subject: Get the Facts about Embryo Cryopreservation [print this page] Get the Facts about Embryo Cryopreservation
The area of reproductive medicine and the technology surrounding the treatments is advancing very quickly. Embryo cryopreservation is one of the most exciting advances to date. For many families, this is the best chance they have of creating a family.How does Embryo Cryopreservation Work?
In the process of IVF, numerous embryos may be created prior to implantation to assure that there are enough viable ones are available at the time of transfer. However, to avoid the complication of high order multiple pregnancies, only so many can be implanted at one time. The other embryos may be cryopreserved for future IVF treatments. The process involves these steps:- The embryo is prepared and mixed with a cryoprotectant which protects the embryo from damage in the freezing process.
- The mixture is then stored in a very thin tube made of glass and placed in a machine at a very low temperature filled with liquid nitrogen.
- If the couple wants to use the remaining embryos for another IVF treatment, the tube is removed from the liquid nitrogen and thawed.
- Once they are thawed, the protecting fluid is removed and the embryo is prepared for transfer.When Should Embryo Cryopreservation be Considered?
The topic of fertility is deeply personal and complex. There are so many things that need to be considered as well as lots of decisions to be made. Here we include list of several common reasons that make embryo cryopreservation a consideration, but there are of course many other reasons it may be considered:- For anyone that wants additional children and want to maximize the probability of a live birth
- For women who are highly at risk of developing ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome
- Those who have encountered difficulty in fresh embryo transfer
- Embryo cryopreservation is often a strong consideration for those who may need to undergo cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation
- Those with religious or personal convictions concerning the embryoWhat is the success Rate of Transfer after Embryo Cryopreservation?
The pregnancy and live birth rates after embryo cryopreservation vary between fertility treatment centers. When comparing success rates, it is important to understand the factors influencing the statistics and rates at individual clinics. A few of the most important contributing factors include:- Age of the mother
- Type of fertility problem
- Number of embryos implantedWhen viewing the success rate of a particular clinic, keep in mind that they may only attempt certain treatments with only those cases which would most likely end in a successful outcome. Some clinics may actually implant several embryos at a time to ensure a pregnancy. Additionally, not every embryo survives the cryopreservation process.Common Concerns Related to Embryo Cryopreservation- Does the process increase the risk of abnormalities? There have been no known abnormalities found to be caused by this process.
- What happens to the embryos if you do not want to try again? In most cases, there are very few, if any embryos left after a woman completes fertility treatments. However, if any remain they can be donated or even "adopted" in many cases.
- How long can they be stored? There is very little long term studies on the treatment as it is very new. However, there is nothing evidential to suggest any harm caused to the embryo by long term storage.Fortunately, today's technology offers patients many options to consider in fertility treatments. While this process is still considered experimental, it is also highly respected as viable option for many patients.
