Embryo Freezing - Save a child for the future.

Embryo Freezing or Cryopreservation is a process in which the experts are using unused embryos for future use. In the process of embryo freezing, we keep the unused embryos under -196^o Celsius in a nitrogen tank. A Cryoprotectant is a liquid which is used in embryo freezing process to protect the embryos from ice crystal formation during freezing. Because of the Embryo Freezing Treatment couples don't need to go through the IVF treatment because this Embryo Freezing Technique provides them with another chance to become pregnant after a failed cycle. Since there is no guarantee that all embryos remain alive during the freezing and thawing process. That's why doctors advise patients to have more embryos.

In this embryo freezing process, doctors use the computerized system which is specially devised for embryo freezing or cryopreservation after putting embryos in cryoprotectant solution.

Process of Embryo Freezing

All the best IVF clinics in India use vitrification to preserve sperm, egg, and embryo that remain after treatments. A high concentration cryoprotectant is used to solidify the cell in the vitrification process. These embryos are secure for future use. Liquid nitrogen is used to solidify the embryo instantly at – 196^oC. The complete procedure is carried out in laboratories by experts, and the frozen embryo is stored safely in liquid nitrogen to prevent damage.

Freezing embryos is appropriate for:

• - Women who have made more than 3 embryos(surplus) during an IVF cycle.
• - Couples facing cancer treatment that may affect the eggs or sperm quality.
• - Frozen Embryos can be used for next pregnancy
• - It also permits the uterus environment to return to normal after the process of egg retrieval.
• - Couple can also opt for genetic screening of these embryos.
• - It's a good preventive step for OHSS in cases of PCOS. We are routinely following this for our cases of Polycystic ovaries.
• - If the uterine lining is not good, it's a good option to freeze the embryos.

Bloom IVF group is one of the first ones in starting vitrification programmes in India.
• - Freeze all : overall the success rates of frozen thaw embryo transfers are better than those of fresh embryo transfer. Many times it is better not to transfer in the same fresh cycle and transfer in the next cycle for getting better results . This is called freeze all.

Cryopreservation of embryos offers us several possibilities:

• - The storage of surplus embryos of good quality
• - Postponing embryo transfer is a special case like poor endometrium or severe OHSS.
• - The preservation of the reproductive potential of a woman prior to chemotherapy, radiotherapy or ovariectomy.
• - Frozen embryo transfer procedure.

What are the benefits of Embryo Freezing ?

• - Embryo freezing can give chances of fertility to the couple who are not ready to have children right now.
• - Embryo freezing provides a chance to the females undergoing some treatments that can hamper their fertility
• - Healthy embryo once frozen can be thawed whenever implanting is needed. The chances of achieving pregnancy are almost equal or even better than the fresh embryos.