Embryo Transfer: Fresh vs Frozen - Which is better?

While fertility treatments have advanced extensively across the globe, with newer technologies and medicines making their successful foray into this birth-giving domain housed by healthcare, one hot debate is still being pursued by many - whether a fresh embryo transfer is more successful than a frozen transfer?

So let’s dive into a little bit of detail on how both Fresh Embryo Transfers and Frozen Embryo Transfer procedures work.

Fresh Embryo Transfers

A trigger injection is given to the patient after 7 to 14 hours of stimulation to aid the eggs in reaching their destination. A reproductive endocrinologist will then retrieve the eggs with sperm, naturally or through a process called ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) after 36 hours. Five days after the egg retrieval, which is a phase known as the blastocyst phase, the fresh embryo transfer will take place.

Live birth rates (LBR) following a fresh embryo transfer depend partly on patient age. According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART)'s 2016 report, the LBR was 36.7 percent for women under 35, 26.6 percent for women 35-37, 15.6 percent for women 38-40, and 9.3 percent for women 41 and older.

Frozen Embryo Transfer Procedure A process more simple and relaxing for both the patient and the endocrinologist - Frozen Embryo Transfer Treatment is succeeded by a priming phase which is again followed by a baseline appointment. In order for the patient to develop the uterine lining, some medications are usually prescribed and their effects are further monitored using a transvaginal ultrasound. In this procedure, the hormone levels of the patient are allowed some time to return to normal as it gets enough time after the medication has finished. This is an advantage as this time helps the baby go through a more natural conception.

And hence, various studies from around the world say that an IVF using Frozen Embryo Transfer Treatment has more chances of having a natural impact on a baby than Fresh Embryo Transfer. Some of the advantages are:

· Increased implantation rates

· Increased ongoing pregnancy rates

· Increased live birth rates

· Decreased miscarriage rates

· Lowered risk of preterm labour

· Healthier babies

Thus, as the studies and data suggest, embryo freezing or a frozen embryo transfer is a more successful procedure than a fresh embryo transfer as it helps the doctors ensure that the child is born healthy and under near-normal conditions.