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Frozen Embryo Transfer

When you enter the program, you have the option to freeze embryos for later use if more eggs fertilise than are needed.

This unit encourages patients to use their frozen embryos before undergoing further stimulated cycles.

The freezing process involves dehydrating the embryos so as to minimise ice formation during freezing. The embryos are then cooled to minus 140 degrees and stored at that temperature in liquid nitrogen until required. Thawing embryos involves the reverse process and usually takes 1-2 hours.

Embryos can be frozen at the pronuclear stage of development (ie. 24 hours after egg pick-up) or at the four or eight cell stage (2 or 3 days after egg pick-up). Currently in our unit most embryos are now being frozen at the pronuclear stage. The chromosomes in the embryos are in a more stable configuration and therefore the embryos are less likely to be damaged during the freezing and thawing process. The unit is currently obtaining excellent pregnancy rates with the pronuclear stage freezing. Usually up to 2 embryos are cultured for embryo transfer and the remaining fertilised oocytes (eggs) are frozen at the pronuclear stage.

The treatment cycle can be done during a natural cycle or with the use of Hormone Replacement (HRT). However FSH injections are not required and usually only one Profasi (HCG) injection is given several days before embryo transfer. Hormone replacement medication involves oestrogen tablets for approximately 2 weeks and Progesterone Pessaries or gel (inserted vaginally) for several days before embryo transfer.

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