Frozen Embryo Transfer

Frozen Embryo Transfer 2018-01-26T20:10:03+00:00

Frozen Embryo Transfer

Frozen embryo transfer is becoming increasingly popular in Australia. In the past, the success rates for this procedure were lower than fresh embryo transfers, but due to scientific advancements, that is no longer the case. Now, success rates are the same or higher than they are for fresh embryo transfers. In fact, it’s believed that frozen embryo transfers mimic natural conception, creating an experience that is easier on the mother’s body.

Doctors give women hormones to stimulate egg production before the retrieval. When women undergo a fresh embryo transfer, the hormones are still in their bodies. However, when women freeze their eggs and wait for the transfer, their hormone levels return to normal. That is why this procedure mimics natural conception. The hormone levels are as they normally are, which reduces the risk of pre-term labour and miscarriages. It also increases the chance of having a healthy baby.

Frozen embryo transfers also reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. This is a potentially fatal side effect of fresh embryo transfer. While rare, it still has to be considered before undergoing an embryo transfer.

The process begins by freezing the embryos. It is best to freeze embryos at the age of 41 or younger when eggs are still healthy and fresh. Frozen eggs don’t age, so they can be retrieved at any time.

When you decide it’s time to use your embryos, your doctor will conduct an ultrasound to check for structural issues. Then, your doctor will give you estrogen and progesterone to get your uterine lining ready for implantation. While you still have to take hormones during the procedure, you’ll take far fewer than you would have to otherwise, and they’ll have less of an impact on your body. You will not take ovulation medications, so it is much easier on your body, and it also requires fewer office visits than a fresh embryo transfer does.

Your doctor will spend a couple of weeks preparing your uterine lining, and then it will finally be time for implantation. He or she will thaw your embryos and then implant them.

Because the embryos are frozen, women can conceive at a much older age than they could naturally or with fresh embryos. This is because eggs don’t age and deteriorate when they’re frozen. If you freeze your eggs at 30, they will retain the same integrity even if they’re implanted when you are 45. This gives women flexibly to conceive at a much older age. That is why many women choose to freeze their eggs when they are younger. It allows them to keep their options open.

Whether you are ready to freeze your eggs or your eggs are already frozen and you want to go through with the transfer, we are here for you. Let’s begin with a free consultation. This will help us understand where you are in the process and what you need from us. Then, we can begin this exciting journey together.