Modern medicine offer a technique known as Embryo Freezing, which is a fertility treatment method that aims at fertilization and culture of embryo and later on storing them for usage in the future. It is a procedure that involves the extraction of eggs from the ovaries after which the eggs are then fertilized and then cultured for three to five days before they are subjected to freezing. The above approach is especially helpful when freezing embryos, which remains an important process in the IVF cycle.
Freezing embryos is a method that can help preserve future fertility. People who choose embryo freezing are those who are undergoing hormone therapy, cancer treatment, or another medical procedure that affects their fertility. It is, therefore very important to understand whether it is better to freeze eggs or embryos depending on individual needs as well as advice from a physician.
There are two techniques for freezing embryos: vitrification and slow freezing.
Prior to vitrification, fertility specialists use a CPA on the embryo, as discussed in the following step of the process. This substance shields cells from ice crystal formation. The embryos are placed immediately in liquid nitrogen containers at -321° Fahrenheit (196.1° Celsius). This rapid cooling is part of the embryo freezing process.
In slow freezing, tubes enclose the embryos and their temperature drops. This technique has a protective effect on the embryo's cells, preventing them from aging. Yet slow freezing is time-consuming and needs costly equipment. People use this method less often because of the egg-freezing cost and its complex nature.
Frozen embryos are not affected in terms of reproductive function when in their vitrified state and for this reason they yield higher success rates. This is more effective as compared to the preservation of eggs.
Most women who opt for freezing their eggs prefer to postpone having a child until their 30s or early 40s. After age 30, women's egg quality and quantity begin to diminish. Women who desire to postpone parenthood for personal reasons can consider freezing higher-quality eggs in their 20s.
It is advantageous to have several frozen embryos ready for usage over an extended period of time. If the transfer of one frozen embryo does not result in a pregnancy, any remaining embryos can be transplanted to boost the chances of a pregnancy.
Donating embryos to be used in scientific research and training, discarding them, or giving them to other families hoping to conceive are the options available to families that don't want to utilize the embryos.
An uncommon side effect of IVF treatment is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Cryopreservation of embryos is one method of preventing OHSS.
Couples can overcome inherited barriers or genetic problems with this treatment. Additionally, pre-implantation genetic testing allows them to enjoy parenthood.
The potential of multiple births is eliminated with an appropriate pregnancy rate after an elective transfer of one embryo.
Embryo freezing promotes couples to cultivate positive relationships by providing hope and unity to those battling infertility issues. Consequently, as their relationship becomes closer, they share the desire to become parents. .
The procedure of embryo freezing offers a chance of motherhood to same-sex couples, transgender individuals, and others. By using donor embryos, they are able to have children.
Damage to embryos, inability to conceive after thawing and implanting embryos, higher incidence of pregnancy-related illnesses such as placenta accrete spectrum and preeclampsia, embryos unsuitable for freezing, and more than one implanted embryo will result in multiple births are few risks associated with embryo freezing.
Nonetheless, the majority of fertility centers advise up to ten years of storage. As a result, couples may keep storing and using them for reproductive therapy beyond the time. They could also think about discarding them or donating them for study.
Despite life's uncertainties, embryo freezing offers hope, empowerment, and the opportunity to start a family—a significant advancement in reproductive medicine. The possibility of saving embryos for later use has created a plethora of opportunities, enabling single parents and couples to realize their aspirations of becoming parents. For those interested, it's helpful to research both egg freezing and embryo freezing to determine the best option for their needs.
According to several fertility experts, FETs are more likely than fresh embryo transfers (ETs) to result in pregnancy.
The procedures with the best probability of success are those utilizing eggs taken from individuals 35 years of age or younger. A maximum of frozen embryos make it through the thawing phase.
The egg-freezing cost can vary significantly depending on the fertility clinic and the specifics of the treatment plan. It could be between 1 and 1.75 lakh rupees.
After eggs are harvested, they go through vitrification, a method of quickly putting eggs into a deep freeze. Oocyte cryopreservation, another name for egg freezing, is the act of taking eggs from the ovaries and storing them for later use. The process involves ovarian stimulation, egg tracking, egg retrieval, egg freezing, and egg storage. Understanding how to freeze your eggs is crucial for those considering fertility preservation.
