Embryo Cryopreservation

Approximately 70% of patients have ‘extra’ embryos following their IVF cycle. These embryos can be saved for future use providing the opportunity for additional attempts at pregnancy from a single IVF cycle. Embryo cryopreservation allows embryos to be stored by cooling them to a very low temperature (-196^oC) and storing them in liquid nitrogen. During the freezing process, the embryos are placed in solutions that gradually remove the water from their cells. This protects them from damaging ice crystal formation during freezing.

When thawed, they are placed in a different series of solutions to add water back to the cells. These thawed embryos can then be transferred into the uterus during a frozen embryo transfer cycle for another attempt at pregnancy, without having to undergo the entire IVF cycle.

Vitrification is a new method of cryopreservation that allows for ultra-rapid cooling of embryos and blastocysts, preventing the formation of damaging ice crystals. Vitrified embryos have better post-thaw survival rates and can result in higher pregnancy and live birth rates.

Not all patients will have extra embryos for cryopreservation. Only good quality embryos are frozen as poorer quality embryos do not survive the freezing thaw cycle.

The cost of embryo freezing and storage for the first year is included in the initial IVF fees. There is an annual fee of $225.00 for ongoing storage beyond the first year.