If you are in a committed relationship and would like to have kids with your partner, but are not yet ready for children, embryo freezing is the preferred method for fertility preservation. It is best to freeze your embryos as early as possible, because fertility declines with age. However, there is not a clear cut-off line for when embryo freezing is no longer feasible. Below, we will take a look at the best time for embryo freezing.

Best Time for Embryo Freezing

Egg quality and embryo quality decrease throughout a woman's life, with faster drops occuring as she gradually ages into her late 30s and 40s. Therefore, it is best for women to preserve their fertility as soon as possible. Ideally, embryos should be frozen while the woman is in her late 20s or early 30s. If not, the second best time for embryo freezing is now. As long as there are viable embryos from the cycle, it is possible to freeze embryos for future use. However, it is most likely that there will be viable embryos if the woman is younger.‍

Embryo Freezing Process

‍The embryo freezing process is very similar to a fresh IVF cycle, with the exception that the embryos are frozen rather than transferred to the woman's uterus. First, the woman's ovaries are stimulated to produce more eggs than usual by the administration of fertility drugs, typically injectable gonadotropins. The development of egg follicles is monitored with blood tests and/or transvaginal ultrasound. Once the egg follicles are mature, a "trigger" injection is given and the eggs are collected from the ovaries. The eggs are taken to the laboratory, where the embryologist cultures them with sperm to produce embryos.Next, the embryos mature for several days. During this time, it is possible to test the embryos for abnormalities. Once the embryos reach the blastocyst stage at 5-6 days, the embryologist examines the embryos to select those which appear normal and viable. These embryos are frozen for later use.When the couple is ready to get pregnant, one or more embryos are thawed. The woman's uterus is prepared with hormonal medications, and the embryos are transferred. If the embryo implants in the uterine lining, pregnancy occurs.

If you are interested in embryo freezing, Dr. Randy Morris would be happy to hear from you. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call IVF1 at (630) 357-6540.