Frozen Embryo Transfer

Approximately 70% of patients have ‘extra’ embryos following their IVF cycle that can be cryopreserved for future use. Embryo cryopreservation allows embryos to be stored by cooling them to a very low temperature (-196^oC) and storing them in liquid nitrogen. 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 $200.00 for ongoing storage beyond the first year.

Cryopreserved embryos may be transferred in a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. The patient should contact an IVF nurse to activate their name on the frozen embryo treatment waitlist and make a follow up appointment with their clinic physician for review. For patients requesting FET following pregnancy, a minimum of 2 normal menstrual cycles after completion of breastfeeding is recommended. For patients requesting FET following unsuccessful fresh embryo transfer, a minimum of 2 normal cycles following bleed after the unsuccessful cycle is required. Patients may be required to repeat HSG and/or pelvic ultrasound prior to transfer (if these are out of date).