Frozen embryo transfer: Making pregnancy possible on your timeline

A frozen embryo transfer can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Whether you are trying to have your first baby or add more children to your family, using a frozen embryo may help.

For a pregnancy to develop, a fertilized egg must implant into the lining of the uterus. 

We use frozen embryo transfer in different situations.

The steps include:

• A pre-medication ultrasound to check your uterus for any cysts or other conditions that would affect implantation

• You will need to grow the uterine lining before the embryo can be transferred. Your doctor will pick the best protocol for you. This could involve taking estrogen, using FSH injections or a natural cycle

• A repeat ultrasound (sometimes more than one) to check the uterine lining

When your uterine lining is ready, you go to the fertility clinic for the embryo transfer. You do not need anesthesia during the transfer. You go home the same day. 

On implant day

Here’s what happens on implant day:

• Embryos are thawed (this takes about 1 hour)

• Embryos are checked for health

• Your embryologist places the embryos into a catheter and hands to the doctor

• Ultrasound is used to guide the catheter through cervix and into the uterus

• The embryos are placed in the uterus

• The catheter is removed

You will keep taking estrogen and progesterone if prescribed by your doctor. Your fertility team will provide instructions on follow up care and when the timing is right to confirm if the embryo has implanted resulting in a pregnancy.