Frozen Embryo Transfer
Embryos that are frozen during an IVF cycle can be transferred after next cycle or when patient want to have next pregnancy. Approx. 90% of vitrified embryos will survive the freeze/ thaw process. If the embryo survives, the chances of implantation are virtually the same as a fresh embryo transfer. In fact, several reports have suggested that transferring embryos in a frozen embryo transfer (FET) may actually be associated with a higher pregnancy rate than fresh transfers, suggesting that the endometrium during a stimulated fresh IVF cycle may not be optimal for implantation. The main advantage of a frozen embryo transfer as compared to a medicated IVF cycle is that there is no need for the surgical egg retrieval, no anesthesia, and no gonadotropins, which makes FET far less involved and less expensive. It is reassuring that there is no increased risk of congenital anomalies in infants born after the transfer of cryopreserved embryos.