Frozen Embryo Transfer
What is a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)?
If you have high-quality frozen embryos, you can use those embryos for subsequent transfers, even if those embryos were made at another clinic.
(FET) is a common procedure in IVF where frozen embryos from a previous IVF cycle are thawed and transferred into the uterus. FET can be beneficial for a number of reasons, including an increase in the success rate of implantation due to selection of only the highest quality embryos. FET is also a great option for those who want to time the timing of their pregnancy, as frozen embryos can be stored for years before being transferred.
Frozen Embryo Transfers with Pinnacle
- Pinnacle embryologists have high prior freeze-thaw survival rates and are skilled in correctly determining the embryo grade before and after the thaw.
- Our goal is to maximize the chance of a successful pregnancy while minimizing the chance of multiple births, so our price includes transfer for every viable embryo from a single retrieval for embryos created and frozen at Pinnacle until you have a successful pregnancy or there are no more viable embryos.
- Enhanced Flexibility and Convenience: FET offers the flexibility to schedule embryo transfers at a time that best suits patients' physical and personal circumstances. This approach allows for better preparation and timing, potentially increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
- Increased Success Rates with Advanced Freezing Techniques: Modern freezing techniques, such as vitrification, preserve embryos with minimal risk of damage, maintaining their viability and quality. This results in high success rates for FET, comparable to fresh embryo transfers.
- Optimized Patient Health and Safety: With an FET, the transfer is delayed ensuring a safer and more favorable uterine environment for implantation, improving the overall success and safety of the treatment.
Who Is FET Right For?
Many benefit from frozen embryo transfers (FET), including:
- IVF Patients with Excess Embryos: After an IVF cycle, if there are high-quality embryos remaining after the fresh transfer, these can be frozen for future use. FET is ideal for individuals or couples who wish to attempt another pregnancy without undergoing a full IVF cycle again.
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) Candidates: Couples who opt for genetic testing of their embryos may use FET. Embryos are frozen while awaiting genetic test results, and then a healthy embryo is selected for transfer.
- Failed Fresh IVF Cycle: For those who have undergone a fresh embryo transfer with IVF but did not achieve pregnancy, FET offers another opportunity using their frozen embryos.
- Fertility Preservation: Individuals or couples who need to delay childbearing due to cancer treatment, surgery, or other personal reasons may freeze embryos for future use.
- Same-Sex Couples or Single Individuals: FET is also an option for same-sex couples or single individuals using donor sperm or eggs, who wish to have children.
- Secondary Infertility: Couples who had a successful pregnancy in the past but are facing difficulties conceiving again can use FET if they have previously frozen embryos.
The Frozen Embryo Transfer Journey
Thawing & Grading Frozen Embryos
The frozen embryos from your previous IVF cycles are thawed in the Pinnacle laboratory. Once the embryo has thawed, highly skilled embryologists will examine it under a microscope and grade it in order to select the best embryos and maximize your chances of success.
Embryo Transfer
After thawing and grading, the next step in the frozen embryo transfer process is the transfer procedure. Our embryologist will pick the highest-graded embryos using ultrasound imaging for guidance and gently place the selected embryos into the patient's uterus. This quick outpatient procedure requires no sedation and feels similar to a pap smear.
Medication Boost
Following the embryo transfer process, you may be prescribed medication to support the implantation and increase the likelihood of pregnancy.
Pregnancy Testing
After about two weeks, you’ll take a pregnancy test. If the test is positive, we’ll administer another test soon after to make sure the pregnancy is progressing successfully. If everything goes well, you’ll be well on your journey to building your family. If your pregnancy test is negative, we’ll schedule a follow-up visit to discuss your fertility treatment options.
frozen Embryo Transfer FAQs
An FET cycle can be done at any time, as long as your frozen embryos are available and viable for thawing and transfer. However, it is important to discuss with your healthcare provider if an FET is the best option for you, as there may be other factors to consider in deciding whether or not to pursue an FET cycle.
Another factor to consider is the age of your frozen embryos. Embryos can typically be frozen for several years before their viability begins to decrease, but it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider and fertility clinic.
It is possible to do multiple FET cycles, as long as there are frozen embryos available. However, it is important to discuss with your healthcare provider the potential risks and benefits of multiple FET cycles before making a decision.
The success rate for FET can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the age and quality of the frozen embryos and the individual patient's unique fertility factors. In general, studies have shown that the success rate for FET is comparable to fresh embryo transfer. It is important to discuss your specific situation with your healthcare provider to understand your potential likelihood of success with an FET cycle.
In some cases, it may be possible to select a specific frozen embryo for transfer. This selection can often be based on the embryo's characteristics, such as cell number and appearance under the microscope. However, this decision should be made in conjunction with your healthcare provider, as they will have important expertise and knowledge about.
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