Embryo Freezing: What Are Your Options?

Fertility Planning Isn’t Just About Today — It’s About Tomorrow Too

For many couples, family planning doesn’t follow a fixed timeline. Whether due to medical treatment, personal goals, or the natural course of fertility treatment, freezing embryos gives you the option to preserve your chances of pregnancy in the future — with confidence and peace of mind.

At Dr. Richa Gangwar’s fertility clinic in Lucknow, we offer safe, advanced embryo freezing services as part of our personalized fertility solutions. Let’s explore what embryo freezing means, how it works, and whether it’s the right option for you.

What Is Embryo Freezing?

Embryo freezing, or embryo cryopreservation, is the process of preserving fertilized eggs (embryos) at a very low temperature (-196°C) using a technique called vitrification. These embryos can be safely stored for months or even years, and later used in a future Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle.

Who Should Consider Embryo Freezing?

Embryo freezing is a good option for:

• Couples undergoing IVF who have extra embryos

• Women planning fertility preservation before cancer treatment

• Couples postponing pregnancy for personal or medical reasons

• Patients at risk of OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome) where embryo transfer is delayed

• Patients using donor sperm or donor eggs

• Cases where the uterus is not ready for implantation due to lining issues

When Does Embryo Freezing Happen?

Embryo freezing typically occurs during an IVF cycle, after:

1. Egg retrieval

2. Fertilization in the lab using ICSI or IVF

3. Embryo development for 3 to 5 days (until the cleavage or blastocyst stage)

4. Selection of healthy embryos for transfer or freezing

At Dr. Richa Gangwar’s clinic, we freeze only good-quality embryos to ensure high success rates in future transfers.

What Are the Options for Embryo Freezing?

You can choose embryo freezing based on:

1. Number of Embryos

• Freeze all embryos: For patients doing elective embryo freezing, or when transfer is postponed.

• Freeze remaining embryos: After fresh embryo transfer, any extra good-quality embryos can be stored.

2. Timing of Freezing

• Day 3 (Cleavage Stage): When the embryo has 6–8 cells.

• Day 5 or 6 (Blastocyst Stage): More developed, higher implantation potential. This is more commonly preferred.

3. Duration of Freezing

• Embryos can be stored for up to 10 years or more, depending on legal and clinic policies.

• You and your partner will be asked to consent to storage and future use.

Benefits of Embryo Freezing

• Higher success in subsequent IVF cycles without needing another egg retrieval

• Cost-effective long-term fertility planning

• Lower risk of complications (e.g., avoiding OHSS)

• Flexibility to prepare the uterus better before transfer

• Supports family planning later in life

• Can be used for surrogacy or donor programs in future

How Frozen Embryos Are Used Later

When you’re ready to try for pregnancy:

1. Your uterus is prepared with hormonal medication or a natural cycle

2. The embryo is carefully thawed

3. It is transferred into the uterus using a simple, painless procedure

4. A pregnancy test is done after 12–14 days

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycles are generally less stressful, more affordable, and have comparable success rates to fresh cycles.

Is Embryo Freezing Safe?

Yes — with modern vitrification technology, the survival rate of frozen embryos is over 90%. Children born from frozen embryos have shown no increased risk of birth defects or complications.

At our clinic, we ensure strict lab standards, quality control, and transparent storage practices so you can trust your embryos are in safe hands.

Emotional and Ethical Considerations

Freezing embryos can be an emotional decision. Couples often wonder:

• What if we don’t use the embryos?

• Can we donate them?

• Will freezing affect the baby’s health?

At Dr. Richa Gangwar’s clinic, we provide counselling and clear information before freezing, so you can make decisions confidently and ethically.

Cost and Documentation

• Embryo freezing involves an annual storage fee after the initial freezing

• All procedures are done with written consent and discussed in detail

• We maintain complete privacy and legal compliance