Embryo freezing is an essential part of modern fertility treatment. It allows high-quality embryos created during a treatment cycle to be preserved for future embryo transfers. This increases the overall cumulative chance of achieving a pregnancy from a single stimulation cycle.
Thanks to frozen embryos, a new pregnancy can be pursued without undergoing another round of hormonal stimulation or egg retrieval.
With current freezing and thawing methods, over 95% of embryos remain viable for transfer. A frozen embryo transfer (FET) can be performed either during a natural menstrual cycle or in an hormone replacement cycle. On average, approximately 40% of frozen embryo transfers lead to pregnancy.
At the end of some of the treatments, one high-quality embryo is transferred into the uterus (fresh embryo transfer). Other high-quality embryos can be frozen for future use. Embryo freezing improves the cumulative success rate of the treatment, and embryos can be stored safely for several years. If pregnancy does not occur after a fresh embryo transfer, a frozen embryo transfer (FET) can often be performed shortly thereafter without the need for a new hormonal stimulation. Frozen embryos can also be used later when trying to achieve another pregnancy, for example, when planning a sibling pregnancy after a successful treatment.
Vitrification
The remaining high-quality embryos are frozen in the laboratory for future use.
Embryos are cryopreserved using vitrification, a modern and widely used freezing method that is considered safe and reliable for embryos. During vitrification, the embryo is cooled extremely rapidly, which prevents the formation of harmful ice crystals and helps preserve the embryo’s structure and viability throughout freezing and thawing.
Frozen embryo storage
Frozen embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of approximately -196 °C under strictly controlled conditions. This ensures the safe preservation of embryos for future frozen embryo transfers (FET).
Embryos can remain frozen for several years with the same viability. This allows patients to plan the timing of their next treatment at their own pace, according to their individual life situation and wishes.
Vitrification is also used for egg freezing.
Frozen embryo transfer can be scheduled either:
Current freezing methods are very effective. In our clinic, over 98% of frozen embryos survive thawing, and approximately 50% of frozen embryo transfers result in pregnancy.
The results of frozen embryos are comparable to or even better than fresh transfers, especially when embryo quality is high and the uterus is receptive.
Success depends on several factors, including:
If you are considering fertility treatment or want to know more about embryo freezing, our experts at Ovumia are happy to help.
Book an appointment for your first visit and ask more about embryo freezing, we are here to support you on your journey towards your desired pregnancy. During the first visit, a doctor from Ovumia will counsel the woman or couple, review the information provided in advance, and listen to your wishes.
Yes. Embryo freezing is a well-established and safe part of modern fertility treatment. With current freezing and thawing techniques, the majority of embryos remain viable, and the safety of the treatment is carefully monitored throughout the entire process.
Embryos can be stored frozen for several years. This makes it possible to plan the timing of embryo transfer flexibly to suit one’s personal life situation and family planning goals.
The use of frozen embryos makes it possible to attempt pregnancy without undergoing a new cycle of ovarian hormone stimulation or egg retrieval.
Yes. Pregnancy outcomes are often comparable to those achieved with fresh embryo transfers and, in some situations, may even be better—particularly when the embryo quality is good and the uterine lining has been carefully prepared for the transfer.
