Creating embryos can be done with sperm from a partner or donor. If you are considering using donor sperm, you may like to ask your fertility clinic if this is a service they offer.

Making frozen embryos

This follows a similar process to egg freezing however after eggs are collected, they are fertilised with sperm, and then frozen as embryos.

The process involves:

• Daily hormone injections for about 2 weeks to help mature your eggs. Other medications might be needed too.
• A minor surgery is then done to collect as many eggs as possible from your ovaries.
• Egg and sperm are added together to try and create embryos. This may involve using ICSI. For more information about ICSI, click here.
• Some embryos are likely to be discarded if they do not grow well.
• The rest of the embryos will be frozen and stored.

You can also choose to freeze some of the eggs you collect unfertilised as well.

Using your embryos

Frozen embryos will be thawed, and if healthy placed into the womb. It is hoped that a pregnancy is then achieved.

You may need to take hormones to prepare your womb for embryo transfer. However, it can also be done in a natural cycle where no hormones are used. Your fertility specialist will discuss with you the best approach at that time.

Chances of embryo freezing working

Let’s say you collect 10 eggs (50, 51):

• About 4-5 of those eggs will fertilise and become embryos.
• These embryos will then be frozen and stored.
• If you decide to use your frozen embryos, almost all are likely to survive thawing.
• 1-2 of those thawed embryos may result in having a baby.

This is a general example, and outcomes will be different for everyone. A fertility specialist will be able to give you more personalised advice.

Your chances of having a baby from frozen embryos will depend on:

• Your age when embryos are frozen.
• The number and quality of your frozen embryos.
• Other factors such as the quality of sperm used to fertilise your eggs.

What costs are involved?

The cost of embryo freezing varies across clinics. It will be more than an egg freezing as embryos need to be made before they are frozen. You will need to consider the costs for consultations, cycles, storage, and donor sperm (if you plan to use it).

Talk to a fertility clinic for pricing estimates and ask about possible reimbursements available through Medicare and private health insurance.

Are there any other issues?

Embryos made with a male partner can only be used if both partners agree. If a couple separates, it may still be possible to use the frozen embryos if one partner donates them to the other. This does not apply if embryos are made using donor sperm.

The length of time frozen embryos can be stored varies between Australian states/territories. Talk to a fertility clinic about their storage terms and your options available after this time.

Frozen embryos which are not used can be discarded, or donated to another woman or research.

Where can I have this done?

The first step is to ask a GP for a referral to a fertility clinic.
The Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand has a list of accredited fertility clinics within Australia. You can ask your selected clinic about the services they have available (e.g. embryo freezing, donor sperm facilities etc).

Here are some pros and cons about embryo freezing you may want to consider.

Pros

• Provides more time to be in a better position to have a baby.
• Reduces the risk of problems occurring with older eggs.
• An opportunity to have a blood-related child.
  
• One step further along in the IVF process compared to freezing eggs.

Cons

• Potential inconvenience, health risks, and side effects from embryo freezing cycles.
• Shared ownership of frozen embryos (if made with sperm from a partner).
• May not fit religious or ethical values.
• Unused embryos will eventually need to be discarded or donated.