SUMMARY: Frozen embryo transfer cycle (or cryotransfer) is the embryo–transfer cycle that involves dual–staged protocol: (1) an embryo thawing technique is used to thaw the earlier vitrified embryos, and (2) the embryonic content is comprehensively investigated after the thawing procedure, the embryonic “portfolios” are designed for choosing the top–quality embryos for the further actual embryo transfer that is performed shortly after the embryo thawing procedure.
PRICE: Cryo–transfer package: Price on Request.
BASIC PACKAGE FEE COVERS:
THE TIME FRAME: 5 days — 10 days.
More information about cryotransfer cycle.
Frozen embryo transfer cycle or cryotransfer cycle is the most “compact” cycle ever in the IVF. Compact because it is performed in the shortest time frame. It is also non–invasive as there is no oocyte pick–up that requires anesthesia. The embryos that were vitrified for the further embryo transfers are thawed (warmed) and transferred to the patient’s uterus. The other option to have cryotransfer cycle is to thaw the earlier vitrified oocytes (that were collected during egg freezing cycle), fertilize them with the partner’s or donor’s sperm (conventionally, with ICSI technique or IMSI technique), and perform embryo culturing (in case if there were no embryos and only oocytes).
The Patient’s uterus (endometrium) is prepared with hormonal medications for the actual embryo transfer (to boost the embryo implantation chances) before its performance.
Usually, the embryos are warmed (thawed) on the same day as the actual embryo transfer. The embryo transfer process is the same as the fresh embryo transfer process: without anesthesia (as the procedure is not invasive and painless).
STEP 1 | CONSULTATION with FIV Marbella Fertility Expert.
During the consultation, your fertility expert will draft your cryotransfer cycle (endometrium preparation protocol (pre–embryo–transfer protocol), the list of meds for endometrium preparation, and pre–schedule the actual embryo transfer “event.” Ultrasound scans can be also pre–scheduled and done (for visual management of your endometrium preparation). The blood tests can be pre–scheduled to measure your hormonal levels. Plus, the blood tests can “show” if your endometrium is ready for the actual embryo transfer or not.
STEP 2 | Preparation for cryo–transfer.
You will use estrogen patches and vaginal progesterone tablets to prepare your uterus for the embryo transfer. This blend of hormonal medications is prescribed prior to actual embryo transfer. The time frame for endometrium preparation is usually a few days. The endometrium preparation will be monitored by your FIV Marbella fertility expert. When your endometrium is ready for the embryo transfer, the embryo thawing will be prescheduled.
STEP 3 | Embryo thawing.
Earlier vitrified embryos will be thawed (warmed) on the day of embryo transfer (ET), two/three/four days after the start of progesterone medications, depending on embryo development stages. The embryologists will track the embryos’ quality as it is the leading indicator for the embryos that are the most powerful to implant in the womb after being transferred there.
*STEP 4 | Embryo transfer procedure.
Embryo transfer is not–invasive technique that is performed in the shortest time frame you have ever imagined. An approximate embryo transfer timeline is 5 minutes. The embryo is “launched” into the flexible catheter suitable for embryo transfer that is inserted in the uterus and transferred there in one “go.”
In two weeks after the embryo transfer, the blood pregnancy test is done (hCG — Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone indicates that the pregnancy is achieved). If the blood pregnancy test is positive, the early monitoring ultrasound will be scheduled to detect the embryo cardiac activity and to confirm the clinical pregnancy.