Hey there! If you’re curious about the latest in embryo freezing, you’re in the right spot. Since starting our vitrification journey back in 2007, we’ve made some impressive strides. We’ve now completed over 600 warming cycles, and let me tell you, vitrification is becoming a go-to method for preserving those extra embryos after a fresh transfer.
We’re constantly refining our technique, which is leading to better success rates. Last year, we rolled out a cool tweak in our process: we can now drain the fluid from the cavity of a blastocyst before we freeze it. You see, blastocysts, which are embryos that are about 5 to 6 days old, often have big fluid-filled cavities that can slow down the cryoprotectant from entering the cells. This can affect how well the embryo survives the freezing process. By creating a small opening between two outer cells, we can get that cavity to collapse before vitrifying, making a noticeable difference in our outcomes.
So far, from 636 warming cycles, we’ve seen 284 clinical pregnancies, which is about a 45% success rate across all ages. If we zoom in on younger patients under 35, that number jumps to 54% with just an average of 1.7 embryos transferred. In the 36-37 age group, the rate dips to 42%, while those in the 38-40 range see a 39% success rate. For those over 40, we have an impressive 35% from 23 transfers. If we look at patients using donor eggs, we’re seeing a 41% success rate from 247 transfers, with even better results for those who had their embryos collapsed.
We’re super excited about these results and are optimistic about continued improvements. In fact, this year alone, we’ve noticed some outstanding outcomes, especially for patients whose embryos were collapsed before freezing. We’re now routinely vitrifying all embryos by day 5 or 6 after retrieval if they’re decent quality blastocysts and collapsing any expanding cavities.
As we want to minimize the risk of multiples, we’re often transferring just one embryo. In our 2009 fresh cycles for patients under 35, 40% of the time we transferred a single embryo, and for those using donor eggs, it was 60%. Thanks to vitrification, many patients are opting for a fresh single transfer, lowering their chances of twins while keeping their frozen embryos available for future use.
For more insights into fertility and related topics, check out our other posts, like this one on home insemination. And if you’re considering methods to assist your journey, the BabyMaker is a great authority on at-home insemination kits. Plus, if you’re looking for in-depth information on IVF and fertility preservation, this Cleveland Clinic podcast is an excellent resource!
In summary, our vitrification process is showing promising results, and we’re excited to see how it continues to help many families. We’re committed to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood, one step at a time.