I had 9 eggs retrieved in my first IVF cycle, 7 fertilised and we ended up with 4 blastocysts. My clinic said they would be frozen, but I honestly didn’t realise there were different ways of doing embryo storage until I started reading about vitrification and liquid nitrogen. Now I’m getting paranoid about whether the storage method actually makes a difference to the embryos long term. Are embryos usually stored in liquid nitrogen at around -196°C? And is vitrification basically the standard method now, or are some clinics still using slow freezing? I’m probably overthinking this, but after going through all of this I really don’t want something as basic as storage to be overlooked.
-196 degrees still sounds unreal to think about, that's where your 4 blastocysts are right now! Did your clinic actually confirm vitrification or just say frozen?
I wondered about this too! Once embryos are frozen, their development basically pauses while they’re stored in liquid nitrogen. When you’re ready, they’re carefully thawed and checked before transfer. I find it really comforting to know they can be safely preserved like that until the time feels right. ❤️
Yeah pretty sure vitrification's what they used, most places do now. Honestly didnt even ask mine for exact numbers, just trusted them with it. Maybe give the clinic a quick call if ur still worried, settled my head a bit when I did.
Embryos that have been frozen are usually frozen using a technique known as vitrification, where they are frozen extremely quickly so as to avoid ice crystal formation, which would be detrimental to the embryo’s survival. The embryos are then placed in liquid nitrogen, at very low temperatures, such that the development process of the embryos is suspended. When you are ready to have your embryos transferred into your uterus, the embryo will be thawed, and its viability tested.