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How long can embryos be frozen?
If you are not ready to have children now but think you may want to in the future, freezing your embryos can help preserve your fertility, allowing you to try for a family when you feel the time is right. Whether you're in a committed relationship now or think that conception with a donor is the right choice for you, you have options for preserving your fertility.
In the UK, you are able to store your embryos for up to 55 years, giving you plenty of time to make a decision that works for you. However, it is essential to consider the costs associated with storage and the process involved.
What is embryo freezing?
Embryo freezing, also known as embryo cryopreservation, is a preservation treatment , that allows you to have children when you feel ready. The process involves freezing healthy embryos using a technique called vitrification. These embryos are then stored in nitrogen liquid at a laboratory. When you feel ready to start a family, you can use your frozen embryo for different types of fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
It is important to know that embryo freezing doesn’t guarantee a successful pregnancy. However, it allows you to preserve your fertility, giving you the chance to have children in the future.
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Why should you freeze your embryos?
There are different reasons you might choose to freeze your embryos. For example, if you are undergoing medical treatments, like chemotherapy, that could impact your fertility, preserving your embryos can protect them while you undergo treatment. This can help increase your chances of conceiving in the future.
Additionally, if you are still contemplating whether to start a family, freezing embryos allows you more time to make a decision that is right for you. If you ultimately decide not to have children, you have the option to donate the embryos for someone else's treatment or research purposes.
Benefits of freezing embryos
The main benefit of freezing embryos is that you can preserve your fertility, giving you the option of having children when you feel ready. Whether you are focusing on your career or not ready for parenthood, freezing your embryos can give you additional time to make that decision.
Additionally, freezing embryos enables individuals to undergo genetic testing, which can help reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and miscarriages.
It is essential to know, you can freeze embryos for up to 55 years, but you will need to renew your consent every ten years. Therefore, if you are uncertain about having children, this will give you ample time to make an informed decision.
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Factors affecting embryo viability
Several factors can affect embryo viability. For instance, the environment in which the embryos are cultured plays an important part. This includes factors such as temperature and exposure to light. As a result, hospitals and clinics follow strict guidelines when developing embryos in the laboratory.
Moreover, the patient's age and lifestyle can affect the number of healthy eggs produced, which can impact the quality of the embryos. However, rest assured this will be discussed during your consultation.
Deciding on how long to store embryos for
When deciding how long to store your embryos, it's important to consider certain factors.
In the UK, the law permits you to store embryos for up to 55 years. With this, you'll also need to think about the associated costs and whether storing them is financially feasible. It is important to keep in mind that freezing embryos does not guarantee a future pregnancy; however, we estimate approximately 90% of eggs and embryos survive the freezing process.
Additionally, if you are preparing for medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, you may want to store your embryos until your treatment is complete. Therefore, the duration of storage will depend on the length of your treatment.
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Beginning your fertility journey with TFP
Whether you are thinking of freezing your embryos or have concerns about your fertility, contact our patient support team today to schedule a consultation with our fertility experts.
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