The thawing and use of frozen embryos is called FET (frozen embryo transfer) procedure.
Frozen embryos can be transplanted into the uterus at an appropriate stage of a woman’s natural or hormone-supported menstrual cycle.
Frozen embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen in stable conditions.
Over 90% of embryos survive the thawing process. According to Estonian law, embryos may be stored for up to seven years.
The effectiveness of the FET procedure is equivalent to that of a fresh cycle.
Frozen embryos can be used if the first IVF or ICSI procedure failed for some reason, as well as if there is a desire to expand the family in a few years. Your doctor may advise you to freeze all embryos, for example, if you are at risk of hyperstimulation after ovarian stimulation. In this case, all embryos are frozen and the embryo transfer can take place, for example, the following month, once the woman’s body has recovered from ovarian stimulation.
Remaining high quality embryos after the transfer of a fresh embryo can be frozen. Our centre employs the process of vitrification, a form of rapid freezing in which the formation of ice crystals is prevented, thereby protecting cells from damage.