Embryo Freezing: Understanding the Advanced Technique of Cryopreservation
Embryo freezing has emerged as the perfect example of advancements in the field of reproductive medicine. Many couples and individuals have been able to preserve their fertility with the help of this new-age technique. By freezing their eggs, these people get the liberty to get pregnant when the right time comes.
The embryo freezing protocol involves a series of steps under the supervision of an experienced expert. Each of these steps must be carried out in a very precise manner to ensure the best possible results.
Are you eager to know more about what this technique is, how it is performed, why it is a good choice for you, the embryo freezing timeline, and the different factors that determine the embryo freezing cost for your case? The sections below discuss this and a lot more!
What is Embryo Freezing?
Embryo freezing, also known as cryopreservation, is an excellent choice for those who wish to store their fertilized eggs so that they can be used at a later stage in life. Embryo freezing is paired with techniques such as IVF that are meant to produce embryos to support fertility in individuals.
Whether you are going for cancer treatment or want your gender transition soon, choosing the right center for embryo freezing in Delhi is essential. Before using these embryos, the doctor may suggest that you get their preimplantation genetic testing done so that you have all the necessary information.
The Top Reasons for Choosing Embryo Freezing
There are many reasons why individuals or couples turn to or are recommended to freeze their embryos. These include the following:
- If you don’t feel ready to have a child yet.
- If you want to choose a later date for implantation after IVF.
- You want to keep your embryo safe before you undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Your goal is to avoid ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
A Look at the Process of Freezing Embryos (The Embryo Freezing Timeline)
Once the reasons for choosing to freeze your embryos are clear, it is also important that you know what the process of freezing embryos is. This process includes the following steps:
Egg Retrieval
An outpatient procedure is performed to harvest the eggs from your ovary. You are under anesthesia for this procedure. A thin and hollow needle and a catheter are guided to your ovary under the direction of an ultrasound. Then, numerous eggs are harvested or retrieved from the ovary one by one. Now, these eggs can be frozen even without fertilizing them. A spindle check is done on the egg before it is sent for fertilization if your doctor believes that this is the right approach.
Sperm Retrieval
The male partner is also expected to give their semen sample on the same day that the eggs are retrieved. Sometimes, frozen sperm is also used by thawing on the same day. Semen freezing is recommended if the male partner is not going to be available on the same day or if they are psychologically not prepared to give a sample. This is also the case when a donor is involved.
A micro TESE (Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction) may also be conducted if required. This is a surgical procedure that entails the retrieval of sperm directly from the testicular tissue.
Fertilization:
An expert embryologist will then fertilize the egg with the sperm. This way, an embryo is created. The embryo is provided with simulated conditions in a culture in a petri dish, where it can grow further. The embryo is under careful observation at this point. Now, if this were IVF, a single embryo transfer or a sequential transfer would have been done at the right stage. However, since the embryo isn’t in use for now, the process of freezing will commence.
Cryopreservation or Embryo Freezing
Two different methods are available for freezing the embryos – vitrification and slow freezing. While the former has emerged as a gold standard for embryo freezing, the latter is rarely used these days because of its outdated nature.
- Vitrification: Vitrification is currently the most trusted and commonly used procedure. This involves the addition of a cryoprotective agent (CPA) to the embryos and then immediately placing them into a liquid nitrogen tank. The temperature at which this happens is - 196.1° Celsius or -321° Fahrenheit.
- Slow Freezing: Slow freezing is an outdated technique, which explains why it is no longer used. The amount of cryoprotective agent used in this process is comparatively less than that of vitrification. After the addition of CPA, they are placed in a machine that gradually decreases the temperature of the sample.
Use of the Embryo
When it is time to use the embryo, the experts will take the sample out of liquid nitrogen. Then, they will allow it to thaw naturally until it reaches the standard temperature. Furthermore, the embryo is soaked to ensure that the CPA is removed completely.
Then, depending on the plan, your doctor will do a single embryo transfer or a sequential transfer.
Sometimes, the doctors may also give a G-CSF injection to improve embryo implantation chances and for the continuation of pregnancy.
Egg Vs Embryo Freezing: What are the Differences?
The difference between egg freezing and embryo freezing is that embryo freezing involves the fertilization of the egg with the sperm. This option is available only for married women who wish to conceive later in life.
When it comes to egg freezing, single women who wish to get pregnant in the future but haven’t chosen a partner (or the father of their child) choose this option.
Depending on your case, your expert at a fertility clinic in Delhi will discuss the available options with you. The egg-freezing and embryo freezing cost in Delhi will also be variable.
Embryo Freezing Charges: The Different Factors Affecting Embryo Freezing Cost in India
The cost of embryo freezing will depend on a variety of factors, such as:
- Location: Clinics in Tier 1 cities offer these services at more expensive rates than those in Tier 2 cities. Hence, getting your embryos frozen at an IVF centre in Lucknow will cost you less than that at a fertility hospital in Bangalore.
- Clinic Reputation: A reputed clinic has state-of-the-art facilities and modern equipment, which promise a better outcome.
- Quantity: The number of eggs that need to be frozen or cryopreserved will also determine the cost of the process.
Risks Associated With the Process of Embryo Freezing
Some common risks associated with embryo freezing technique are:
- Damage during freezing
- Many embryos are not viable enough to undergo freezing
- Pregnancy-related issues, such as placenta accreta spectrum and preeclampsia
- Failed pregnancy after thawing
- Chances of multiple births if multiple embryos get implanted into the uterine lining
Bloom IVF: The Best Centre for Getting the Most Excellent Embryo Freezing Success Rate
Embryo freezing is one of the most crucial steps of fertility preservation. Hence, if you are looking for the best clinic that boasts the most commendable IVF embryo freezing success rates, you must choose Bloom IVF. We understand how physically and emotionally taxing fertility treatments can be. Hence, we have the most compassionate team of doctors on board to help you.
In addition to advanced techniques and experienced embryologists, we also promise you the most reasonable embryo freezing charges in India. At Bloom IVF, we realize that every patient’s fertility journey is different. So, we try our best to customize our treatment plans to guarantee the best result for you!