Embryo freezing refers to the process of freezing one or more embryos to save them for future use.
Couples who do not want to conceive in the present can use this technique to conceive in the future by using frozen embryos. If they later decide not to use the embryos, they may elect to donate them to other couples.
Embryo freezing is a part of IVF treatment. It allows couples to conceive more than once from a single IVF procedure.
During the IVF procedure, fertility drugs are recommended by doctors to stimulate the production of eggs, which usually results in more eggs than required.
The process of embryo freezing is very simple.
- The unused embryos are frozen and stored in a tank of liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees Celsius.
- During the freezing process, a liquid called a cryoprotectant is added to protect the embryos.
- It is not necessary that all embryos will survive the thawing process. Therefore, for the next cycle, your doctor will advise you to have more embryos thawed than need to be transferred.