If you want to preserve your ability to become a parent in the future, freezing embryos is a viable option. At the California Center for Reproductive Health, our team of expert providers are available to counsel you about this safe and effective procedure, which can give you a good chance of having a baby in the future.
About embryo freezing
An embryo is a fertilized egg, which develops into a fetus. In order to get embryos, a doctor takes sperm from the man and eggs from the woman and puts them together in a laboratory environment. The resulting embryos are then frozen.
During embryo freezing ― also called cryopreservation ― an embryo’s development is literally suspended. Cell growth only resumes when the embryo is thawed and implanted into the woman’s uterus.
No matter the method used, frozen embryos are effectively suspended in time. All biological activity within the embryo is stopped, including cell growth.
Why store an embryo?
Many couples store embryos to preserve their ability to become pregnant in the future. The motivation may be due to a number of reasons. Among the common reasons are the following:
Cancer treatment
A woman or man in a relationship may be starting cancer treatment that could affect fertility. Freezing embryos means they can still become parents in the future. If you or your partner has a medical condition that may interfere with future fertility, embryo freezing is an option.
Aging
Women and men experience a decline in fertility as they age. A woman’s fertility dramatically drops after age 35. A man’s fertility doesn’t drop as quickly, but it does decline. If you’re not ready to have children right now, but you want a family in the future ― in your late 30s or later ― freezing embryos now can make it more likely that you’ll be able to get pregnant.
Military deployment
If you need to delay having a family due to traveling for work, military duty, or other reasons, freezing embryos can give you an opportunity to still contribute to your family once life calms down.
Donation
You may choose to provide frozen embryos to another infertile couple. This can enable other people to become parents if they aren’t able to overcome their infertility issues.
If you’re interested in exploring your options for overcoming infertility or preserving your ability to have a family in the future, book an appointment online or over the phone with the California Center for Reproductive Health today.
