Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation can be used on Eggs, Sperm & Embryos

When more eggs are retrieved than needed, we can freeze them for future use by performing a procedure called cryopreservation. Embryos can be frozen at any stage between day one and day six after egg retrieval, and can be stored for years. We cryopreserve on day five or six (blastocyst). Dr Kaufmann and Dr. Patel have published articles on their experience with blastocyst freezing. We offer frozen embryo transfer to allow you the chance of conception when the time is right for you.

The frozen embryo transfer process is less invasive than standard egg retrieval. The embryo transfer is performed during a medically controlled cycle.

Before the frozen embryo transfer can be performed, your embryos will need to be thawed so the age of the embryos corresponds to the age of your uterine lining. The timing of frozen embryo transfer usually depends on the stage at which the embryos were frozen.

Not all embryos survive the cryopreservation process. Before the frozen embryo transfer, we will evaluate your embryos to make sure they are ready for transfer. If they are, then the frozen embryo transfer can go forward.

During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through the cervix and the embryos are placed into the uterus. The frozen embryo transfer takes approximately 15 minutes.

The success rate of frozen embryo transfer is almost as successful as standard IVF. Success depends on several factors, including the number and quality of embryos, your age, and the cause of infertility. An IVF cycle can give you a very high cumulative pregnancy rate if a fresh and frozen cycle are combined. The cost is much less than a fresh embryo transfer.

The aim of cryopreservation is to preserve fertilized dividing embryos or unfertilized eggs (oocytes) for use in the future.

For those whose initial attempt was not successful or resulted in a pregnancy loss, they can immediately proceed with a frozen embryo transfer. There are those who conceive with a fresh cycle and return years later to attempt another pregnancy with their frozen embryos. Others who have not been successful in their fresh IVF cycle can try to conceive through a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. This allows for a second or third attempt at conception without exposure to fertility drugs and the high cost of a fresh IVF cycle . We will soon be able to freeze a patient’s eggs for future use when someone is diagnosed with cancer, as treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation, may affect future fertility

Not all embryos or eggs are eligible for cryopreservation. Embryos that are not candidates for cryopreservation include those that divide slowly or are otherwise determined to be irregular. Egg freezing may not be possible if the quality of the eggs provides us with any indication that they may not survive the freeze/thaw and the subsequent fertilization process.

Before you come in for your cryopreservation appointment, please complete the following forms, which must be signed by both the patient and partner. If you have any questions, please contact us.

 

Sperm Storage consent form

 

Cryopreservation consent form

Did You Know?

Fort Worth Fertility has the only free standing IVF lab in Fort Worth.