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WHAT IS EMBRIO FREEZE?
Embryo freezing is the combination of eggs taken from the mother-to-be and the sperms taken from the father-to-be in a laboratory environment. It is the process of freezing fertilized eggs at the stage of development in 2,3,4,5 and 6 days.
In order to reach this stage, the expectant mother should use egg-enhancing drugs at different times. Thanks to these drugs, more eggs can be obtained from the female partner, whose 1 or 2 eggs normally grow. The sperm of the male partner is injected into each of these eggs by microinjection method. We no longer call the formed substance an egg, but an embryo, that is, a baby candidate.
In order to perform the embryo freezing process, the day of egg collection is called day 0. Embryos created can be kept alive in the laboratory for up to 6 days. These embryos can be frozen on any of these days. In other words, vital activities can be suspended temporarily.
Frozen embryos are resuscitated when needed. After a short-term treatment consisting of the preparation of the uterine layer, it is placed into the uterus.
HOW IS EMBRYO FREEZE MADE? HOW TO MAKE A TRANSFER TO THE MOTHER-TO-BE?
Until the 2000s, embryo freezing was performed with slow freezing, that is, slow embryo freezing technique. In this discontinued method, the return rate of frozen embryos was low. Due to its high cost, the desired efficiency could not be obtained as much as the method used today.
In the future, Embryo Freezing process has been started to be performed with the rapid freezing (Vitrification) technique.
The answer to the question of how to transfer to the expectant mother is directly related to the uterine layer. It should not be forgotten that no matter how high the embryo quality is, the frozen embryo will be brought to the uterus after thawing. The readiness of the uterine layer at this meeting directly affects the pregnancy rate.
For this purpose, when frozen embryo transfer will be made, gynecological examination is performed on the 2nd day of the expectant mother’s menstrual period in order to control the formation of cysts. In cases where there is no obstacle to the frozen embryo transfer treatment after the examination, a drug to improve the uterine layer is given. It is aimed to expand the uterine layer by controlling it at certain periods.
After the examinations, the transfer day is determined in accordance with the day the embryo was frozen. The thawed embryos are placed in the uterus.
What is Embryo Freezing with Vitrification?
It is a state-of-the-art vitrification method in embryo freezing processes that are being applied around the world. It literally means “freezing by vitrification” in English. In this technique, a glass-like structure is created around the embryo by using different liquids with multiple properties. Instant freezing is done.
The vitrification technique is a state-of-the-art freezing method used for freezing eggs and embryos. With the specially produced freezing solutions, a rapid decrease in temperature is ensured and the liquid inside the cell is released out of the cell. It is replaced by a liquid called cryopretectan. Then the egg/embryo is taken into a liquid nitrogen tank at -196 degrees. The process is completed in a total of 6-7 minutes. Compared to the old technique, the freezing time is shorter and the survival rate after thawing reaches 99%.
IN WHICH SITUATIONS EMBRYO FREEZING IS MADE?
Considering how difficult the embryos are created, the importance of embryo freezing increases even more.
So in which cases is the embryo frozen? If we list the answer to this question under headings;
- In case of remaining embryos after IVF treatment
- Due to the current regulation, a maximum of 1 or 2 embryos can be transferred to the expectant mother.
- Due to the increase in blood values to reduce the pregnancy rate
- The uterine layer does not reach the desired thickness and smoothness,
- The possibility of the occurrence of a condition called OHSS syndrome,
- Presence of polyps, fibroids, curtain-like structures in the uterus that will prevent transfer,
- Embryo freezing is often performed in cases where uterine resting treatment is to be tried.
A maximum of two embryos can be transferred to expectant mothers.
If the number of healthy embryos obtained in IVF treatments is more than one, the remaining embryos are frozen. It is implemented for the purpose of future use.
Frozen embryos are then prepared for the mother-to-be, only the inner endometrium of the uterus. Embryos that show good development as a result of the thawing process on the appropriate day are selected and the transfer process is performed.
Embryo freezing is applied to embryos with the highest chance of pregnancy. Therefore, the success rates in frozen embryo transfer are quite high.
There is no problem in terms of baby health in pregnancies obtained from frozen embryo transfer. It is no different from normal pregnancies.
WHAT ARE FROZEN EMBRYO IT CAN BE STORED FOR A TIME:
Although technically it can be stored for a much longer time, the freezing period of embryos in our country has been determined as 5 years in accordance with the regulation prepared by the Ministry of Health, Reproductive Assistive Techniques Supreme Board. Every year, the couple must come to the center and submit a petition to extend the freezing period of the embryos. In cases where the marriage contract does not continue or one of the couples dies and an extension petition is not submitted, the embryos are destroyed under the control of the health directorates. It is subject to the permission of the ministry to continue to store embryos after 5 periods with extensions. The Ministry of Health easily allows the extension of this period.
HOW BABY HEALTH IS AFFECTED IN EMBRYO FREEZE:
Since embryo freezing is a process that has started to be preferred in recent years, couples cannot help but think about some questions in terms of the baby’s health. There is no risk to the health of the baby born after the embryo freezing process. There is no risk in naturally occurring pregnancies and pregnancies and births that are developed and transferred in a laboratory environment or obtained from the development of frozen embryos.
Opinions and opinions that the risk of miscarriage is high in pregnancies with frozen embryos are wrong. Scientific studies indicate that frozen embryos can be successfully stored for 10-15 years after obtaining the necessary permissions.