If you are undergoing IVF or ICSI, several good-quality embryos may be produced following an egg retrieval. As usually only one embryo is transferred into the uterus at a time, the remaining ones may be vitrified (or frozen) for use at a later date.
A frozen embryo transfer cycle occurs when one of these embryos is thawed and transferred. At Create Fertility, we are a team of caring, professional fertility specialists with years of experience in frozen embryo transfer.
In a typical IVF or ICSI cycle, the ovaries are stimulated to produce multiple eggs for insemination. As a result, many healthy embryos are often created. Those that aren’t used for that cycle may be frozen for use later on (if the first transfer does not result in a pregnancy or in creating a sibling).
A woman may be advised not to transfer any embryos immediately and to freeze all of them. This is often the case if the lining of the uterus has not suitably thickened or if the woman is at risk of developing ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS).
FET is also used for fertility preservation. Women who want to postpone pregnancy until their late 30s or early 40s may also consider freezing embryos, as there is a risk that they may no longer have suitable eggs by then.
If you have frozen embryos that you wish to transfer, you’ll need to begin by getting in touch with our team. We will review your file and fertility specialist’s instructions to ensure the correct steps are taken.
Before a frozen embryo can be transferred, the lining of the uterus (or endometrium) may be prepared to the right stage. There are two ways this can occur:
In a natural FET cycle, the endometrium is allowed to thicken naturally as a part of your normal cycle. Using ultrasound, we will monitor the developing egg follicle and the thickness of the endometrium. Once they have reached an appropriate size and thickness, we’ll trigger ovulation.
The embryo transfer will occur approximately one week after this (the exact timing will depend on your treatment plan and the stage of development at which your embryos were frozen).
Progesterone medication (either as an injection or pessaries) is often prescribed during the second half of the cycle to support the endometrium.
In an HRT cycle, the timing is controlled by your specialist. This is often used in women who don’t have a regular cycle or when precise timing is paramount.
You will be prescribed oestrogen medications during the first part of the cycle to develop the endometrium to the right stage. This will be monitored via ultrasound.
Once it has reached the appropriate thickness, you will begin taking progesterone. The embryo transfer will occur approximately one week later (the exact timing may vary depending on your treatment plan and the stage of development at which your embryos were frozen).
Although most embryos survive, there is a small risk that the embryo may be too delicate to survive the freezing and thawing process.
Risks of FET to the mother are generally low, and many factors (including whether it’s a natural or HRT cycle) may also influence outcomes. Complications from the transfer process itself are generally minimal, but may include complications from sedation, infection, or damage to the bladder or bowel.
Unfortunately, going through FET or any other fertility treatment does not guarantee you will be able to fall pregnant and have a baby. We truly wish we could guarantee this for every patient, which is why we make every possible effort to give you the best chance at success.
Under current Victorian law, we are allowed to keep your embryos frozen for up to five years from the day they were stored. This can be extended if the responsible persons consent to storage for another five years and go through a written application process. Our specialists may help you through the process of extending. Rest assured that your embryos are never discarded without your consent or without us making contact with you.
While frozen embryo transfers may be an option for those undergoing IVF or ICSI treatment, other less invasive fertility treatments may be explored first. We offer a range of treatments to provide the best chances at success.
IUI is a less invasive process of artificially placing washed sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation, hoping that the sperm will enter the fallopian tube and fertilise an egg. IUI is often used for unexplained infertility or in the case of using donor sperm.
Tracking ovulation is an important process when trying for a baby. Ovulation induction is a minimally invasive treatment that involves taking medication (in the form of tablets or a fine needle injection) to induce ovulation and help women have more regular menstrual cycles.
A concentrated blood product, PRP is used as a complementary therapy with other treatments to improve the likelihood of falling pregnant. Intrauterine PRP focuses on improving the endometrial lining to support embryo implantation and pregnancy.
This will depend on several factors; however, there is no evidence that frozen and thawed embryos result in a greater number of miscarriages or abnormalities. An embryo frozen at the blastocyst stage that is then thawed and transferred has approximately the same success rate as a fresh embryo transfer.
The laboratory thaws embryos so that their stage of development corresponds with the stage of your menstrual cycle. At Create Fertility, we usually freeze embryos at the blastocyst stage and thaw them on the morning of your transfer (it takes about 15 minutes).
The actual transfer process is the same as an ICSI or IVF cycle. We use a fine tube (called a catheter) to pass the embryo through the cervix and into the uterus. In general, the procedure only takes five to 10 minutes and is usually painless (although some people do experience mild cramping afterwards).
If you have started your fertility journey elsewhere and are looking to continue it with Create Fertility, be reassured that the process of transporting your frozen embryos to us is simple. We have an experienced team of scientists, embryologists, nurses, and admin staff to facilitate and guide you through the process.
Whether you have frozen embryos that you wish to transfer or you are interested in freezing embryos for later use, the Create Fertility team is here to help. We understand the emotional and physical challenges of fertility treatment; we are here to guide and support you through each stage of your journey with empathy and expertise.
Make an appointment with a Create Fertility fertility specialist today to discuss your options for starting a family.
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359 Blackburn Rd, Mount Waverley VIC 3149
226 Clarendon St, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Suite 3, 72 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick, VIC, 3806
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