If your IVF cycle produces many good-quality embryos, you are likely to have embryos to freeze for future treatment. This gives you the option to have a fresh embryo transfer and later, if needed, proceed with an FET or frozen embryo transfer.
Some wonder why not make every IVF embryo transfer a fresh one. During an IVF cycle, the goal is to create as many high-quality embryos as possible to improve the chance of pregnancy. Not every embryo will develop successfully, so having extras to freeze for future use is a big advantage that reduces the need for multiple full IVF cycles. This gives you flexibility to grow your family while saving time and costs. Many patients also value the peace of mind of having embryos for future treatment.
Thanks to advances in IVF, success rates for fresh vs frozen embryo transfer are now comparable. So, what’s the difference between the two? Let’s look at the facts.
What is a Fresh Embryo Transfer?
A In a fresh embryo transfer, an embryo from the same IVF cycle is transferred without freezing. Your fertility specialist will select the best embryo for transfer, approximately five days after egg retrieval. The procedure is straightforward, usually performed in the clinic by your specialist with or without ultrasound guidance, requires no anaesthetic, and most patients can return to normal activities the same day.
What is a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)?
Following a fresh embryo transfer, any remaining embryos can be preserved through a rapid freezing process called vitrification and stored for future use in a frozen embryo transfer (FET). Thawing is a simple process that takes around 15 minutes, where the blastocyst is removed from liquid nitrogen and carefully rehydrated.
Preparation for a FET cycle is generally easier than a fresh cycle, as it does not involve ovarian stimulation or egg collection. Instead, the focus is on timing the transfer at the correct stage of your natural or medicated cycle. Your fertility specialist will monitor the uterine lining at the beginning and again before transfer to ensure it is optimal for implantation.
On transfer day, the IVF embryo transfer procedure is the same as in a fresh cycle, requiring no sedation or anaesthetic, and you can usually resume normal activities straight away. There is no time limit on using frozen embryos, as they remain as strong as the day they were frozen. Importantly, a frozen embryo transfer is also more cost-effective than a full IVF cycle, as only a portion of the treatment process is repeated.
Success Rates and Outcomes
Several factors affect the success of an embryo transfer, including Patient’s egg source age, embryo quality, and the health of the endometrial lining. At City Fertility, outcomes for both fresh and frozen transfers are comparable, thanks to laboratory methods and vitrification techniques. For more details, you can view our IVF success rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Which among fresh and frozen embryo transfer is better?
Neither is inherently better. Both approaches can achieve successful pregnancies. The choice depends on factors such as your age, uterine readiness, and medical history. Your fertility specialist will recommend the best option for your unique situation.
Are there any disadvantages of frozen embryo transfer?
A frozen embryo transfer may involve additional costs for freezing, storage, and thawing. There is also a small risk that some embryos may not survive the thawing process. However, vitrification has made survival rates very high.
Do fresh transfers require longer implantation times?
Implantation time is not necessarily longer in fresh transfers. Instead, the success depends on synchronisation between the embryo’s development stage and the endometrial lining’s receptivity. When this alignment is optimal, implantation can occur in either fresh or frozen transfers.
Are there any chances that frozen embryos grow slower than the fresh ones?
Implantation time is not necessarily longer in fresh transfers. Instead, the success depends on synchronisation between the embryo’s development stage and the endometrial lining’s receptivity. When this alignment is optimal, implantation can occur in either fresh or frozen transfers.
