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.
A 42-year-old corporate lawyer with premature...
A 42-year-old corporate lawyer with premature ovarian failure, previously told by three clinics that donor eggs were her only option. Dr. Mohan designed an aggressive but carefully monitored protocol with androgen priming and double stimulation. Against all odds, she produced two viable embryos and delivered healthy twins at 37 weeks via scheduled cesarean.
IVF and Reproductive Medicines for Embryo Vitrification
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