Some infertile couples are now using donated frozen embryos to start their family.
What Is Frozen Embryo Donation?
Embryo donation is when the previously frozen embryo from another couple is donated to you to use in an IVF cycle.
Sometimes if the couple has already had children and they have 'left over' frozen embryos in storage that they don't wish to destroy, they have the option of offering them to others affected by infertility. The only other options for frozen embryos which aren't used are to allow them to perish or to use them for medical research, usually stem cell research.
There are still drug therapies involved in frozen embryo transfer in order to prepare the lining of the womb for implantation but there are fewer drugs needed than in regular IVF, making it an ideal treatment for someone who is sensitive to drugs, and it is also more economical than standard IVF.
Who Are Suitable Candidates For Receiving A Donated Frozen Embryo?
- Those where the infertility problems are in both partners, for instance, where the man has a low sperm count and the woman does not ovulate.
- Where the woman has suffered with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and cannot undergo any more egg stimulation.
- Where the woman has another condition which would contraindicate drug stimulation, for instance, depression.
- Those with a family history of genetic disorders and/or a previous child with an inherited fatal condition
- Those with previous ICSI treatments that have failed.
How Do I 'Adopt' A Frozen Embryo?
Most fertility clinics offer the option of using another couple's frozen embryos. Just ask your consultant to see if this would be available to you.
The Treatment
Prior to the implantation of the embryo, you will have to have drugs to prepare your womb for the transfer to ensure the most ideal conditions for implantation. These are called Gonadotropin Releasing Hormones Agonist Exogenous Estradiol Progesterone (GEEP). You will also be given ultrasound scans to determine the best time to do the transfer.
After the embryo has been thawed, it will be transferred to the womb via a fine catheter and you will be asked to lie still for a few minutes. This is usually a relatively painless procedure. Any fertility medications you have been taking, you will have to continue taking. Twelve days after the transfer, your consultant will then do a blood test to determine whether or not you are pregnant.
Success Rates
It should be noted that around 30% of frozen embryos die when they are thawed out; however, around 30% of couples get a positive pregnancy test afterwards, and of those, up to 21% have a viable pregnancy. The Wessex Fertility Clinic in the UK has a 21.7% success rate, although this varies according to the clinic.
