Frozen Embryo Transfer in Chennai

In many cases, FET outcomes are equal to or better than fresh transfers. After ovarian stimulation, elevated hormone levels can reduce uterine receptivity. FET allows the endometrium to recover fully, often improving implantation rates. Large studies confirm comparable or superior pregnancy rates with FET, particularly in freeze-all strategies.

Vitrified embryos can be stored indefinitely without quality degradation. Healthy pregnancies have resulted from embryos frozen for over 10 years. The vitrification process halts all biological activity, preserving embryos at the exact developmental stage they were frozen. Storage duration does not affect success rates.

Our vitrification protocols achieve post-thaw survival rates above 95 percent. Dr. Rukkayal directly assesses each embryo after thawing, confirming full cell survival and re-expansion before transfer. In the rare event an embryo does not survive thawing, a backup embryo is thawed on the same day.

In a hormone-replacement cycle, estrogen builds the lining over 12 to 14 days, followed by progesterone to create the implantation window. In a natural cycle, your own hormones prepare the lining and transfer is timed to ovulation. Serial ultrasounds confirm a lining thickness of at least 7 to 8 millimetres with a trilaminar pattern.

Dr. Rukkayal recommends freeze-all when progesterone rises prematurely during stimulation, when OHSS risk is high, when genetic testing of embryos is planned, or when the endometrial lining is suboptimal on retrieval day. This strategy prioritises both safety and implantation success.

You can attempt as many FET cycles as you have stored embryos. Each transfer is a relatively simple procedure compared to a full IVF cycle. Dr. Rukkayal reviews and may adjust the preparation protocol between attempts based on endometrial response and implantation outcomes from previous transfers.

FET is painless and does not require anaesthesia. A thin catheter is guided through the cervix under ultrasound, and the embryo is gently deposited into the uterine cavity. The entire procedure takes two to three minutes. Most patients return to normal activities the same day with no downtime required.

If the endometrium remains thin despite estrogen supplementation, Dr. Rukkayal may add vaginal estrogen, low-dose aspirin, vitamin E, or sildenafil to improve blood flow. A natural or modified natural cycle may also be tried. Transfer is not proceeded with unless the lining meets quality criteria — protecting your frozen embryos from a suboptimal transfer.

While transferring two embryos may be considered in specific situations, Dr. Rukkayal generally recommends single embryo transfer for FET cycles, particularly with good-quality blastocysts. This approach maintains high pregnancy rates while significantly reducing the risks associated with twin pregnancies, including preterm birth and low birth weight.

Post-thaw survival rates with modern vitrification exceed 95 percent, so complete embryo loss during thawing is uncommon. If it does occur, Dr. Rukkayal will thaw a backup embryo on the same day if one is available. The situation is discussed with you before the cycle begins so you are prepared for all possible outcomes.