Following an IVF cycle, there may be enough embryos produced to freeze and store for use in a treatment cycle at a later date. Where this occurs, it gives you the ability to embark on what is known as a frozen embryo transfer cycle, rather than go through a whole new Fresh Cycle.
The advantages are these:
It maximises the chance of a pregnancy from a single stimulated IVF cycle
It reduces the risk of a multiple pregnancy by having fewer embryos transferred at a time
If you ovulate naturally, no drugs are required ~ resulting in a simpler, more natural cycle of treatment
Following egg collection (and only with the patients express consent) Monash IVF will undergo the process of freezing excess embryos by vitrification ~ an ultra rapid freeze method that bypasses ice crystal formation; and consistently results in significant improvements in pregnancy outcomes.
When the embryos are used in a subsequent treatment cycle, blood tests will be needed to time ovulation; and also coordinate the age of your embryos with the development of the lining in the uterus. This ensures that the embryos are transferred into the uterus at the time that the endometrium is most receptive for implantation.
If you have previously had embryos frozen at another clinic, it is an easy process to arrange for the frozen embryos to be transferred to Monash IVF.
