Frozen Embryo Transfers

Patients who have extra embryos available after an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure must decide what to do with them. If you choose to freeze, or cryopreserve the embryos, they can be transferred into your uterus in a future cycle. Embryos may be frozen at the 1 day, 2 day, 3 day, or 5-6 day (blastocyst) stage after fertilization. For more information about frozen embryo storage, see our Frozen Stored Embryos FAQ page.

The following information for patients undergoing an embryo transfer with frozen embryos:

Frozen embryo transfers are possible for infertile patients with extra embryos from a previous IVF cycle.

If an IVF patient does not get pregnant with the first cycle, or if she gets pregnant and wants to have another child years later, the extra frozen embryos can be thawed and placed back into her uterus. In the frozen embryo transfer cycle, she does not need to use follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This cycle is much less complicated physically and financially. The cost of a frozen embryo transfer cycle is a fraction of the cost of a regular IVF cycle (approximately 20% cost of a fresh IVF cycle).

Some embryos may not survive the thaw process. Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.) may result from a frozen embryo transfer.

Preparation.  Meet with your physician before the transfer to discuss:

1. Whether you should have additional testing before the frozen embryo transfer.

2. How many embryos should be transferred. In most cases, this will be three to four thawed embryos. Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.) can result from frozen embryo transfers. 

Thawing. We'll thaw the frozen embryos the morning of the transfer. 

About 70 percent of good quality embryos survive the thaw. An embryo is said to survive if at least half of its cells are alive. For example, if a eight-cell embryo is thawed, and four cells are alive, that embryo has survived the thaw. Even if only one cell of a eight-cell embryo is alive, the embryo may result in a normal pregnancy. Some embryos that are of poor quality after the thaw may not be transferred and would not be refrozen.

Embryos thaw fairly rapidly. If the desired number of embryos does not survive, we can thaw additional embryos in time for the scheduled embryo transfer. 

Transfer. The procedure is similar to an IVF procedure with fresh embryos.

Follow Up. After the embryo transfer, you will rest for a few minutes in a recovery room. Someone should drive you home, where you should rest for the first day after the transfer. Return to the office for a blood pregnancy test 11 days after the transfer.