KKIVF Centre - Treatments and Services

Embryo Cryopreservation (Embryo freezing)

Embryos that are products of an In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and/or Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) cycle may be frozen to allow the couple to use the embryos from one IVF/ICSI cycle for future transfer to the uterus without the need to repeat another ovarian stimulation cycle.

The following are some instances for embryo cryopreservation:

1. In fresh IVF/ICSI cycles where there is an excess of embryos. Freezing embryos may allow a couple opportunities to get pregnant in future without going through another fresh IVF/ICSI cycle

2. In a patient whose ovaries are overstimulated during an IVF cycle, embryo transfer in the same cycle may not be safe as it can lead to Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). By freezing the embryos, it allows the embryos to be transferred into the patient’s uterus at a later time when it is safe to do so

3. In couples where either spouse is about to undergo cancer treatment, embryos may be frozen for future use

For More Information:

• Information Sheet on Embryo Cryopreservation