Frozen Embryo Transfer

Frozen Embryo Transfer​

A frozen embryo transfer commonly referred to as FET, is a process in which the frozen embryos created from a previous fresh IVF or donor egg cycle are thawed and then transferred back into the woman’s uterus.

Frozen Embryo Transfer V/S Fresh Embryo Transfer:

A fresh embryo transfer occurs in the same cycle as the IVF cycle. The eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the lab. The embryos are allowed to develop and are then transferred back into the woman’s uterus around 3-5 days after the retrieval and culture.

A frozen embryo transfer is a little bit different. In this type of cycle, a woman undergoes IVF, her eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the lab, and the resulting embryos are allowed to develop. The embryos are then frozen instead of being transferred back into her uterus. The embryos are transferred in a subsequent menstrual cycle.

When is FET recommended?

  • To avoid the occurrence of OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome), a freeze-all approach is followed, where all the embryos are frozen and a FET is done later.
  • Sometimes, surplus embryos are formed in an IVF cycle. These can be frozen after a fresh embryo transfer is done for future use if and when required. This increases the chances of achieving a pregnancy from single egg retrieval.
  • Some conditions like Endometriosis and Adenomyosis also demand a freeze-all and FET strategy for better results.

What are the advantages of a FET?

FET increases the chances of successful pregnancy because of several contributing factors like:

  •  The flexibility of preparing the uterus and transferring the embryos when the intrauterine environment is more receptive to implantation.
  • Patients are typically more emotionally stable and less anxious, which has a positive impact on a successful IVF outcome.
  • Preimplantation genetic testing can be performed on the embryos before they are frozen to screen for common chromosomal/genetic diseases. The frozen embryo transfer would then occur once these results come.

Am I a Candidate for FET?

Many women are candidates for and would benefit from this type of transfer. We encourage you to contact us and book an appointment with our fertility expert to learn more about this procedure and whether it is the right option for you.

Our clean-room laboratory facilities and cryopreservation techniques ensure that frozen-thawed embryo transfers can be carried out safely and effectively.

Our embryologist is well trained in a vitrification/freezing technique with which we consistently achieve high post-thaw survival rates for embryos and blastocysts to optimise your clinical outcomes.