Intended Parents

Embryo Banking: What Is It, and What Does It Cost?


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If you’re planning your family-building journey, embryo banking might be on your radar.

Embryo banks help individuals and couples store healthy embryos for future use. Whether you’re preparing for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or considering surrogacy, embryo banking ensures you have options when the time is right.

In this article, we’ll explain what embryo banking is, how much embryo banking costs, how many embryos you might want to bank and what the survival rates are. If you’re interested in learning more about fertility preservation, check out our resource on embryo storage costs.

What Is Embryo Banking?

Embryo banking is the process of creating embryos through IVF and freezing them for later use. This allows you to prepare for your future fertility needs, whether you plan to carry the pregnancy yourself or use a surrogate.

During an IVF cycle, eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a lab. The resulting embryos are carefully monitored until they reach a certain stage of development. At that point, the embryos are frozen through a process called vitrification and stored in embryo banks.

If you are considering banking embryos for surrogacy, you can learn more about the freezing process.

How Much Does Embryo Banking Cost?

The cost of embryo banking includes two main components: the cost to create the embryos through IVF and the cost to store the embryos. These expenses can vary significantly depending on the clinic you choose, the services you need and how long you plan to store your embryos.

Cost of Creating Embryos

Creating embryos through IVF involves multiple steps, and the price can range between $12,000 and $17,000 per cycle. This estimate typically includes egg retrieval, fertilization and a transfer procedure. However, other essential parts of the IVF process can add to the overall cost:

  • Medications

    Expect to pay between $3,000 and $6,000 for the medications used to stimulate your ovaries and prepare for embryo transfer.

  • Genetic testing

    If you choose to test the embryos for genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities, it can cost around $1,500 plus $150 per embryo.

  • Donor semen

    Donor sperm usually costs between $400 and $2,000, with higher motility and ID-release options being more expensive.

    Cost of Storing Embryos

    Once your embryos are created, you’ll need to store them in a secure facility. Some fertility clinics include storage fees as part of the overall IVF package. If storage isn’t covered, you can expect to pay between $350 and $1,500 per year.

    Several factors can impact this cost:

    • Storage contract length

      Many people opt for long-term contracts, which can reduce yearly fees. Facilities may offer 20% or 30% discounts if you plan to store embryos for five or 10 years.

    • Embryo bank location

      Costs may vary depending on where the embryo bank is located and whether it\'s part of a clinic or an independent storage facility.

    • Insurance coverage

      Some states have legislation around fertility preservation insurance. For instance, embryo banking costs are covered in New York if it’s medically necessary. Your insurance policy might cover part or all of your costs, so it’s worth checking your plan.

      How Many Embryos Should You Bank?

      There isn’t a set number of embryos you need to store. However, fertility experts generally recommend banking at least two to three embryos per child you plan to have. This helps ensure you have enough viable embryos in case one transfer doesn’t result in a successful pregnancy.

      If age or medical treatments might impact your fertility in the future, you may want to create and store as many embryos as possible now. On the other hand, if you’ve already had a successful pregnancy and only want one more child, you may feel comfortable banking fewer embryos. The key is to think about your needs and long-term goals.

      What Is the Success Rate of Embryo Banking?

      Embryo banking has a high success rate, especially when performed by experienced fertility specialists. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, over 95% of embryos survive the thawing process. However, factors like poor embryo quality, improper freezing techniques or damage during thawing can reduce survival rates.

      To offer peace of mind, some embryo banks provide survival guarantees. This can give you added confidence that your embryos will remain viable and ready for transfer when you’re ready to continue your family-building journey.

      What Are the Next Steps After Embryo Banking?

      If you plan to carry the pregnancy yourself, your next step will likely involve finding a fertility clinic to transfer your embryos. If you need help finding a reputable clinic, feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to provide you with some possible options.

      For those pursuing surrogacy, having embryos already banked means you’re a step ahead. You can begin the surrogate-matching process right away, which typically takes between one and six months. To move forward with your family-building journey, fill out our online form today.

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