What is Embryo Freezing?
Embryo freezing, or embryo cryopreservation, involves creating embryos through IVF and freezing them for long-term storage. Mature eggs are retrieved, fertilized in the lab, and then frozen at the blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6). These embryos can later be thawed and transferred to the uterus when pregnancy is desired.
Remarkable progress has occurred in recent years for embryo-freezing methods. Relevant equipment and freezing solutions. The new methods involve a new technique of cryopreservation called vitrification. Similar to many leading global clinics, Reproart achieves much higher rates of survival for embryos that have been vitrified.
Vitrification involves incubating embryos in special cryoprotectant solutions, followed by rapid cooling in liquid nitrogen at -196°C.
When is it Recommended?
Embryo freezing is an integral part of IVF. IVF treatment at Reproart typically involves transferring one, or at most two, embryos into the uterus. However, ovarian stimulation often results in the development of more than two embryos from the retrieved oocytes. In such cases, the remaining embryos are cryopreserved (frozen) after transfer.
In some instances, all embryos from a cycle are frozen. This may occur if the doctor determines that the uterus is not optimally prepared for embryo transfer — for example, in cases of elevated progesterone levels or suboptimal endometrial thickness.
In summary, embryo freezing may be recommended when:
- One or two embryos are transferred, and the remaining embryos are preserved for future use
- The uterus is not considered receptive in the current cycle (e.g., due to high progesterone or endometrial concerns)
- Genetic testing (PGT-A) is planned, and embryo transfer will take place after results are available
- Pregnancy is being postponed for personal or medical reasons
- There is a high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- The patient is about to undergo treatments that may impair reproductive function (e.g., chemotherapy)
Success Rates at Reproart
At Reproart, over 98% of frozen blastocysts survive the thawing process, and our clinical pregnancy rate after frozen embryo transfer is approximately 64.5%, based on recent data. In many cases, frozen embryo transfer results in higher success rates than fresh cycles, especially when uterine conditions are optimized in a later cycle.
Reproart’s clinical outcomes using frozen/thawed embryos were presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in Lisbon, Portugal.
Process Overview
1. Initial Consultation
A Reproductive Endocrinologist will review your medical history and help define a personalized treatment plan. If you are single, or a couple using donor gametes (egg or sperm), this will be considered when planning your treatment.
2. Ovarian Stimulation
Hormonal medications are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature follicles. Monitoring is done through ultrasound and blood tests.
3. Egg Retrieval
Once follicles reach the appropriate size, eggs are collected through a minimally invasive outpatient intervention. The procedure is guided by transvaginal ultrasound and performed under mild anesthesia.
4. Fertilization & Embryo Culture
Collected eggs are fertilized in the lab using partner or donor sperm. Embryos are then cultured for 3–6 days and assessed for development and quality.
5. Embryo Biopsy & PGT-A (Optional)
Few cells are biopsied from the embryo – from the trophectoderm at the blastocyst stage for Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) before freezing.
6. Vitrification and Storage
Embryos are cryopreserved using vitrification—ultra-rapid cooling with cryoprotectants to avoid ice crystal formation—and stored in liquid nitrogen at −196°C under strict monitoring.
Use of Frozen Embryos
Frozen embryos can be used in future IVF attempts without repeating stimulation or egg retrieval.
Embryos can be thawed and transferred to the uterus of the intended mother or to a surrogate (following specific legal procedures).
In 2007, the first baby born from a frozen embryo transfer in Georgia was delivered thanks to the medical team that would later become Reproart
Contact Personal Manager
Make an appointment or request more information. Leave your contact details and our team will get in touch with you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We know that fertility care often brings up many questions — and that every journey is different. Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions our patients ask.
Can I use my frozen embryos several years after they were created?
Yes. Embryos frozen using vitrification remain viable for many years when stored under proper cryogenic conditions. According to Georgian law, embryos can be stored for up to 10 years and used at any time within this period.
Can embryos be transferred to a surrogate?
Yes. Embryos frozen at Reproart may be transferred to a surrogate once legal and medical steps are completed.
What happens if I don’t use my frozen embryos within the storage period?
You’ll be contacted to decide whether to extend storage, donate, or discontinue storage with proper consent.
