Making The Case for Frozen Embryo Transfers
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the best-known fertility treatments that has some of the highest success rates. However, not everyone understands that people have the option of using fresh or frozen embryos. Formally known as frozen embryo transfers (FET) and FET-IVF, knowing the benefits and risks can help women and couples make informed decisions. Here’s what prospective fertility patients should know about frozen embryos and the pros and cons of using fresh embryos.
Know the IVF process
To undergo IVF, a specific process must be followed, whether fresh or frozen embryos are used. With fresh embryos, eggs are retrieved from a woman and fertilized in a lab setting using sperm from either a partner or donor. Once fertilization occurs, the embryos are returned to the uterus in hopes of implantation. With a FET IVF cycle, the ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval steps are skipped.
Pro: Better implantation rates
One of the biggest benefits with FET IVF is the increased success rates when compared with fresh embryos. Experts believe the reasons can be explained by the uterus being more receptive to receiving an embryo. With regular IVF that relies on fresh embryos, the body has been exposed to a high number of hormones, which can impact the uterine lining.
Con: Added expenses
Very often, when frozen embryos are used, those specimens were previously harvested from the woman who is about to undergo transfer. As a result, the participants must pay for frozen embryos to be stored until ready to conceive again. Given that IVF can already be costly, storage expenses can cause costs to skyrocket.
Pro: Potentially healthier babies
Along with better success rates for implantation, research suggests that babies born from frozen embryos tend to be healthier than the cohort derived from fresh embryos. Specifically, research suggests that frozen embryos yield a more optimal birth weight.
Con: Embryos are fragile
The process of freezing and then thawing out embryos isn't new but can still be harsh for fragile specimens. Currently, research suggests that the success rate for the freeze-thaw process is 95%. While pretty good, the figure indicates that not all embryos survive.
FET IVF gives couples options
One big reason that FET IVF is so popular is because often during a traditional IVF cycle, multiple eggs are retrieved. Ethical fertility specialists will usually only transfer one or two embryos within a cycle to avoid complications for both mother and baby. Choosing to freeze the remaining viable embryos gives women and couples the option to expand a family at a later date. Likewise, a woman with poor egg quality may only have FET-IVF as an option to become a parent.
Are frozen embryos a good choice?
Making the choice to use frozen embryos will depend on a variety of factors including if a woman has previously undergone egg retrieval, the state of current egg quality, and the desire to continue expanding a family. Ultimately, individuals should consider speaking with a fertility specialist who can provide more in-depth information on the full benefits and risks of using frozen embryos over fresh specimens.
