Exploring IVF cycles and frozen embryo transfer in our Tulsa fertility clinic
Our Tulsa Fertility center experts understand that infertility treatment is physically and emotionally taxing. For most patients and the partners, embryo transfer is the final step in the IVF cycle. As our patients navigate this journey to parenthood, we want to highlight the process of frozen embryo transfer and why this is such an exciting step in an IVF journey.
How does an IVF cycle work?
Once you and your doctor decide to move forward with an IVF cycle, our team will begin a series of medical processes designed to assist you with achieving a successful pregnancy. First, your physician prescribes fertility medications to regulate your cycle, and we monitor follicle development using blood tests and ultrasounds, until the eggs reach appropriate maturity.
At that time, one of our Tulsa Fertility center experts will perform the egg retrieval, so that the eggs and sperm can be combined by our laboratory professionals. Any resulting embryos are assessed by our embryologists, so that only high-quality embryos are transferred to the uterus, increasing the odds of pregnancy.
There is a two-week waiting period after the embryo transfer, and then you will return to our office for a blood test to confirm a pregnancy.
What happens during the embryo transfer?
Our doctors can perform fresh or frozen embryo transfers. Fresh embryo transfers occur once an embryo reaches the right stage of development in the IVF lab. With fresh embryo transfers, our patients may cryopreserve any remaining embryos for future attempts utilizing frozen embryo transfer.
Frozen embryo transfers happen at a scheduled future date. Prior to this in-office procedure, the selected embryo will be carefully thawed by our embryologists in the lab. Your doctor will insert a catheter through the cervix and into the uterus to transfer the embryo. If the transfer is a success, the embryo will implant within six to 10 days.
Benefits of a frozen embryo transfer vs. fresh embryo transfer
Typically, our Tulsa Fertility center experts encourage frozen embryo transfer over fresh embryo transfer. While fresh embryo transfers have been available for decades, they require additional monitoring due to high levels of fertility medicine and the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Delaying embryo transfer gives a woman’s body time to recover and prepare, so that we can ensure all conditions are just right for an embryo to implant and grow in the uterus.
With frozen embryo transfer, patients can reduce costs, schedule their procedures at more convenient times, and experience less physical discomfort because of fewer fertility medications. Additionally, frozen embryo transfers enable our patients to choose preimplantation genetic testing, or PGT, to assess their embryos’ health.
Having trouble getting pregnant shouldn’t discourage you from creating or expanding your family. The team at Tulsa Fertility Center can offer the unwavering support and medical expertise that you need to achieve your goals for motherhood. Call our office to schedule a consultation appointment.