Best Embryo Freezing Treatment in Mumbai

What is an Embryo?

An embryo is the earliest stage of human development, formed when a sperm successfully fertilizes an egg. In assisted reproductive treatments, forming healthy embryos is a key step before pregnancy can occur.

In IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), mature eggs collected from the female ovaries are placed in a petri dish and mixed with active male sperm. Fertilization occurs naturally in the lab when a sperm penetrates the egg. The resulting embryos are then monitored for their growth and quality.

In ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), embryologists take a more advanced approach by selecting a single, healthy sperm and injecting it directly into each egg using a microneedle. This technique is especially useful when sperm count, motility, or morphology is very low.

In both methods, once fertilization happens, the embryo develops over 3 to 5 days into stages like cleavage or blastocyst. The best-quality embryo is then chosen for transfer into the uterus to improve the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy either immediately or frozen for later use, depending on treatment plans and medical recommendations.

Who Should Opt for Embryo Freezing?

Aksigen IVF offers the best embryo freezing in Mumbai under the care of well-trained embryologists using safe and advanced technology. Embryo freezing is generally recommended for the following people:

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  Individuals who are undergoing cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, that may affect fertility.
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  Individuals who are planning to take certain medications that may affect their fertility.
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  People having reproduction-related genetic problems.
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  People scheduled to undergo gender affirmation surgery who wish to preserve fertility.
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  Women having a family history of early menopause.
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  Couples who wish to delay pregnancy due to personal or professional reasons.
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  Couples who plan on using frozen embryos for future IVF cycles.
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  Couples planning multiple pregnancies in the future and want genetically related siblings.
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  Couples who want to save IVF costs by preserving the extra embryos obtained through IVF for use in the next IVF cycle.

Methods of Embryo Freezing

There are two primary methods that are used for embryo freezing, including the following:

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  Vitrification: This is the latest technique being used for cryopreservation. In this procedure, the embryos are exposed to cryoprotectants and rapidly cooled to prevent ice crystal formation. This technique ensures higher survival rates after thawing.
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  Slow freezing: It is the traditional method for embryo freezing, where embryos are gradually cooled over several hours after adding cryoprotectant and then stored in liquid nitrogen. Although this method is effective, it has largely been replaced by vitrification due to better outcomes.

Most advanced clinics, including Aksigen IVF, use vitrification for optimal embryo preservation.

Benefits of Embryo Freezing

Embryo freezing offers several key advantages, including the following:

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  Flexible family planning: Couples can choose the ideal time for pregnancy based on health, career, or personal readiness.
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  Higher success rates: Frozen embryo transfers generally help improve implantation because the uterus is prepared in a calmer, more natural cycle.
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  No need for repeat egg retrieval: Stored embryos eliminate the need for repeated ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval procedures, reducing physical and financial strain.
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  Safer treatment cycles: Freezing helps avoid fresh embryo transfers when hormone levels are high or when there is a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation.
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  Backup for future IVF cycles: Extra frozen embryos offer multiple chances in future IVF cycles without starting treatment again.
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  Medical preservation: Embryo freezing is helpful when fertility may be affected by age, endometriosis, or cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

Embryo Freezing Procedure at Aksigen IVF

Aksigen IVF uses a stepwise approach while delivering a safe, painless, and effective embryo freezing procedure in Mumbai. The various steps involved are:

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  Consultation and assessment: The first step is having a fertility consultation, where the fertility doctor will explain the procedure, storage duration, consent, and future options, helping couples make informed decisions.
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  Ovarian stimulation: Hormonal injections are recommended to stimulate egg development. The progress is monitored through ultrasound scans and blood tests to check the follicle growth
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  Egg retrieval: Mature eggs are then collected through a short, minimally invasive procedure.
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  Sperm collection:The male sperm are collected, usually by masturbation.
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  Fertilization:The retrieved eggs are fertilized by the male sperm using IVF or ICSI, depending on the case.
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  Embryo culture:The embryos are grown in the lab for 3 to 5 days until they reach an optimal stage.
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  Cryoprotectant addition:The embryos are prepared using special solutions that prevent ice damage.
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  Vitrification:The embryos are rapidly frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks.
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  Thawing and transfer:When the couple is ready for pregnancy, the frozen embryos are thawed, checked for viability, and transferred into the female uterus.
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  Pregnancy test:Once the embryos are transferred, a pregnancy test is conducted after 10 to 14 days to determine if the procedure led to a successful pregnancy.

Cost of Embryo Freezing in Mumbai

The initial embryo freezing cost in Mumbai generally varies between INR 20,000 to INR 25,000, along with additional annual storage costs. This cost will, however, vary based on multiple factors, such as:

• Reputation and location of the clinic
• Expertise of the fertility specialist
• Annual laboratory charges for storage
• Freezing technique used
• Duration of storage
• Use of advanced technology and equipment
• Cost of initial consultation and tests
• Cost of fertility medications
• Number of IVF cycles required

At Aksigen IVF, an affordable yet effective embryo freezing option is offered to couples to help them conceive without any financial burden, making it among the most trusted embryo freezing centres in Mumbai.

Risks of Embryo Freezing

Although embryo freezing is generally safe and effective, it may be associated with some risks, like:

• Damage during freezing or thawing
• Infection, cramping, bleeding, pain, and damage to reproductive organs during the egg retrieval process
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (hormonal medications resulting in ovarian swelling and pain)
• Pregnancy is not guaranteed
• Multiple pregnancy (if more than one embryo is transferred)
• Complications in pregnancy (rare)

Success Rate of Embryo Freezing in Mumbai

Embryo freezing success rate in Mumbai generally varies between 40% to 50%. The use of advanced vitrification techniques and modern embryo freezing ensures that embryo survival rates and pregnancy rates comparable to fresh embryo transfers.

Many top clinics achieve embryo survival rates of over 90% after thawing. Aksigen IVF reports an overall fertility success rate of more than 50%, supported by a strong embryology team and state-of-the-art lab, making it a reliable choice for frozen embryo transfer cycles.

The success rates will vary based on certain factors, such as:

• Embryo quality
• Age of the woman at the time of freezing
• Clinic’s laboratory standards
• Expertise of the fertility specialists and embryologists
• Storage duration (storage period of more than 10 years will result in lower success rates)

Book your appointment with the fertility experts at Aksigen IVF today to experience quality care at the top embryo freezing clinic in Mumbai and plan your pregnancy at your convenience without any stress!

FAQs

How long can embryos remain frozen?

Embryos can stay frozen for many years without losing quality. Studies show successful pregnancies even after 10 to 15 years of storage. The actual storage duration depends on clinic policies and local regulations, but usually, embryos can remain viable for decades.

Does freezing affect embryo quality?

With the introduction of modern vitrification methods, freezing does not harm embryo quality. Almost all embryos survive the thawing process with excellent developmental potential. Survival rates are high, and outcomes with frozen transfers are usually equal to or better than fresh embryo transfers.

Is the frozen embryo transfer painful?

Frozen embryo transfer is a simple, minimally invasive procedure. Most women feel no pain apart from slight discomfort during the procedure. It usually does not require anesthesia, and normal activities can be resumed soon after the procedure in most cases.

Can embryo freezing affect the baby’s health?

Research shows babies born from frozen embryos are as healthy as those from fresh transfers. There is no increased risk of birth defects or developmental issues. In some studies, frozen transfers are associated with slightly better pregnancy outcomes.

How many embryos should be frozen?

All good-quality embryos not used during the fresh embryo transfer during an IVF cycle are generally frozen. Freezing more embryos provides multiple chances for pregnancy in future cycles without repeating egg retrieval, making the treatment safer and more cost-effective.

Do frozen embryos increase the chance of twins?

The chance of twins depends on the number of embryos transferred, not on whether they are fresh or frozen. Most clinics recommend transferring a single embryo (either fresh or frozen) to reduce risks, but twin pregnancies can occur if multiple embryos are transferred.

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