Intended Parents

How Much Does It Cost to Keep Embryos Frozen? [FAQ]

KEY POINTS:

The cost of keeping embryos frozen is influenced by a variety of factors.
People choose to freeze embryos for various reasons, including preserving fertility, preparing for future family planning and waiting for a gestational surrogate match.
Typically, it’s more cost effective to freeze leftover embryos than it is to go through a full IVF cycle with egg retrieval.

Every fertility journey is unique. Some people build their dream family in just a handful of months, while others take years. Because pregnancy can be unpredictable, you may need to store your embryos for a while to keep your options open.

In this article, we’ll break down the cost of keeping embryos frozen, explore the factors that impact storage fees and explain why people choose to store their embryos.

Want to take the next step in your family-building journey? Fill out our online form today to learn how you can prepare for surrogacy while keeping your embryos frozen.

How Much Does It Cost to Keep Embryos Frozen?

The cost to keep embryos frozen typically ranges from $350 to $1,500 per year. However, the exact price you pay depends on the embryo bank or cryopreservation facility you choose.

Here are five key factors that can affect the cost of keeping embryos frozen:

Some facilities charge a fee for every embryo stored. For example, if you have a large number of embryos, you might need to pay more for storage than someone with one or two embryos.

Many facilities offer discounts for long-term storage. For example, Extend Fertility gives 20% off for five-year contracts and 30% off for ten-year plans. If you know you’ll be storing your embryos for a while, locking in a longer agreement might save you money.

The cost of keeping embryos frozen can vary depending on the location. A nearby clinic with limited space might charge more for convenience. If you’re not sure when you’ll need your embryos, it’s a good idea to compare prices between local and national facilities.

Inflation affects the cost to keep embryos frozen. As prices for liquid nitrogen — the key ingredient for preserving embryos — go up, many facilities have had to increase their storage fees.

Many clinics use advanced monitoring systems to keep stored embryos safe. While these upgrades offer peace of mind, they can also lead to higher storage fees.

When you are ready, you can move toward a surrogate frozen embryo transfer. Learn more about how long each stage of the process takes.

Why Do People Keep Embryos Frozen?

Whether you’re in the middle of your fertility journey or planning for the future, freezing embryos gives you the flexibility to grow your family when the time is right.

Here are some common reasons people choose to cover the cost to keep embryos frozen:

Deciding what to do next
Some families finish their fertility journeys with extra embryos but aren’t ready to discard them. If you’ve completed your family but still have embryos in storage, you might consider options like donating them to another family or contributing them to scientific research.
Preparing for the future
If you’re currently in the IVF process, storing embryos gives you the flexibility to try for more children in the future. You may want to keep embryos on hand if you need to try again for a successful pregnancy.
Preserving fertility
Freezing embryos can be a great option for people who aren’t ready to start a family yet, are dealing with health conditions that affect fertility or want to get ahead of age-related fertility decline. It can give you peace of mind to know that you can grow your family when the time feels right.
Waiting for a gestational surrogate match
If you are pursuing gestational surrogacy, you may need to budget for the cost of keeping embryos frozen while you wait for a surrogate match. Many agencies require you to create embryos before you can begin the matching process.

How Much Does It Cost to Use a Frozen Embryo?

The cost of a frozen embryo transfer usually falls between $3,000 and $5,000. This fee typically covers essential steps like thawing the embryos, monitoring your cycle and the transfer procedure. However, additional expenses like medications may not be included, so it’s important to ask your clinic for a detailed breakdown.

If you don’t have embryos stored and need to create new ones, the costs can increase significantly. A full IVF cycle runs around $21,600 on average. For many families, freezing leftover embryos from an IVF cycle offers a more cost-effective way to try again without repeating the entire process from scratch.

What Happens When I’m Ready for an Embryo Transfer?

When you’re ready for an embryo transfer, the first step is sending your frozen embryos to your clinic. They’ll take care of thawing the embryos and getting everything ready for the procedure. They’ll also make sure your uterus is prepared to give the embryo the best chance to grow.

Do you plan to use a gestational surrogate? If your embryos are ready, you can find a match in an average of one to six months. This shorter timeline can help reduce storage costs and bring you one step closer to becoming a parent. You can view available surrogates online or contact us online to start your surrogacy journey today.