Get Started

Intended Parents

How to Freeze Embryos

Freezing embryos could be part of your journey to becoming a parent.

No matter why you may need to know how to freeze embryos, knowing the ins and outs of the embryo freezing process can help you clarify whether it may be right for your situation.

If you are unable to achieve a pregnancy, surrogacy with frozen embryos still gives you a way to grow your family. Contact us online to learn more about surrogacy with frozen embryos and how it puts you that much closer to being a parent.

Below, we’ll break down everything about the embryo freezing process, from its benefits, the steps involved, its cost and chances of success.

 Can You Freeze Embryos?

Yes, you can freeze embryos. There are a number of reasons why you may need to freeze embryos such as:

  • Surrogacy

  • Advancing age

  • Gender transition

  • Infertility issues

  • Social or personal reasons

  • Recieving treatment that can damage fertility

  • Upcoming military deployment

    How to Freeze an Embryo [Vitrification]

    Embryos are typically frozen through a process called vitrification.

    • Step 1: Vitrification replaces the water in the embryo cells with a cryoprotectant agent which stops the ice crystals from forming that can damage cells
    • Step 2: That fluid combined with liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -321 Fahrenheit flash freezes the cells to prevent ice crystals from forming. Ice crystals can be damaging to the cells of an embryo.
    • Step 3:  The embryos are frozen in straws until they are ready to be used.

    Read more about the success rates of embryo transfers with frozen embryos.

    How Do I Know How Many Embryos to Freeze?

    There isn’t a specific number when it comes to how many embryos to freeze, but most clinics recommend freezing at least 3-5. The more you have, the more opportunity you have to continue with the process in the event that the first transfer doesn’t take. Standard medical practice is to only transfer one or two embryos at a time.

    How Much Does It Cost to Freeze Embryos?

    All told, it can add up to $14,000-$20,000.

    The cost of embryo freezing is made up of:

    • Medications to boost egg production

    • The egg retrieval

    • Fertilization and embryo development

    • Cryopreservation

      There isn’t a set figure because testing requirements, insurance coverage and the number of egg retrieval cycles needed all factor into that number and can’t be determined beforehand.

      How Long Does it Take to Freeze Embryos?

      The length of time is dependent on the method used to freeze the embryos.

      Once the embryos are frozen, they have long term viability.

      Factors that will impact that viability include:

      But the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines say that embryos preserved through vitrification can be maintained indefinitely, provided they remain in a frozen state.

      If you’re considering surrogacy, you can be matched with a surrogate in an average of 1 - 4 months once you have viable embryos.

      We can help walk you through the next steps. Get in touch with us today to learn more or browse our highly-qualified surrogates.

      Freezing Eggs vs. Embryos

      Both of these avenues are ways to preserve fertility for those wishing to delay a pregnancy.

      Here’s how freezing eggs vs. embryos differs:

      Frozen embryos involves fertilizing mature eggs with sperm while egg freezing freezes them unfertilized. Eggs are thawed, then fertilized and transferred while embryos are thawed and transferred when the intended parents are ready to conceive.

      Embryo freezing has higher success rates because the embryos are already fertilized and have shown to survive freezing and thawing better than unfertilized eggs.

      Embryo freezing is typically more expensive initially, requiring egg retrieval and fertilization. But later costs are less with the embryos already being created and now ready for transfer.

      Embryo Freezing Success Rates

      Using fresh or frozen embryos all comes down to the circumstances of your situation. But using frozen embryos allows you to:

      • Genetically test your frozen embryos, ensuring only the highest quality embryos are transferred.
      • Choose when to have the transfer, a timeline tailored to your situation.
      • Save money, as its more cost effective to use frozen embryos you have vs. more IVF cycle to create more embryos.

      The processes are similar until the embryo transfer itself, with the fresh embryo transfer taking place three to five days after egg retrieval and a FET taking place whenever works best for your plans.

      When it comes to embryo freezing success rates:

      • Higher quality embryos are associated with a 79% live birth rate with good quality at 64%. Poor quality embryos are associated with a low birth rate of 28%.
      • If you decide to have your embryos frozen below the age of 35, your chances of higher quality embryos increase. If you choose to freeze your embryos above the age of 35, the chances of low-quality embryos increase.

      Fill out our online contact form today to get connected to a reputable fertility clinic near you.

      Get Started