What is frozen embryo transfer?
If you have undergone fertility treatment that has produced an embryo, such as IVF or ICSI, it is possible to freeze embryos not used in that cycle for later use.
How does a frozen embryo transfer work?
In a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle, we thaw your frozen embryos and transfer one or two of them into the uterus.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) guidance is that only two embryos may be transferred after a treatment cycle. Your doctor or embryologist will discuss the number of embryos to be thawed in any one attempt with you in advance.
If the treatment produced more than two (or three) good quality embryos, we can freeze those that aren’t used at extremely low temperature. This ensures that they do not deteriorate over the number of years they are stored for future use.
Frozen embryo transfer success rates
Although we are very selective about the embryos we freeze, only 90% survive after being thawed.
An advantage of a FET cycle is that we do not need injections to stimulate the ovaries, instead you’ll be given medications to prepare your womb to receive these embryos.
During the procedure, we do an ultrasound scan to help us place the embryos where they have the highest chance of implantation.
The current pregnancy (live birth) rate for frozen embryo transfer is 17%. This compares favourably with the average national rate.
FET cycle price list
Explore our FET and embryo freezing treatment cycle packages below.
View our fertility investigation and treatment prices here. Full treatment costs will be provided in your personalised, costed treatment plan.
Please refer to our other price lists for further treatment options, including the use of a donor treatments and surrogacy.
What is included:
- Nurse consultation and treatment planning.
- Access to online consenting and patient education platform.
- Mandatory virology screening, if required.
- Cycle management including endometrial preparation, monitoring scans and blood tests.
- Embryo thawing and viability assessment.
- Embryo transfer procedure.
- Early pregnancy scan or post-treatment consultation.
- Up to six fertility counselling sessions.
- HFEA fertility regulators fee.
What is included:
- Nurse consultation and treatment planning.
- Access to online consenting and patient education platform.
- Mandatory virology screening, if required.
- Cycle management including monitoring scans and blood tests.
- Egg collection and sperm preparation.
- IVF procedure.
- Embryo culture and assessment.
- Embryo freezing and the first 12 months of storage.
- Up to six fertility counselling sessions.
- HFEA fertility regulators fee.
Related resources
Find out more about related treatments and services
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Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT)
PGT, also known as preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), helps identify genetic conditions in embryos.
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Egg freezing and storage
Egg freezing helps increase the chance of having a baby at a later stage in life, by preserving your eggs.
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Fertility preservation
We offer fertility preservation options for people that will be embarking on treatment that may impair their fertility.
Locations
Frozen embryo transfer is offered at the following locations
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