Other potential laboratory procedures

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)

PGT for genetic disease (PGT-M) can be used to find if embryos from IVF carry the gene for genetic disease, such as cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. It may also be used to find if the embryo has chromosome abnormalities. 

This can be done before embryos are transferred to the uterus. It is offered to people who have a high risk of having a child with a severe genetic disease or chromosomal disorder. The care team will talk with you more about this.

Embryo cryopreservation (freezing)

Blastocyst stage embryos can be frozen. Blastocyst stage embryos, of good quality, can be preserved through cryopreservation. They are stored for future transfers. Genetic and fetal abnormalities risks are the same with frozen and fresh embryos. The cost of a frozen transfer is much less than repeating a fresh embryo cycle and transfer. 

The embryo cryopreservation fee includes the cost of 2 years of embryo storage. After 2 years, you will be charged for storage.

Estrogen tablets and progesterone shots are used before a standard frozen transfer. The goal is to transfer to a uterus synchronized with the age of the embryos. The date of transfer is decided by the IVF nursing team.

About 90 out of 100 embryos cryopreserved at the blastocyst stage survive freezing and thawing. The transfer of frozen embryos is the same as for fresh.