When undergoing IVF, your gynecologist in Mulund will ask you to choose between fresh and frozen embryo transfers. As the name suggests, a fresh transfer means implanting the embryo directly from the lab into the woman’s uterus.
Frozen transfer involves freezing the embryo and preserving it for future use. Both have their share of pros and cons. So, how do you choose the best option? Let’s understand the embryo implantation IVF in Mulund and how these two options differ.
Why Frozen Embryo Transfer Is More Common
Frozen embryo transfers have become an increasingly popular choice for aspiring parents. In fact, around 80-86 percent of the IVF cases involve frozen embryos. One reason is the improved vitrification procedure.
Embryos are frozen in an environment that prevents ice crystal formation, which improves the odds of the embryos surviving the thawing process easily. With modern vitrification techniques, frozen embryos are now as healthy and viable as their fresh counterparts, making them an effective choice for IVF. This helps aspiring parents achieve a better pregnancy success rate.
Overview of Fresh Embryo Transfer
Fresh embryo transfers are when the fertilized eggs are implanted into your uterus on the third or fifth day of embryo culture. It starts with ovarian induction, where you are given hormonal shots to stimulate your ovaries to produce and release multiple eggs.
These are then retrieved and fertilized overnight with your partner’s sperm in an embryology lab. Your fertility specialist selects the healthiest embryo and transfers it to your uterus. The entire process, from ovarian stimulation to embryo transfer, occurs in a single IVF cycle.
Pros
- No waiting time
- Cost-effective, as you don’t have to spend on embryo freezing
- No freeze-thaw risks
- Immediate pregnancy
Cons
- Risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
- Not ideal for all cases
Overview of Frozen Embryo Transfer
Frozen embryo transfer (FET) is a process in which the embryos are frozen immediately after fertilization. They go through a process called vitrification. These embryos can be used for transfer whenever the couple is ready to conceive. The procedure is similar to fresh embryo transfer, except for the implantation part.
Pros
- Reduced risk of OHSS
- Flexibility
- Better success rate
Cons
- Longer waiting periods
- Expensive, as the cost of freezing and thawing is added.
Choosing the Best Option
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing between fresh and frozen embryo transfers.
Maternal Age:
Although success rates for fresh and frozen embryo transfers do not vary greatly based on age, older women often prefer FET, as this provides them enough time to prepare their endometrial lining for implantation.
Ovarian Response:
The way your ovaries respond to induction also plays a role in the success rate of fresh and frozen transfers. Women with a high ovarian response (with a large number of eggs produced and retrieved), are good candidates for FET, while those with a normal ovarian response can proceed with fresh transfers.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing:
Many couples choose PGT, a process that detects abnormalities in the embryo. This helps them pick the most viable and healthiest embryo that offers the best implantation success rate.