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What is a Frozen Embryo?

Frozen embryos can help preserve future fertility.

Utilizing frozen embryos for your journey gives you flexibility in the planning process while increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.

We can put you in touch with fertility clinics that can guide you through the embryo cryopreservation process. Get in touch with us online.

This article will dive into what a frozen embryo is, how they are used and how they could impact your journey.

What is a Frozen Embryo?

A frozen embryo is an embryo that has been created through IVF and then preserved for future use by freezing it at a very low temperature through a process known as embryo cryopreservation.

Embryos are generally frozen for fertility treatments, like IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Both of those treatments produce more than one embryo and you may choose to freeze those extra embryos if:

  • You want to delay starting a family to a later date.

  • You want to grow your family through surrogacy.

  • You want a backup plan if other fertility treatments fail.

  • You are undergoing cancer treatment that may affect fertility.

    Once you have your embryos, you are that much closer to being a parent. You can start looking at surrogates right now.

    If you’re considering surrogacy, having embryos means you could be matched with a surrogate in as little as 1 - 6 months. Find out more about how to find a surrogate here.

    How are Embryos Frozen?

    • Step 1: Embryos are frozen through a process called vitrification. Water in the embryo’s cells is replaced by a cryoprotectant agent. This liquid stops the formation of ice crystals that can damage cells
    • Step 2: Then, the embryos are immersed in liquid nitrogen at -321 Fahrenheit, flash freezing them to stop all development within the embryo.
    • Step 3: The now frozen embryos are then stored in vials until they are ready to be thawed and used.

    How are Frozen Embryos Thawed and Used? [Frozen Embryo Transfer]

    • A frozen embryo is thawed by first removing it from the liquid nitrogen.

    • After allowing it to return to a normal temperature, it’s soaked in fluids to remove the cryoprotectant agent while replacing the displaced water in the cells.

      Using frozen embryos on your IVF journey opens the door to surrogacy as a path to parenthood. Using those embryos for the frozen embryo transfer (FET) will save you time and money as a result of not needing additional egg retrievals and taking as many medications.

      Here’s an example of what the steps to a FET could look like for you:

      Is IVF More Successful With Frozen Embryos?

      Compared to fresh embryo transfers, FETs generally have higher success rates.

      There isn’t an exact percentage as it varies from person to person. Both begin with inducing ovulation, followed by egg retrieval and fertilization.

      But a fresh embryo transfer takes place three to five days after egg retrieval whereas a FET can take place months or even years after egg retrieval.

      Only the highest graded embryos are transferred and FETs allow for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) that leads to higher success rates as a result of frozen embryos being able to be tested for the chromosomal material as well as single gene disorders.

      How Long Do Frozen Embryos Last?

      One of the many benefits of using frozen embryos is the ability to save them for future use as you can store them for an indefinite period of time although cost and your where you store them may impact that.

      When you freeze embryos, its effectively suspending them in time as all biological activity is stopped. The longest an embryo stayed frozen and was successfully thawed and used was 19 years.

      Fill out our online contact form to get more free information about how surrogacy can give you the opportunity to be a parent. We can help you find a surrogate in as little as 1 - 6 months once you have embryos.

      Frozen Embryo FAQ

      Are Frozen Embryos Alive?

      Yes, frozen embryos are alive. Freezing embryos does not destroy them; instead, the vitrification process only stops the development of the embryo. However, its metabolism is just enough to maintain its potential for life when the embryo thawing process occurs.

      Are Frozen Embryos Considered Children?

      The answer to this question depends on when you read it and where you are located in the U.S. In early 2024, Alabama’s Supreme Court declared that embryos created through IVF should be considered children. That ruling may have a domino effect with 1.5 million embryos frozen in the U.S.

      Is a Frozen Embryo a Fertilized Egg?

      A frozen embryo is the next stage of development for a fertilized egg. In order for the embryo to be frozen, eggs have to be retrieved from the ovaries and combined with the sperm of the intended father or donor to create the embryos. These embryos are allowed to develop before being frozen.

      Can a Baby Be Born From a Frozen Embryo?  

      Yes, a baby can be born from a frozen embryo. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has evolved and with frozen embryo transfers, women aged 35 or younger have a 60% pregnancy rate per transfer. Women over 40 have a 20% pregnancy rate per transfer.

      Male and Female couple smiling with surrogate mother
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