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Embryo Freezing and Transfer

Embryo Freezing Overview

Embryo Freezing (Cryopreservation) refers to the freezing of tissues/gametes to allow for later use. At IVF Saint Germain, we provide cryopreservation of eggs, embryos and sperm. The science of cryopreservation has improved dramatically in the last several years, and the survival rates of frozen tissue have likewise improved significantly. This has benefited our patients greatly.

Embryo cryopreservation is performed primarily when there are surplus good quality embryos following a fresh embryo transfer (i.e. we have already transferred to best quality embryo(s) and there are good quality embryos remaining). Embryos must obtain a certain stage within the laboratory to be eligible for cryopreservation because we only freeze embryos that we think will survive the freeze/thaw process and provide you with a reasonable chance of pregnancy. Therefore, the majority of patients will not have surplus embryos for cryopreservation, so do not despair if embryos are not cryopreserved during your cycle. Embryo cryopreservation is also performed when medically indicated, such as in cases of ovarian hyperstimulation or in cases of poor uterine lining develop (although these situations are not common).

For those patients that return to use their frozen embryos, we schedule them for a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. During this period, we administer oral and/or vaginal medications to facilitate the development of the uterine lining. However, you do not need to be on stimulation medications during this time period nor is the monitoring as frequent as a fresh IVF cycle. Due to the improvements in freezing technology, our overall pregnancy rate was nearly 80% for FET cycles.

Single Embryo Transfer

  • One of the biggest concerns for those who are thinking about IVF is the multiple pregnancy rate. While many IVF programs are striving to reduce triplet pregnancy rates, even twin pregnancies increase maternal and fetal risk. While over 90% percent of twin pregnancies that progress to term do well (term is considered to be 37 weeks), nearly 60% of twins deliver before 37 weeks and 11 percent deliver before 32 weeks. The risks to the baby of premature delivery include respiratory distress, gastrointestinal infections, and even intracranial bleeding requiring extended admission to a neonatal intensive care unit. There are increased risks of developmental delay even in deliveries that occur between 32-36 weeks of gestation.
  • Twin pregnancies also carry increased maternal risks, including a twofold increase in pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, and hospital admission prior to delivery. The complication risk at the time of delivery is also increased, as evidenced by the two to threefold increased risk of Cesarean section and increased likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. Since multiple gestations so commonly result in complications for the mothers and babies, patients often consult with high-risk OB doctors called maternal fetal medicine physicians. Despite vigilance on the part of the obstetrician and the IVF Saint Germain doctors, there are some risks inherent to the twin pregnancy itself that cannot always be avoided.
  • With recent advances in embryo culture and improved medical therapy in the practice of IVF, high pregnancy rates can be achieved with elective single embryo transfer (eSET). IVF Saint Germain is one of the leading practices in the country to offer state-of-the-art single embryo transfer. We are able to identify healthy, chromosomally normal embryos with greater than 98% accuracy. By selecting a single optimal embryo to achieve higher implantation rates, we are able to improve pregnancy rates while minimizing pregnancy losses and increasing the likelihood of a safe full-term delivery. Also, by applying the latest freezing technology (known as vitrification) we are able to cryopreserve healthy embryos for future pregnancies in many cases. IVF Saint Germain is committed to offering this technology in an effort to not only improve pregnancy rates but also improve outcomes for mother and baby.