Whether you wish to successfully fertilise eggs now for future use or freezing excess embryos to extend your family further, freezing your embryos is becoming an increasingly popular fertility preservation option.
Whether you wish to successfully fertilise eggs now for future use or freezing excess embryos to extend your family further, freezing your embryos is becoming an increasingly popular fertility preservation option.
During IVF or ICSI treatment, you may produce a number of good quality embryos and it’s possible to freeze any excess embryos for future use without the need to undergo another IVF cycle. This can be a good safeguard in case IVF treatment is unsuccessful initially or you wish to add to your family.
Single women or couples who are not yet ready to start their family or wish to preserve their fertility before embarking on medical treatment, for example, can also freeze their embryos as a standalone process.
Once you’re ready to use your frozen embryos, they are thawed and if they are still of good quality, we will follow the final stage of in vitro fertilisation and prepare you for implantation.
How successful is embryo freezing?
It’s important to be aware that not all embryos survive the freezing and thawing process. Success rates are approximately 80%, however these are continually improving and are strongly related to the stage of development and quality of the embryos when they were frozen.
How long can my embryos be stored for?
The law permits for the storage of gametes or embryos for any period up to a maximum of 55 years from the date that the gametes or embryos were first placed in storage. However, this is only possible if the necessary consent is provided, maintained, and not withdrawn. The consent requirements for storing gametes and embryos for up to a maximum of 55 years varies upon the intended purpose for storage and subsequent treatment use. Please discuss your own individual requirements with the clinic before providing consent to storing gametes or embryos.
What can I do with embryos that are no longer required?
At this point, you can discard the embryos or they can be used in invaluable fertility research or for the training of embryologists. Alternatively, they can be donated to someone else and, for many couples or individuals, donated embryos are their only chance of having a baby.
When you are ready and the time is right for you, the next step is to contact us and we will help you arrange a face-to-face, telephone or video-call introduction with one of our consultants.
You can do this by filling in the contact form below or by giving one of our friendly team a call on +44 (0) 203 263 6025.
We really look forward to getting to know you and helping guide those next steps toward your dream family.
Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm
8 Welbeck Way London W1G 9YL
