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Having a child
Frozen Embryo Transfer
Frozen Embryo Transfer
During your IVF/ICSI cycle, we usually create more embryos than will be transferred to your uterus. If there are good-quality embryos that meet the criteria for preservation after the transfer of your best embryos, our embryologists will cryopreserve them. The method consists of using the vitrification technique to freeze your embryos, which will be stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at -196ºC. In Portugal, these embryos can be cryopreserved for a period of three years, which is renewable for another equal period.
Frozen embryos can be thawed and transferred at any time in a future treatment. If they are still of good quality and properly developed after thawing, they can be transferred to your uterus. This means it is not necessary to repeat the whole hormone stimulation and egg collection process involved in an IFV or ICSI cycle. These treatments also have the advantage of guaranteeing success rates similar to cycles with fresh embryos.
Your treatment step by step
1 – Tests and exams
If you decide to go through with a frozen embryo transfer (FET), your physician will ask you to take some tests and exams which are needed to assess your clinical status. The exams may include a gynaecological ultrasound, hormone tests or infectious disease screening.
If everything is all right, your FET treatment is ready to begin and we will be able to start it at any time suitable to you. If you undergo an FET cycle, there will be a four-to-five-week period between the start of treatment and your pregnancy test.
2 – Hormonal preparation of the uterus
Preparation for a FET cycle is very simple. All you have to do is take hormone medication (oestrogens), usually starting at the beginning of your menstrual cycle. A few days before your embryo transfer your physician will also prescribe you progesterone. This is also a hormone that will prepare your uterus to receive the embryos after they are have been thawed.
3 – Embryo thawing
Our embryologists will thaw your embryos a few days before the transfer. The procedure can take place on the same day as the transfer if your embryos were cryopreserved in the blastocyst stage.
At this time, our embryologists will decide how many embryos they will have to thaw to enhance your chances of getting pregnant. Sometimes, it is necessary to thaw more embryos than those that will be transferred so that they can choose the best ones.
4 – Embryo culture
The culture period can last from one to three days. During this period, the embryos will be safe in our lab. Our embryologists will ensure that they are in ideal condition for development. They will assess each embryo carefully every day to ensure that the best embryo(s) are selected on the day of your transfer.
While your embryos are being cultured in the lab you will be taking medication to help prepare your uterus to receive the embryos. It is very important for you to keep taking this medication until your physician or one of our nurses tells you otherwise.
5 – Embryo transfer
On the day of your embryo transfer, our embryologists will inform you how many good-quality developing embryos you have. If there are more good-quality embryos developing than the ones you want to transfer, our embryologists may cryopreserve them again for future use.
The transfer procedure is performed in an operating theatre. No anaesthesia is necessary in this case, as it is practically pain-free, much like a gynaecological examination. The embryos are transferred to your uterus via the cervix by means of a very thin catheter. With the aid of an ultrasound probe, your embryos are deposited directly in the place where they should implant and result in a pregnancy.
6 – Pregnancy test
Today’s the day! After what we know is a difficult wait, it’s time to do the long-awaited pregnancy test. The test is normally conducted about two weeks after you start taking progesterone. You will have to take a blood test to confirm your pregnancy. You can take the test in the comfort of the AVA Clinic though, if this is not convenient, you can do it at any lab testing facility.
The AVA Clinic team wishes you the best of luck with your treatment. And don’t forget that you can contact us at any time if you have any questions. Just call (+351) 213 245 000 or email us at info@avaclinic.pt. If necessary, you can always get help from one of our nurses on our emergency line (+351) 934 158 700.