About Embryo Vitrification
Key Highlights
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Superior survival rates (often over 95%) compared to older slow-freezing methods.Allows for the preservation of surplus embryos for future IVF cycles, increasing cumulative pregnancy chances.Enables fertility preservation for medical reasons (e.g., prior to cancer treatment) or elective social egg freezing.Facilitates genetic testing (PGT) by allowing time for biopsy analysis before a frozen embryo transfer.Reduces the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) by allowing for a 'freeze-all' cycle.Provides flexibility in family planning, allowing transfers at optimal times for uterine receptivity./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Preservation of surplus high-quality embryos following a fresh IVF cycle.
- Medical fertility preservation prior to treatments that may impair fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
- Elective fertility preservation for personal or social reasons (egg freezing, where eggs are fertilized to create embryos for vitrification).
- When preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is planned, requiring time for analysis.
- To avoid fresh embryo transfer in cases of high risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
- To synchronize the embryo transfer with a more receptive uterine environment in a subsequent natural or medicated cycle.
How to prepare
- Completion of a standard IVF cycle, including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and fertilization.
- Embryo culture in the laboratory for 3-6 days until they reach the blastocyst stage (optimal for vitrification).
- Comprehensive discussion with the fertility specialist regarding the number and quality of embryos suitable for vitrification.
- Completion of all necessary consent forms for cryopreservation, storage, and future use of embryos.
- No specific physical preparation is required for the patient, as the procedure is performed in the embryology lab.
Risks & possible complications
- Embryo survival risk: A small percentage of vitrified embryos may not survive the thawing process, though rates are very high with modern techniques.
- No increased risk of congenital abnormalities or developmental issues in children born from vitrified embryos compared to fresh transfers.
- Potential for long-term storage decisions and associated ethical considerations.
- Financial costs associated with annual embryo storage fees.
- Very low technical risk of sample mix-up or loss, mitigated by stringent lab protocols and double-witnessing systems.
Recovery & hospital stay
- There is no physical recovery period for the patient from the vitrification process itself, as it is a laboratory procedure.
- Recovery relates to the prior egg retrieval procedure, which typically involves 1-2 days of rest.
- Post-vitrification, the embryos are stored indefinitely in secure cryogenic tanks until a decision is made for a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle.
- For a FET cycle, preparation involves hormonal medications to prepare the uterine lining, followed by a simple thaw and transfer procedure.
- Patients can resume normal activities immediately after being informed of the successful vitrification.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (lab procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0 days (from vitrification)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering embryo vitrification in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with ivf and reproductive medicine departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform embryo vitrification. MediFyr helps you compare ivf and reproductive medicines and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for embryo vitrification compare across other countries where we have data.
Amit Davis, 38, is a software...
Amit Davis, 38, is a software engineer who was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 35. Before starting aggressive chemotherapy, which carried a high risk of infertility, his oncologist urgently referred him to a fertility clinic. He underwent sperm retrieval and, with his partner, created several embryos via IVF. To preserve their future family-building options until he was cancer-free and ready, their reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Lee, strongly recommended embryo vitrification. The egg retrieval and fertilization process was emotionally and physically intense, happening amidst cancer treatment. Knowing the embryos were safely vitrified provided immense relief during his recovery. Two years later, in remission, Amit and his partner thawed one embryo, resulting in a successful pregnancy and the birth of their daughter. The emotional journey was a rollercoaster, from the fear of losing fertility forever to the profound hope the frozen embryos represented. Post-vitrification, he felt a tangible sense of security and control over at least one part of his future.
IVF and Reproductive Medicines for Embryo Vitrification
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