Frozen vs. Fresh Embryos: Which Makes Healthier Babies?

Are you considering IVF or freezing your eggs/sperms? Chances are your doctors have already given you the complete rundown for how it is all going to go. But it is natural to think which one will give you a higher chance of success?

Will it be frozen or fresh embryos? Both methods are highly successful, but it depends on crucial factors such as age and lifestyle factors.

The following sections will help you understand your IVF options with frozen vs. fresh embryos clearly. Helping you make an informed decision by the end of the blog.

Frozen vs. Fresh Embryos - What is the Difference?

Understanding the difference between frozen embryo vs fresh transfer is important to appreciating the unique advantages they provide.

1. Fresh embryo transfer: This is the traditional IVF where embryos are transferred into the uterus 3 to 5 days after the egg retrieval and fertilization. This means that the transfer occurs in the same menstrual cycle where ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval and fertilization takes place.

2. Frozen embryo transfer: With a frozen embryo transfer, embryos are frozen (cryopreserved) after retrieval and fertilization. Then, it is thawed and transferred in a subsequent menstrual cycle.

Fresh Embryo Transfer	Frozen Embryo Transfer
The body is still recovering from the stimulation, and retrieval - there can be elevated hormone levels.	The recipient’s body is better recovered from the stimulation and the uterine lining is prepared naturally. There is often no influence of the stimulation hormones.

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Fresh vs Frozen Embryo Success Rates - Experts Weigh In

A longstanding question in the field of reproductive medicine has been frozen vs fresh embryo success rate. Historically, fresh transfers have been the default setting for IVF. The success rates for fresh vs frozen embryo methods are below:

With advanced vitrification techniques (a rapid freezing method), the survival rates of frozen embryos after thawing has been exceeding 90-95%. This helps achieve the higher success rates with frozen embryo transfer.

How are the live birth rates for frozen embryo transfers?

Experts suggest the live birth rates from frozen embryo transfers is comparably higher than fresh embryo transfers.

This is due to the freeze-all strategy that helps the uterus recover from the stimulation, leading to a more “ready” and “healed” uterine environment. This is important for a successful implantation.

Fresh vs. Frozen Embryos: Which Makes Healthier Babies?

Healthier babies are possible with either of the two methods. With the help of meta-analyses and extensive studies the following evidence is clear. There is no significant difference in the presence of birth defects or long-term health outcomes between babies born from fresh.

Both methods yield healthy infants where other studies suggest:

• Babies born from frozen embryo transfers (FET) sometimes have a slightly higher birth weight and a lower risk of born small for gestational age.

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Do babies from frozen embryo transfer have low birth weight?

There is also a lower risk of prematurity and low birth weight in case of frozen embryos. In case of patients with risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome or OHSS, freezing their embryos and performing a FET reduces the risk of OHSS.

This also leads to better pregnancy outcomes for such individuals. They see:

• Lower prematurity rate

• Low birth weight

• Less stress for the maternal system

A shift towards frozen transfers with certain patient groups, especially those undergoing preimplantation genetic testing or are at high risk of OHSS reflects improving success rates and better maternal health.

As understood there is a higher chance of success with frozen embryo transfers, both in case of the child’s health and the maternal health outcomes.

Symptoms After Frozen Embryo Transfer - What to Expect

The period after the embryo transfer can be an anxious time for patients with many trying to interpret every sign. The symptoms after FET are primarily related to the hormonal medications that prepare the uterine lining.

If it is successful then it leads to an early pregnancy. Common symptoms include:

• Mild cramps or pelvic discomfort: A similar sensation to menstrual cramps, it is often due to uterine contractions due to the transfer procedure or hormonal support.

• Bloating: A side effect of a hormone prescribed for maintaining pregnancy, progesterone causes this symptom.

• Spotting or light bleeding: This occurs due to transfer of catheter touching the cervix or also as a sign of implantation.

• Fatigue: Hormonal shifts can cause increased tiredness.

• Tender breasts: Another common symptom related to rising progesterone levels.

Note: These symptoms are non-specific and do not confirm a successful transfer. many women experience these symptoms regardless of pregnancy, whereas some conceive without such symptoms.

Confirm pregnancy using hCG test instructed by your doctor - typically after 10-14 days of embryo transfer.

How Do I Choose the Right Path for IVF?

There are factors beyond embryo type that influence one’s choice for transfer:

• If patient is at the risk of OHSS, going for the frozen embryo strategy will be better for patient safety.

• Preimplantation Genetic Testing requires freezing the embryos after biopsy - and the transfer can occur in the subsequent cycle after results.

• A uterus not influenced by the high hormone levels is better receptive to implantation than one undergone ovarian stimulation cycle.

• Frozen transfers are more flexible in timing allowing patients to recover from the retrieval step. It also works best for those with busy schedules.

Both fresh and frozen embryo transfers are effective techniques in modern IVF - the choice depends on the individual undergoing the process. Both offer great chances of conception despite temporary symptoms after transfer.

Make an informed choice today with a consultation with the best fertility specialists from across the world!