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Embryo freezing is a preservation technique used in IVF, involving the extraction of eggs and sperm from both the woman and the man, followed by the creation of embryos in the lab, which are then frozen in liquid nitrogen after five days
Women can freeze embryos between the ages of 21 and 50, while men can do so between the ages of 21 and 55. (News18 Hindi)
Nowadays, most young people are getting married after the age of 30. While women are opting for egg freezing before marriage to ensure they can become mothers even after marrying later, many couples are opting for embryo freezing to enjoy their marriage and plan their family according to their own timing. Through this process, the embryo is frozen and preserved for many years.
What Is Embryo Freezing?
Embryo freezing is a preservation technique used in IVF. Dr Shweta Goswami, IVF specialist at Jiva Clinic in Noida, explains that embryo freezing involves extracting eggs and sperm from both the woman and the man, then creating embryos in the lab, which are frozen in liquid nitrogen after five days.
A woman’s egg quality begins to decline after the age of 30, and it significantly worsens after 36. Likewise, sperm quality in men decreases after the age of 40. The ideal age for embryo freezing is under 30, as IVF experts aim to extract 12 to 18 healthy eggs to create embryos. Of these, only four to five healthy embryos are typically suitable for future pregnancy.
Although some people opt for embryo freezing after 30 or 40, the number of healthy eggs available at this age is considerably lower.
Embryo Freezing Process
Embryo freezing begins on the second or third day of a woman’s period. For 10 to 13 days, the woman is given injections, while her eggs are monitored through ultrasound and blood tests. The woman is then slightly sedated, and the eggs are extracted through her private parts, with no cuts made on the body.
These eggs are brought to the lab and fertilised with sperm. Once a good-quality embryo is formed, it is frozen on the fifth day. This process can cost between Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2.25 lakh, with an annual renewal fee of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 for embryo storage.
How To Prepare For Embryo Freezing
Couples are typically prepared three months in advance for the process. The woman’s uterus must be healthy, and both the egg and sperm quality should be optimal. To assess fertility, the woman’s egg count and quality are checked through a transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests, while the man’s sperm quality is evaluated.
Couples are advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle three months before the procedure. They are encouraged to quit smoking and drinking alcohol, limit caffeine intake, exercise, meditate, and follow a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, with foods such as almonds, walnuts, dates, flaxseed, tomatoes, berries, and figs.
Reasons For Embryo Freezing
Embryo freezing is done for two main reasons: social and medical.
Medical embryo freezing is performed when the man or woman has cancer, a tumour, or is about to undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery that could reduce fertility. It is also used when a woman has ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or any medical condition that could affect fertility.
On the other hand, social embryo freezing occurs when a couple does not want to have a child immediately due to career commitments or any other issue. This form of embryo freezing is becoming more popular as couples want to plan their families according to their own convenience and timeline.
Results
Freezing an embryo does not guarantee a 100% chance of pregnancy. It serves as a backup plan for couples. Dr Shweta Goswami mentions that couples are first encouraged to try conceiving naturally. If they are unable to do so, the embryo is implanted. Around 65-70% of women succeed in becoming mothers through embryo freezing.
Embryos can be stored for up to 10 years. In the US, a 25-year-old embryo was successfully implanted, resulting in a healthy pregnancy.
Scientifically, there is no time limit for freezing embryos, but under the ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) rules in India, embryos can be stored for up to 10 years.
This facility is available only to married couples, though single women can also freeze embryos with the help of donor sperm. Women can freeze embryos between the ages of 21 and 50, while men can do so between the ages of 21 and 55.
