Fresh Vs. Frozen Embryo Transfers: What is The Difference?

Fertility specialists and patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) must make a critical decision: whether to transfer a fresh or frozen embryo. Both options have pros and cons, and understanding the differences can help couples make informed decisions about their fertility journey. Maaeri Fertility & IVF prioritizes patient education and personalized care to enhance success rates.

What is a Fresh Embryo Transfer?

A Fresh Embryo Transfer is a technique that was developed to help women who have difficulty conceiving a baby in their uterus by using the embryo that is created from their eggs and the sperm of their partner.

A fresh embryo transfer occurs during the egg retrieval and fertilization cycle. After fertilization, the resulting embryos are cultured in the lab for a few days (usually 3 to 5 days), and the best-quality embryo is transferred into the uterus. Other viable embryos can also be frozen for future use.

Advantages of Fresh Embryo Transfer:

No delay implantation: As the embryo is transferred in the same cycle, implantation is unnecessary.

Faster conception attempt: This is the option for patients who want to have a conception attempt as quickly as possible.

Fresh transfers: This is suitable for certain patients: women with good hormonal balance and a receptive endometrium at retrieval.

Considerations:

Ovarian response: Women with high ovarian response may be at higher risk of OHSS, and therefore, a fresh transfer may be less advisable.

Stimulation medications: The medications used to stimulate ovulation in IVF can affect the lining of the uterus, which may affect implantation success.

What is a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)?

Frozen embryo transfer means freezing and transferring the embryos in a future cycle. The ovarian stimulation can recover, and the environment is made more natural for implantation.

Advantages of Frozen Embryo Transfer:

Improved implantation rates: FET may also improve because of a more hormonally balanced uterine environment.

Lower risk of OHSS: Postponing the embryo transfer can lower women’s risk of OHSS.

Better endometrial preparation: A prepared uterine lining can improve embryo chances of implanting.

Flexibility: Couples can choose when to have their embryo transferred physically and emotionally.

Considerations:

More time needed: Patients must wait for a subsequent cycle to transfer the frozen embryo, which adds to the IVF timeline.

Cryopreservation process: Modern freezing techniques (vitrification) have excellent embryo survival rates, but embryos do not always survive thawing.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Although several factors are considered while deciding whether to use fresh or frozen embryo transfer, your overall health, ovarian response, endometrial receptivity, and previous IVF outcomes will be the deciding factors. Here at Maaeri Fertility & IVF, our team of experts carefully examines each patient’s case, and personalized treatment is designed to give them the best chance of getting pregnant.

We strive to provide compassionate, evidence-based fertility care, whether you choose a fresh or frozen embryo transfer, to help you achieve your dream of parenthood. If you’re interested in IVF, please schedule a consultation with our specialists today!