A Complete Guide to Embryo Freezing (Cryopreservation) and Your Fertility Choices

What is Embryo Freezing?

• The embryos are kept in liquid nitrogen at -196°C.
• The freezing process halts all biological activity, keeping the embryos safe for years.
• When you are ready, the embryos are thawed and placed into the uterus to begin a pregnancy.

Why Do People Choose Embryo Freezing?

• Medical reasons: Before treatments like chemotherapy, which may affect fertility.
• Age factor: Fertility naturally declines with age. Freezing embryos at a younger age preserves better quality.
• Family planning: If you are not ready to start a family now, but want children later.
• Multiple embryos in IVF: During IVF, often more embryos are created than are immediately used. Freezing avoids wastage.
• Lifestyle considerations: You may prefer to wait until financial, emotional, or personal circumstances feel right.

The Step-by-Step Process of Embryo Freezing

1. Initial Consultation

• Meet a fertility specialist
• Undergo basic medical assessments like blood tests and scans
• Discuss health history and reasons for freezing

2. Ovarian Stimulation

• You receive hormonal injections to stimulate the ovaries
• This helps produce multiple eggs per cycle, not just one
• Regular scans and blood tests monitor progress

3. Egg Retrieval

• Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved through a minor medical procedure
• Anaesthesia is provided for comfort
• The procedure lasts about 20 minutes

4. Fertilisation in the Laboratory

• Retrieved eggs are fertilised with sperm to create embryos
• Fertilisation can be done through standard IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

5. Embryo Development

• Embryos grow in a controlled environment for 3–5 days
• The best-quality embryos are selected for freezing

6. Freezing (Cryopreservation)

• The selected embryos are frozen using a method called vitrification
• This prevents ice crystals, ensuring higher survival rates

7. Storage

• The frozen embryos are stored securely in liquid nitrogen tanks
• Embryos can stay frozen for years without losing quality

Success Rates of Embryo Freezing in India

• Frozen embryo transfers have success rates similar to, and sometimes even better than, those of fresh embryo transfers.
• The survival rate of vitrified embryos after thawing is more than 90%.
• Pregnancy rates per transfer can range from 40% to 60%, depending on age, health, and clinic expertise.

Benefits of Embryo Freezing

• Flexibility: Gives you control over when to start a family.
• Better success with IVF: Preserves the healthiest embryos for later use.
• Reduced medical strain: Avoids repeating ovarian stimulation if you plan multiple IVF attempts.
• Security for the future: Provides peace of mind in case fertility declines with age.
• Ethical option: Prevents discarding surplus embryos created during IVF cycles.

Risks and Considerations

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): May occur during the stimulation phase. It is usually monitored and managed by specialists.
• Procedure-related discomfort: Egg retrieval involves minor risks like bleeding or infection, though rare.
• Storage costs: Annual storage fees are applicable in most clinics.
• Emotional factors: Waiting to use embryos may involve psychological considerations.
• Not 100% guaranteed: Success depends on various factors, including age, embryo quality, and overall health.

Legal and Ethical Aspects in India

• Embryos can be stored for up to 10 years, as per current Indian regulations.
• Consent from both partners is required before the procedure is performed.
• Clinics must be registered and adhere to ethical practices as outlined in national guidelines.
• The donation or disposal of embryos must also comply with applicable legal requirements.

Cost of Embryo Freezing in India

• Initial IVF cycle: ₹1.5–2.5 lakhs (including stimulation, retrieval, and fertilisation)
• Freezing charges: ₹30,000–₹50,000 for the procedure
• Annual storage fee: ₹10,000–₹20,000 per year
• Future embryo transfer: ₹1–1.5 lakhs per cycle

Who Should Consider Embryo Freezing?

• You are undergoing medical treatments that can harm fertility.
• You are in your 20s or 30s but want to delay parenthood.
• You are undergoing IVF and have surplus embryos.
• You want to secure fertility before advancing age reduces egg quality.
• You want to avoid the pressure and stress of rushed family planning.

Tips to Prepare for Embryo Freezing

• Maintain healthy nutrition.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol, and excess caffeine.
• Include regular exercise and stress management techniques.
• Discuss all medical conditions with your doctor.
• Ask about storage duration, costs, and success rates at your clinic.
• Involve your partner or support system in discussions for emotional balance.

What to Expect After Freezing

• Frozen embryos stay safe until you're ready to use them.
• When you are ready, you will undergo a frozen embryo transfer cycle.
• The uterus is prepared using medications, and thawed embryos are placed inside.
• The procedure is usually painless and quick.
• A pregnancy test is done around two weeks after transfer.

FAQs on Embryo Freezing in India: A Complete Guide to Cryopreservation and Your Fertility Choices

1. How long can embryos remain frozen in India?
   Embryos can legally be stored for up to 10 years under current Indian guidelines.
2. Does freezing harm the embryos?
   No, modern vitrification methods ensure high survival rates, often above 90%, after thawing.
3. Is embryo freezing painful?
   The freezing process itself is not painful. Only egg retrieval involves minor discomfort under anaesthesia.
4. Can single individuals freeze embryos in India?
   Embryo freezing requires both egg and sperm. Individuals can also freeze their eggs or sperm.
5. Are frozen embryos less effective than fresh ones?
   Studies show frozen embryo transfers often have equal or better success rates compared to fresh transfers.