Holding Hope: Understanding Embryo Freezing and Its Role in Fertility Care

"We weren’t ready to be parents just yet—but we wanted to know we had the option." 

That’s how one couple described their decision to preserve embryos for the future. And they’re not alone.

For many, the journey to parenthood doesn’t follow a straight line. Timing, health, careers, relationships, and life can complicate the path. But thanks to advancements in reproductive medicine, embryo freezing offers a way to pause and preserve the possibility of pregnancy.

At Paul’s Hospital, we meet patients at every stage of that decision, offering clarity, support and care that’s rooted in both science and empathy.

What Is Embryo Freezing?

Embryo freezing, or embryo cryopreservation, is a fertility preservation technique where embryos (created using sperm and eggs through IVF) are frozen at very low temperatures for future use.

The process involves:

• Stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs

• Fertilising those eggs in a lab

• Carefully freezing the resulting embryos at the blastocyst stage (typically 5–6 days after fertilisation)

These embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen and can remain viable for years, sometimes even a decade or more.

Why Do People Choose Embryo Freezing?

Embryo freezing isn’t just for one kind of patient. People choose it for many different reasons:

• Couples planning to delay pregnancy due to career, health, or personal readiness

• Individuals undergoing cancer treatment who want to preserve fertility before chemotherapy or radiation

• Women with medical conditions such as endometriosis or diminished ovarian reserve

• IVF patients with surplus embryos, who may want to use them in later cycles or donate them

At Paul’s Hospital, we help patients weigh their options with honesty and compassion—no pressure, no assumptions.

Is Embryo Freezing the Same as Egg Freezing?

Not quite. While they’re similar in purpose, they differ in process:

• Egg freezing involves preserving unfertilised eggs

• Embryo freezing happens after eggs are fertilised with sperm

Embryo freezing generally has higher success rates when it comes to future pregnancies because the embryo has already passed certain developmental milestones.

What to Expect at Paul’s Hospital

We know how deeply personal this decision can be. That’s why our care model includes:

• Clear, detailed counselling before beginning the process

• Ethical storage and documentation of all embryos

• Customised IVF protocols to suit each person’s body and health history

• Long-term storage in internationally regulated cryopreservation units

• Emotional support throughout, from retrieval to future implantation

And most importantly, we never treat your decision like a transaction. You’ll have a dedicated team who’ll walk with you, step by step.

The Emotional Side of Embryo Freezing

It’s easy to talk about numbers, timelines, and lab processes. But this isn’t just medical—it’s emotional.

Many patients feel:

• Relief—knowing they’ve taken a step to preserve their future

• Grief or uncertainty, especially when freezing is tied to health challenges

• Hope—for the family, they may one day build

At Paul’s, we make space for all those feelings. We offer one-on-one counselling, and we connect patients to others who’ve been there too.

How Long Can Embryos Be Stored?

Scientific studies and clinical evidence show that embryos can remain viable even after 10–15 years of storage. In fact, several successful pregnancies have been reported using embryos frozen for over two decades.

At our embryo freezing facility in Kerala, we use globally standardised cryostorage techniques, ensuring both safety and traceability. We’ll also check in with you annually, so you stay in control of your stored embryos.

Looking Ahead: When You’re Ready to Use Your Embryos

When the time feels right, thawed embryos can be transferred during a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. At Paul’s Hospital, we ensure:

• Gentle, hormone-supported cycles to prepare the uterus

• High-thaw survival rates

• Personalised planning based on your health and preferences

• Open, transparent communication every step of the way

Whether it's months or years down the line, we’ll be right here.

In Conclusion: Preserving Possibility, Gently

Embryo freezing is more than a procedure; it’s a decision about your future. At Paul’s Hospital, we honour that decision with clinical excellence and deep human care. 

Whether you're exploring options, undergoing treatment, or simply gathering information, know this: your path is yours. And we’re here to support it with kindness, clarity, and no judgment.