Discover why embryo freezing is a beneficial option for many patients
Our New Braunfels fertility clinic offers embryo freezing, or cryopreservation, to patients for many reasons. Patients might utilize this option because they would like to delay their embryo transfer during an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. They may also want to preserve their embryos in case they want to continue growing their family in the future.
A key benefit of embryo freezing is that a frozen embryo transfer often produces higher implantation and pregnancy rates than a fresh embryo transfer.
Why do so many patients utilize embryo freezing?
Susan Hudson MD at our New Braunfels fertility clinic often recommends that patients freeze embryos because it can provide a variety of benefits. These benefits can increase a patient’s chance of conceiving and lower the cost of IVF.
Beneficial timing. As labs can store frozen embryos for five years or more, freezing embryos allows patients to select a transfer schedule that best suits their family planning timeline.
Receptive uterine lining. Having more time between a woman’s egg retrieval and frozen embryo transfer allows the lining of her uterus to develop better conditions for the implantation.
Reduced costs. A woman who wants to have multiple children will often save money by using her frozen embryos to conceive. This is because she won’t have to pay for an additional round of ovarian stimulation medication and an egg retrieval.
Option of preimplantation genetic testing. Freezing embryos provides enough time for an embryologist to test embryos for chromosomal abnormalities. This helps ensure that Dr. Hudson transfers a healthy embryo.
Potential for a healthier baby. Studies indicate that frozen embryo transfers have a lower chance of resulting in babies with a low birth weight.
Our clinic works closely with our patients to help them determine whether freezing their embryos is right for them.
What needs to happen before a frozen embryo transfer?
When a woman decides to utilize one of her frozen embryos, there are various steps that need to occur before the transfer. First, the woman needs to take hormonal medications for two weeks leading up to the transfer. This allows the uterine lining to develop. When the lining is thick enough, the doctor tests the woman’s hormone levels to ensure she has not ovulated. Next, an embryologist thaws the embryo and the doctor transfers it into the woman’s uterus.
The knowledgeable team at our New Braunfels fertility clinic is by the patient’s side every step of the way, from the start of the initial IVF cycle to the transfer of the embryo after embryo freezing. Contact us for more information about our fertility services.