For those who want to do infertility treatment, it is very important to have enough information about the process of doing this treatment! One of the most important parts that is effective in the success rate of processes like IVF and surrogacy is embryo transfer.
Embryos can be transferred to the woman’s uterus fresh or frozen. The meaning of transferring frozen embryos is that the embryos are frozen for a period of time and transferred to the woman’s body after a few months.
The important point is that the use of these methods can have different success rates, which we have fully examined in this article.
Reading this article can definitely solve all your mental questions about fresh vs frozen embryo transfer.
Fresh Embryo Transfer
Both frozen and fresh embryo transfers involve the initial step of ovulation induction and monitoring. Once the uterus is prepared, an egg retrieval takes place, where the reproductive endocrinologist combines the collected eggs with either the partner’s or a sperm donor’s sperm.
In fresh embryo transfer, following the retrieval and fertilization of the eggs, a fresh embryo transfer occurs within 3 to 5 days, as the fertilized embryo is placed back into the woman’s uterus. This approach allows for a shorter time to conception, as the waiting period between egg retrieval and embryo transfer is only five days. Throughout the process, close monitoring and growth observation of the embryo take place.
So, typically, fresh embryo transfers are performed with the guidance of ultrasound at the blastocyst stage, which occurs five days after the egg retrieval. However, if the embryos show inadequate development in the laboratory, the transfer may be delayed by three days. Any remaining embryos are preserved through cryopreservation.
Frozen Embryo Transfer
Typically, a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) will take place approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the freezing of the embryo. Once the patient is prepared for the transfer, medications are administered to simulate a natural menstrual cycle, and the timing of the FET is carefully coordinated with the cycle to maximize the chances of successful implantation.
Frozen embryo transfer (FET) is an essential procedure for patients seeking to undergo genetic testing of their fetus for abnormalities. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is carried out shortly after the retrieval of the eggs. In this procedure, after sampling from embryo, DNA will be analyzed for genetic abnormalities.
Following the completion of PGT, the embryologist can selectively choose only embryos that exhibit normal chromosomes for transfer. This meticulous selection of healthy embryos significantly enhances the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
Moreover, frozen embryo transfer offers the advantage of preserving embryos for future use, even years later. This becomes particularly beneficial when patients desire subsequent pregnancies down the line. In instances where individuals need to protect their fertility due to factors such as age, cancer treatment, or other reasons, embryos can be created and stored for later utilization. These embryos can undergo FET when the patient is ready to pursue pregnancy.
There are three main reasons for using frozen embryo transfer:
- FET gives the woman’s body a chance to recover after egg retrieval and before implantation.
- By freezing embryos, embryologists have time to check for chromosomal abnormalities before transferring the embryos.
- FET allows the doctor to synchronize the time between the embryo and the uterus so that implantation can be successful.
Key difference between Fresh Embryo Transfer and Frozen Embryo Transfer
In fresh embryo transfer, transferring fertilized embryos into the woman’s uterus during the same IVF cycle in which the eggs are retrieved and fertilized is done.
In Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET), the embryos are frozen after fertilization and stored for transfer in the next IVF cycle.
Success rates for fresh and frozen embryo transfers
One of the main things in the processes related to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is the success rate! Because if you don’t consider the success rate, you’ve actually done useless processes.
So, let’s compare the success rate of fresh vs frozen embryo transfer in this section.
Actually, some data show FET have more success rate than fresh embryo transfer. On the other hand, many experimental data is shown there are no significant differences between success rate of fresh embryo transfer and frozen embryo transfer.
The success rates of live births following a fresh embryo transfer are influenced, in part, by the age of the patient. For women under 35, the live birth rate stands at 36.7%, for women aged 35-37, it is 26.6%, for women aged 38-40, it is 15.6%, and for women aged 41 and older, it is 9.3%.
The success rates of Live Birth Rates (LBRs) achieved through the use of frozen embryo transfer are noteworthy. Among women under 35, the LBR stands at an impressive 46.5%. Similarly, women aged 35-37 achieve a respectable LBR of 38.6%, while women aged 38-40 attain a noteworthy LBR of 29.4%. Even among women aged 41 and older, the LBR remains a commendable 25.9%. It is worth noting that these rates significantly surpass the success rates observed in fresh embryo transfers
So, answer of this question, is frozen embryo transfer better than fresh, is here! The reality is that whether transferring fresh or frozen embryos, your age will play an important role in creating good quality embryos.
If you want to know which embryo have the best quality, please read our latest article, embryo grading.
Fresh vs Frozen Embryo Transfer
In this session, we want compare fresh embryo transfer and frozen embryo transfer. The detailed information about this topic was written above and you can read.
Fresh Embryo Transfer (FET)
– Process: Involves ovulation induction and monitoring, egg retrieval, and fertilization. The fresh embryo is transferred to the woman’s uterus within 3 to 5 days after egg retrieval.
– Timing: Allows for a shorter time to conception due to the immediate transfer of embryos after fertilization.
– Monitoring: Close observation of embryo growth and development is conducted throughout the process.
– Flexibility: Transfer may be delayed if embryos show inadequate development. Remaining embryos can be cryopreserved for future use.
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
– Process: Involves freezing embryos post-fertilization and transferring them in a subsequent IVF cycle, typically 6 to 8 weeks later.
– Genetic Testing: Allows for Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to check embryos for chromosomal abnormalities, enhancing the likelihood of transferring healthy embryos.
– Preservation: Embryos can be preserved for future use, beneficial for those who wish to have subsequent pregnancies or need to delay due to various reasons.
– Recovery: Gives the woman’s body time to recover after egg retrieval, and allows synchronization between the embryo and the uterus for successful implantation.
Key Differences
– Timing: Fresh transfers occur in the same IVF cycle as egg retrieval, while frozen transfers are done in a subsequent cycle.
– Flexibility: Frozen transfers allow for recovery time and genetic testing, while fresh transfers are quicker but with less flexibility for testing and synchronization.
– Fresh Embryo Transfer: Success rates vary based on the woman’s age, ranging from 36.7% (under 35 years) to 9.3% (41 and older).
– Frozen Embryo Transfer: Generally higher success rates, ranging from 46.5% (under 35 years) to 25.9% (41 and older).
Both methods can have similar success rates, but frozen embryo transfer tends to have higher success rates across different age groups. Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) seems to offer more flexibility, better planning, and higher success rates compared to Fresh Embryo Transfer. However, the choice between the two methods may depend on individual circumstances, such as age and the specific needs and conditions of the patients.
You should know, if you want to go to foreign country for doing your IVF or surrogacy journey, FET is not recommended because you can’t go back to your home country, then come back to your destination for doing the ART procedure. In this case, we advise you to do fresh embryo transfer.
Our experimental evidences show us, for surrogacy, the success rate of fresh embryo transfer is too high and it should be done. However, for IVF and IVF related procedure there is no significant evidence to do fresh or frozen embryo transfer.
