The ability to freeze embryos, also known as embryo cryopreservation, has revolutionized the field of reproductive medicine. By freezing embryos, wives can safeguard their fertility against age-related decline, medical treatments that may harm fertility, or personal choices to delay childbearing.
Freezing fertilized embryos techniques
The ovules of the wife and the sperm of the husband are collected to be combined in vitro (in specialised laboratories) to form embryos.
These embryos can be frozen to using two methods: slow freezing and vitrification.
Slow Freezing:
Slow freezing involves gradually cooling embryos to extremely low temperatures, typically around -196°C (-321°F), using a controlled cooling device.
This process allows for the formation of ice crystals within the embryos, which can potentially damage cellular structures. To mitigate this risk, cryoprotectants, substances that protect cells during freezing, are added to the embryo solution.
Read more about : Embryo transfer
Vitrification
Vitrification is a more rapid freezing technique. It involves ultra-rapid cooling of the embryos to temperatures around -196°C (-321°F) using specialized equipment.
Benefits of freezing fertilized embryos
freezing fertilized embryos offers numerous advantages for individuals and couples seeking to preserve their fertility:
Preserving Fertility Against Age-Related Decline
Female fertility naturally declines with age, making it more challenging to conceive as women enter their late 30s and 40s.
Freezing embryos at a younger age allows wives to utilize their healthier, more viable eggs for future pregnancy attempts.
Protecting Fertility During Medical Treatments
Certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, can damage reproductive organs and impair fertility.
Freezing embryos beforehand provides a safety net, allowing individuals to pursue pregnancy after completing their medical treatment.
Deferring Parenthood
Embryo freezing empowers individuals and couples to delay childbearing for personal or professional reasons without compromising their chances of future pregnancy.
This flexibility offers peace of mind and allows individuals to pursue their goals while safeguarding their reproductive potential.
Embryo freezing success rate
A ScienceDirect study on embryo cryopreservation indicates a high post-thaw survival rate, often surpassing 70% for frozen embryos. Furthermore, sophisticated uterine preparation protocols have elevated successful frozen embryo transfer and implantation rates to exceed 75%.
However, there are some key factors influencing embryo freezing success rates, including the wife’s age, the quality of conditions and the freezing procedures performed, and embryo quality.
Are babies born from frozen embryos healthy?
There is no conclusive evidence to suggest that babies born from the freezing embryo process are at a higher risk of birth defects, developmental delays, or any other health issues, In the absence of any inherited genetic disorders in the parents.
N.B: PGD test may be recommended when necessary to select healthy embryos before implantation, so don’t worry.
Why choose us?
At Rahm Fertility Center, we are committed to providing our patients with the most advanced and compassionate care.
Our state-of-the-art cryopreservation technology and advanced incubators ensure that your embryos are frozen and stored according to the ideal standards. This maximizes the chances of successful embryo transfer and a healthy pregnancy.
Our team of experienced specialists is dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process, ensuring that you feel informed, supported, and empowered to make the best decisions for your reproductive future.