Embryo Cryopreservation: Freezing for Future Fertility

In the last decade, embryo cryopreservation has gained popularity for several good reasons. People are now getting their embryos fertilised to freeze for a future pregnancy. Both singles and couples are choosing this option and planning their life and parenthood in the long term.

If you are also considering embryo cryopreservation, Bliss Fertility is here to help you simplify the process. Continue reading to get a clear breakdown of how this science works and what the future advantages you can expect.

What Exactly is Embryo Cryopreservation?

In simple terms, embryo cryopreservation is about freezing embryos for future fertility plans. It takes place after an egg is fertilised with sperm, and the embryos are then stored in liquid nitrogen. This is not the same as freezing eggs or sperm alone. You are already preserving an already viable embryo and not an unfertilized cell.

For freezing, the embryos are created during IVF cycles. Couples who are experiencing delayed parenthood often choose this path. It helps in preserving fertility before treatment. The excess high-quality embryos are frozen either to avoid another round of ovarian stimulation or to preserve fertility ahead of chemotherapy or other medical treatments. It gives couples a meaningful buffer before they can plan their next move.

How Does the Embryo Freezing Process Work?

When nature may interrupt your reproductive capabilities, embryo cryopreservation offers a "pause button" for fertility. You can preserve your embryos for the future when the timing is just right. Let's learn how it all works:

Step-by-Step Overview

• It all starts with ovarian stimulation & egg retrieval. The fertility medications stimulate multiple eggs, and once they mature, they are collected via a guided ultrasound needle.
  

• The eggs are further combined with sperm to create embryos (matured until the blastocyst stage).
  

• The embryo freezing method is medically known as Vitrification. It uses cryoprotectants (a protective liquid) and freezes the embryos in milliseconds. It is designed to prevent ice crystals and maximise survival.
  

• Later, the embryos are kept at extremely low temperatures in liquid nitrogen. In simple terms, the time effectively stops, so even after a decade, the embryos remain healthy.
  

Modern embryo cryopreservation offers 90–98% survival rates and strong implantation outcomes, giving you the same hope as fresh transfers, only on your own timeline.

Note: Recently, in July 2025, a 30-year-old embryo resulted in a live birth, setting a new record.

When Should You Think About Freezing Embryos?

Move towards the idea of embryo freezing, if you want to delay parenthood without losing the chances of fertility. You can create and store embryos today in Bliss Fertility for the possibility of having a healthy baby after a few years.

People undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy may lose their chances of fertility. But by freezing their embryos early, they can preserve their chances of becoming a parent later. Below, Dijesh shares her heart touching story-  

“As a Kerala Police officer, my married life has been blessed with 13 happiest years. For a long time, my wife and I had been wanting a baby, and after consulting two leading hospitals and seeing no results, we decided to visit Bliss Fertility in Kottayam." Their unparalleled support and personal attention made us feel incredibly comfortable, and now we are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl”.

When there’s concern about inherited conditions, many couples turn to PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing). They choose embryo freezing to make sure there are the best health markers for later transfer.

What are the Benefits and Limitations of Embryo cryopreservation?

Like any medical procedure, embryo cryopreservation comes with its own set of benefits and limitations:

Embryo Cryopreservation Key Benefits

• Embryo cryopreservation allows you to protect the opportunity to conceive later. It is helpful if you plan parenthood later or life delays it due to any health complications.
  

• Since your embryos are already fertilised, they offer higher implantation and live birth rates.
  

• Since you can freeze embryos now and use them later, you earn flexible timing with reduced burden. Your parenthood can appear when you are mentally and physically ready, saving you from repeating ovarian stimulation.
  

• Frozen embryos have a long shelf-life and reliable outcomes as fresh transfers. Medically, you can keep them for a decade without any risks.
  

Embryo Cryopreservation Limitations

• While freezing embryos is easy today, it is still expensive. The one-time process, along with ongoing storage charges, can hinder the possibilities for many.
  

• Embryo cryopreservation does save chances for a delayed pregnancy, but it isn't the only parameter to guarantee results.
  

• Decisions about unused embryos can become legally challenging. It brings complexities in case the couple separates or has a change of consent in the future.4
  

How Long Can Embryos Be Stored?

In India, you can store your embryos up to 10 years, but no longer. The extension is possible under special circumstances upon request. However, globally, the duration is quite longer, exceeding 30+ years with no side effects on pregnancy or childbirth.

What Is the Success Rate with Frozen Embryos in India?

Frozen embryo transfer (FET) has a strong success rate in India. The live birth outcomes can range from 50-70%. But outcomes also depend upon embryo quality, patients' age, clinic standards, etc. Having high success rate and advanced technology, Bliss fertility is an excellent option to consider freezing embryos.

Conclusion

Embryo cryopreservation is more likely a personal journey that can help decide if it is right or wrong. It can become a meaningful option if you are consciously delaying parenthood or facing any medical treatment that can affect your fertility. Since the process is long-established in India with successful results most of the time, you can take this intentional step and make a confident decision. Call Now

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