Motherhood IVF Center & Fertility Treatment Clinic

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) Procedure

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What is Frozen Embryo Transfer?

A type of IVF treatment, the process of Frozen Embryo Transfer requires a cryopreserved embryo created in a full IVF cycle to be defrosted and transferred to a uterus. Typically, FET or Frozen Embryo Transfer requires embryos frozen from a previous IVF cycle to be used in a new cycle. The procedure is carried out in an unstimulated cycle/natural stimulation and requires diligent preparation and monitoring of the endometrium (uterus lining), set for the transfer of frozen embryos. With FET, you don’t need to go through an entire IVF cycle with injectable(stimulation ) again as you already have embryos.

Freezing the Embryo: All you need to know

The process of freezing the embryo involves removing the eggs from the ovaries and fertilising them, before allowing them to grow for a few days and then freezing them. Also referred to as embryo cryopreservation, the process of freezing and storing the embryos is an integral part of most IVF programmes. The procedure offers patients an additional chance for pregnancy, and allows them to save embryos in the face of medical complications.

When did people first start freezing embryos?

Ever since the first successful pregnancy resulting from freezing an embryo took place in the 1980s, many people started freezing embryos. Besides hoping to get pregnant in the future, many decide to preserve their embryos for donation, medical research or training purposes.

Why choose Frozen Embryo Transfer?

Typically, people with certain health conditions or circumstances consider FET or Frozen Embryo Transfer to help them get pregnant. Besides that, people also choose Frozen Embryo Transfer when:

They have extra embryos

An IVF can typically result in several embryos. However, it is considered safe to transfer only one or two at a time as transferring multiple embryos is known to increase the risk of multiple pregnancy. In order to minimise this risk, doctors usually advise an elective single embryo transfer, and the remaining embryos to be cryopreserved. And if the transferred embryo doesn’t result in a successful pregnancy, you would have the option of transferring one of your previously frozen embryos, or use it at a later time to create a sibling.

They’re at a high risk of developing OHSS

There are times when a woman having IVF treatment is advised to freeze all her embryos. Typically, doctors recommend not to transfer the embryos immediately when the lining of the uterus or endometrium has not developed suitably or the patient is at a high risk of developing Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome or OHSS.

They have a better chance at pregnancy during a later cycle

It is also common for fertility specialists to recommend freezing the embryos due to a more natural environment in the uterus during a later cycle, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.

They want to postpone pregnancy for later in life

For women who wish to postpone pregnancy until their late 30s or early 40s, freezing the embryo serves as a perfect option, as they may not have suitable eggs of their own by then.

FET at Motherhood IVF

Now, you might either have your frozen embryos stored at Motherhood IVF or you’re getting them transferred to us from another fertility centre. In any case, our team of expert embryologists will cautiously defrost the embryos before gauging their suitability. If found suitable, the embryo is then transferred into the uterus as in a normal IVF cycle. We perform FET at select facilities across India like Bengaluru (Banashankari, Sarjapur and HRBR Layout), Coimbatore, Chandigarh and Indore.

The Frozen Embryo Transfer Timeline: A Stepwise Explanation of The Procedure

Preliminary Consultation

The first step usually requires a preliminary scan and consultation with one of our fertility experts. Based on detailed assessment, our doctors will devise a personalised treatment plan for you in order to maximise your chances of a successful pregnancy.

Treatment Discussion

The second step involves a detailed discussion about the procedure. About two weeks before the start of your period, you will be called in to meet our fertility expert to walk you through your treatment plan and other technical formalities.

Scans & Tests

This step requires you to take 2 or 3 monitoring scans that are usually placed days apart. During these appointments, the doctor may also suggest blood tests.

Embryo Transfer

Much like a smear test, the process of embryo transfer is quick and easy, and does not require sedation

Pregnancy Test

For the final step of the procedure, we’ll invite you back for a quick pregnancy blood test and give you the test results on the same day.

Does Freezing mean that embryo quality will go bad & result will be less?

It has been observed that results of frozen embryo transfer are quite good and off springs are usually normal.Vitrification of embryo is been used since last more than 15 years and occasionally babies tend to be large.

What is difference between Freezing & Thawing?

Freezing means your embryos are mixed with special medium and rapidly frozen to glassy state which is known as vitrification. Once vitrified embryos are stored in special container which contain liquid nitrogen Embryos can left like this for years together whenever patient wishes to conceive ,the lining of her womb is prepared with special medication or may be sometimes is natural cycle and then embryos are transferred in the womb. Some progesterone support are given afterwards. This process of taking out embryo from liquid nitrogen adding some medium and resuming it to normal is known as Thawing.

A Peek Into Delayed Frozen Embryo Transfer

Also referred to as freeze all IVF cycle, Delayed Frozen Embryo Transfer usually involves freezing all embryos created in an IVF cycle for potential future use.

Some of the most common benefits of Delayed Frozen Embryo Transfer includes:
  • Reducing the pregnancy risks of fresh embryo transfer cycles.
  • Allowing the uterus environment to return to normal after the retrieval of eggs.
  • Facilitating genetic screening.

Frozen Embryo Transfer Cost

While the frozen cycle price can vary between clinics, Frozen Embryo Transfer cost can vary as per your personal circumstances and treatment plan. Look out for your nearest Motherhood IVF centre to find out more.

FAQs

Frozen embryos ensure their practicality well over ten years after the initial freeze. You may opt for the FET cycle following an unsuccessful fresh IVF cycle, as your initial transfer after freezing all of your embryos or returning to expand your family after a successful new IVF cycle.
You may experience some discomfort during the FET procedure, but it wouldn’t bother you much. Following your doctor’s instructions, you can take the medications to counter any pain you have after the procedure is over.
Yes you can resume your daily activity after embro transfer. But avoid strenuous activity like lifting heavy objetcs or performing vigorous excercise.

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