At MCRM Fertility, helping you build your family often involves planning ahead. When you have frozen embryos ready, a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle gives you the opportunity to use them, whether you’re expanding your family after a successful pregnancy or moving forward after a previous IVF cycle.
Understanding Frozen Embryo Transfer
Frozen embryo transfer, often shortened to FET, is a fertility treatment that uses embryos developed during an earlier IVF cycle. These embryos are cryopreserved and stored safely until you’re ready to use them. A frozen embryo transfer is required when embryo testing is utilized, such as PGT-A and/or PGT-M. FET offers a flexible and well-supported way to continue your fertility care with a thoughtful, carefully timed approach.
Unlike fresh IVF cycles, FET often feels a little lighter on the body. It involves fewer medications overall, and most patients appreciate the simpler preparation while still receiving dedicated care from their fertility team. One added benefit of a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle is that pregnancy success rates are comparable to those of a fresh transfer, and in some cases, may even be slightly higher.
What Happens During a Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycle?
You might choose an FET after a successful delivery, or if you had embryos preserved following a previous IVF cycle. Whatever your story, FET offers another opportunity to pursue pregnancy with embryos you already worked hard to create.
The FET process is thoughtful and strategic. It usually begins with a few weeks of birth control pills to help regulate your cycle. Once ready, you’ll complete baseline bloodwork and an ultrasound so your care team can customize the next steps.
Estrogen support builds up your uterine lining, followed by progesterone to prepare for implantation. When your body signals that it’s ready, your frozen embryo is thawed with great care and transferred into your uterus.
Freezing Your Embryos in Advance of Your Path to Parenthood
Freezing embryos during IVF is an important option that opens new doors for future family planning. During an IVF cycle, your team transfers only a limited number of embryos to reduce the risks linked to multiple pregnancies. That means you may have additional healthy embryos for future family building efforts.
Our fertility center takes embryo cryopreservation seriously. Every embryo is labeled, tracked, and monitored with meticulous attention. Thanks to significant investments in our laboratory, we maintain a near-perfect thaw and survival rate.
Keeping embryos frozen gives you options for future treatments without the need for additional egg retrievals or new IVF cycles. Keeping embryos frozen gives you options for future treatments without the need for additional egg retrievals or new IVF cycles. Whether your family grows right away or years down the line, your embryos remain the same age and will be ready when you are.
How Cryopreservation Works
Once your IVF cycle produces viable embryos, those not used immediately are preserved through a rapid freezing process using liquid nitrogen. This locks the embryos in a state of suspended development, protecting their quality over time.
When you are ready to move forward with an FET, the embryo is carefully thawed and examined before transfer. Our experienced fertility specialists handle each step of the process with precision, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
We offer both monthly and long-term embryo storage options to keep your possibilities open, and our financial counselors are available to help you review your choices anytime.
What is Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)? Learn More Today!
When you’re ready to use your frozen embryos, MCRM Fertility will support you every step of the way—with attentive care, open communication, and a commitment to helping you build the family of your dreams.
Every embryo holds possibility, and every patient’s story deserves personalized, heartfelt care. Reach out and schedule a consultation, we’re honored to help you take this next step when you feel ready.