, then eggs are retrieved, then fertilised by the intended father’s sperm in a laboratory, then frozen and finally stored for future use. All this keeps adding up the cost you have to bear, and even as you preserve the frozen embryos for longer, the storage cost keeps adding up. Moreover, when you decide to consider frozen embryo transfer, you have to bear the cost of the FET cycle as well.

Low embryo survival rate

Frozen embryos may be damaged by freezing or when they are thawed for implantation during the FET cycle. This will eventually lower the survival possibility of the embryos resulting in unsuccessful conception or miscarriage. 

Need help?

Need help with frozen embryo transfer and your further pregnant treatments? Choosing the right IVF centre in Jammu is foremost. Make certain that you find the right fertility doctor with required qualification, experience, reputation and recommendations from couples who had their treatments from them.

The Bottom Line

If you feel frozen embryo transfer is a fit for you after walking through the article, you should head to undergoing the procedure. But if you are uncertain about it, seeking help from a good fertility doctor is recommended. Moreover, if you feel like you are ready to get pregnant at the moment, always prefer IVF treatment or IUI in Gurgaon over FET. It is always better not to make your pregnancy complex, discuss with your fertility doctor and choose what is right for you.