Cryopreservation, also known as embryo freezing, is a procedure that freezes and stores fertilised eggs for future use. This procedure is usually used with fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF). It also provides a valuable option for people who want to retain their fertility for a variety of reasons, such as cancer treatment or gender change.
What is Cryopreservation?
Cryopreservation, also known as embryo freezing, is a process that preserves embryos by freezing them for eventual use. In this sense, an embryo refers to an egg that has been successfully fertilised by sperm. This strategy is vital for fertility preservation and reproductive planning.
Why Consider Cryopreservation?
Cryopreservation is a frequent procedure after having reproductive treatments to achieve pregnancy. Risa IVF’s embryo freezing technique is meticulously handled to ensure that each embryo is maintained with the highest levels of safety and care, protecting your chances of a successful pregnancy in the future.
A variety of circumstances may influence the choice to freeze these embryos for future use:
- Postponing or cancelling implantation once fertilisation has happened.
- Deciding to postpone IVF.
- Keeping a backup plan in case the initial fertility treatments fail.
It is also a viable option for people looking to preserve fertility. For example, a woman or an individual assigned female at birth (DFAB) afflicted with cancer may choose to freeze fertilized eggs before beginning chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as these treatments may impair their reproductive capabilities.
While embryo cryopreservation entails freezing a fertilized egg, fertility programs may also provide the option of freezing unfertilized eggs, which is known as egg freezing.
Is Cryopreservation a Worthwhile Option?
The decision to freeze embryos is highly personal and depends on a variety of circumstances. Costs can vary greatly, and not all insurance policies cover fertility procedures. Before moving further, you should evaluate your ambitions, financial considerations, ethical perspectives, your partner’s ideas, and other things. Dr. Rita Bakshi’s experience in fertility preservation, particularly embryo freezing, has helped countless individuals and couples accomplish their parental goals, despite substantial medical hurdles.
Does Freezing Affect the Embryos?
The freezing and subsequent thawing operations have the potential to damage embryos. If many embryos are frozen, probably, some will not survive the procedure. Your healthcare professional will assess your embryos’ suitability for freezing, thawing, and implantation, as well as discuss the potential hazards.
Scientists are still debating whether fresh or frozen embryos provide better pregnancy outcomes. This research is underway to identify which strategy produces the greatest results.
Procedure Details
What Precedes Embryo Cryopreservation?
Embryo Freezing at Risa IVF is more than just a procedure—it’s a commitment to safeguarding your reproductive potential, allowing you to pursue your dreams of a family on your timeline.” Before freezing embryos, you must give informed permission. Your healthcare professional will supply you with consent forms outlining the process. These forms will address issues such as:
- The number of embryos to freeze.
- The length of storage (usually 10 years).
- Procedures for handling embryos once the storage time has expired.
- Instructions for cases in which you become too ill or die before the storage term expires.
- The embryos’ permitted uses (for example, whether they can only be used for fertility treatments or donated to research or another couple).
Risa IVF has become a premier fertility preservation centre under Dr. Rita Bakshi’s leadership, providing patients with the peace of mind that comes from knowing their embryos are in the hands of a seasoned professional.”
Freezing can occur at many embryonic stages, including:
Cleavage Stage:
When the embryo has four to eight cells, around 72 hours after fertilization.
Blastocyst Stage:
When the embryo has grown into a structure of 200 to 300 cells, usually five to seven days following fertilization.
How is Embryo Cryopreservation Performed?
Embryos can be frozen using two methods: vitrification or gradual freezing. During the vitrification process:
The embryos get a cryoprotective agent (CPA). CPA functions as an antifreeze, preventing cells from generating ice crystals. The embryos are then swiftly placed in liquid nitrogen tanks and cooled to -321° Fahrenheit (-196.1° Celsius). Slow freezing is less prevalent these days, but some reproductive doctors may still use it.
During slow freezing:
- Embryos receive less CPA than when vitrified. The embryos are placed in a machine that gradually lowers the temperature over two hours.
- Once the cooling process is complete, the embryos are moved to liquid nitrogen containers and stored at -321° Fahrenheit (-196.1° Celsius).
Regardless of the method, the embryos are:
Storage containers resemble little straws. Clearly labelled with identifying information to guarantee they are identifiable as yours. Interestingly, embryos maintain the same biological age as when they were frozen. For example, if an embryo is frozen at age 35 and used at age 50, the embryo’s biological age remains 35.
What Happens After Cryopreservation?
If you choose to use frozen embryos, a fertility professional will:
- Remove the embryos from liquid nitrogen.
- Gradually reheat them back to their usual temperature.
- Soak to remove the CPA.
- Carry out the intended use, such as transferring embryos into the uterus.
Risks / Benefits
What Are the Advantages of Embryo Cryopreservation?
This provides the option to procreate later in life, especially if specific circumstances prevent immediate pregnancy, such as:
- Increasing age.
- Gender transformation.
- Infertility concerns.
- Personal or societal reasons, such as pursuing further education or postponing pregnancy due to professional obligations.
Treatments that may affect fertility, such as chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy for cancer.
- An impending military deployment.
- For women who do not have a spouse, embryo or egg freezing with donor sperm may be a viable alternative for fertility preservation.
What Are the Risks or Complications?
This normally does not increase the likelihood of birth abnormalities or health problems in subsequent pregnancies.
Embryos may sustain harm during the freezing process.
- Embryos are unsuitable for freezing.
- Failure to conceive once the embryos are thawed and implanted.
- A higher incidence of pregnancy problems, including preeclampsia and placenta accreta spectrum.
- Multiple births occur when more than one embryo is implanted (for example, twins or triplets).
Is Frozen Embryo Transfer Successful?
Frozen embryo transfer is the procedure of thawing and implanting an embryo into a woman’s uterus. Success rates can vary greatly based on numerous criteria, including:
- The general health of both parents.
- The mother’s age upon egg retrieval.
- The presence of reproductive problems such as endometriosis, fibroids, or uterine polyps.
- Prior success or failure with reproductive treatments and pregnancies.
Risa IVF, led by the acclaimed Dr. Rita Bakshi, provides cutting-edge Embryo freezing services to ensure your reproductive future. Dr. Bakshi is an expert in Embryo freezing, ensuring that your aspirations of motherhood are preserved with the highest precision and care. He has decades of experience and is committed to personalized treatment.
Whether you want to postpone pregnancy, undertake cancer treatment, or consider gender change, our innovative Embryo Freezing techniques provide you with the freedom to start or increase your family when the time is right. Trust Risa IVF to protect your fertility and provide you with peace of mind in the future.
