Freezing and Thawing Embryos at Boston IVF

When it comes to fertility treatments, the ability to freeze and thaw embryos is one of the most incredible advancements in reproductive technology. This process allows patients to pause their fertility journey while preserving high-quality embryos for future use. But what exactly happens during freezing and thawing, and how do we ensure your embryos are safe throughout the process? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of cryopreservation at Boston IVF.

The Freezing Process: Stopping Time with Liquid Nitrogen

At Boston IVF, we freeze eggs, embryos, and sperm using liquid nitrogen, which is incredibly cold—so cold, in fact, that it stops all metabolic processes. At temperatures of approximately -196°C (-320°F), development essentially pauses. The metabolic activity that would normally sustain the embryo’s development comes to a complete halt, allowing it to be preserved indefinitely without any degradation, provided the storage tanks remain secure and stable. 

Our embryologists take great care when working with these frozen materials. Once an embryo is removed from its tank for use, it remains under liquid nitrogen the entire time until it’s ready to be thawed. This ensures the embryo stays at the correct temperature and is not exposed to damaging conditions. 

Why Is It Important to Collapse the Embryo Before Freezing?

One of the challenges of freezing living cells is the formation of intracellular ice crystals, which are damaging. You’ve probably noticed that when water freezes, it expands, and ice crystals form. In the case of cells, these ice crystals can puncture and damage the delicate structures within the embryo. 

Thawing the Embryo: A Delicate Process

The thawing process is just as critical as freezing. Once an embryo is ready to be thawed, it is removed from the liquid nitrogen bath and placed into a specially prepared thawing solution. Timing is everything in this process—once the embryo is placed in the thawing solution, it can only remain there for a specific amount of time, just one minute.  

Because embryos are microscopic, our embryologists are experts in locating and handling these tiny life forms, ensuring that they are handled with the utmost care. 

Ensuring the Best Conditions for Your Embryos

Throughout both freezing and thawing, it’s essential that embryos are kept in the right conditions, which is why they are always kept covered in a special solution during thawing. The tools we use are designed to keep the embryo submerged and protected at all times, preventing any exposure to harmful conditions that could impact their viability. 

A Bright Future with Cryopreservation

The ability to freeze and thaw embryos opens up so many possibilities for individuals and couples on their fertility journey. It gives patients flexibility, allowing them to preserve high-quality embryos for future use, whether it’s for a subsequent IVF cycle or for family planning down the road.

At Boston IVF, we take every precaution to ensure that your embryos are handled with the greatest care. From meticulously maintaining liquid nitrogen tanks to using precise thawing techniques, our goal is to safeguard your embryos every step of the way, providing you with the best chance of success when you’re ready to use them.

If you have any questions about the freezing or thawing process, we’re always here to help. Understanding the science behind these techniques can give you peace of mind as you move forward on your fertility journey.