Vitrification, a cutting edge technology for cryopreservation (freezing) of embryos and eggs, is available at Al-Manar Fertility & Endoscopy Center in Basrah, Iraq. Our IVF laboratory maintains its gold standard. All egg retrievals and embryo transfers take place in the Al-Manar Fertility & Endoscopy Center. Our embryo identification procedure is meticulously performed by an experienced embryologist and is available at every critical step in embryology process transfer and cryopreservation. For more information about IVF Specialist in Middle East and Embryo Cryopreservation in Basrah Iraq, please contact one of our physicians, or explore our web site at http://almanarfertility.com or at http://almanarfertility.com/services.php

1. Embryo Freezing - Freezing and Storing of Embryos at Al-Manar Fertility Centre
Basrah, Iraq - What is embryo freezing? - Process of Embryo Freezing - Benefits
of Embryo Freezing to Infertile Couples - Embryo Freezing at Al-Manar Fertility &
Endoscopy Center in Basrah, Iraq - Cryopreservation of Embryos in Basrah, Iraq -
Know in detail about Embryo Cryopreservation - Blastocyst & Embryo Freezing
in IVF Treatment - Frozen Embryo Transfer
In in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, fertility
drugs are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs than usual. Patients who
undergo IVF may have several eggs collected. The eggs are then fertilized with a sperm
and checked for fertilization. Fertilized eggs are called embryos. A patient may have
multiple high quality embryos eligible for embryo transfer back to the uterus. A certain
number of embryos are chosen for embryo transfer, and the surplus of high quality
embryos can be cryopreserved for future use.
In an IVF cycle only an appropriate number of embryos are transferred into a woman’s
uterus. As a result, patient is left with extra embryos created at the time of ivf
treatment. These additional embryos can be frozen (cryopreserved) and stored or may
be discarded or donated as per the wish of the patient. Embryo freezing provides a
patient with the opportunity to conceive more than once from a single egg recovery
cycle.

2. The procedure of Embryo Freezing or Vitrification
After a fresh embryo transfer, good quality surplus embryos and blastocysts created
during IVF or ICSI treatment may be frozen and stored for future use. Embryos can be
frozen from Day 2 (four cell stage) to Day 5 (Blastocyst). They are placed in thin plastic
straws, sealed at both ends, and labeled with your name and identification number.
They are then frozen where the temperature rapidly drops to -150° Celsius. The straws
are then placed in goblets, and put into tanks filled with liquid nitrogen, which keeps the
temperature at -196° Celsius to suspend their development. Once frozen, they can
remain in liquid nitrogen for many years without deterioration before being thawed
and, if they survive and subsequently develop well, transferred to the woman’s uterus
during a frozen embryo transfer (FET).
Usefulness of Embryo Freezing to patients: Embryo freezing provides a patient with
the opportunity to conceive more than once from a single egg recovery cycle. Embryo
freezing, or cryopreservation, adds an important dimension to assisted reproduction by:
 Extending the possibility for pregnancy when fresh cycles fail or when couples
want additional children after a successful embryo transfer.
 Avoiding many ethical dilemmas by eliminating the need to dispose of
embryos.
 Offering an alternative to couples that might transfer too many embryos and
risk a multiple gestation pregnancy.
 Avoiding embryo wastage by freezing embryos individually for efficient use.

3.  Studies have not shown any increased risk of birth defects in babies conceived
using frozen embryos compared with those born of naturally conceived
pregnancies from mothers of a similar age.
 Age-related pregnancy success rates and birth defect risks correspond to the
age of the eggs themselves (determined by the age of the patient when the
eggs were fertilized) and not to the age of the patient when they were
transferred into the uterus.
 Freezing good quality embryos offers a chance of conceiving after an
unsuccessful fresh embryo transfer, or even several years following a successful
transfer and pregnancy.
Embryo cryopreservation is generally performed as a component of in vitro fertilization
(which generally also includes ovarian hyper stimulation, egg retrieval and embryo
transfer). The main techniques used for embryo cryopreservation are vitrification versus
slow programmable freezing (SPF). Studies indicate that vitrification is superior in terms
of survival and implantation rates. Vitrification is a new process for cryopreserving
embryos. Many studies show survival rates of vitrified embryos to be far higher than
survival rates of slow freeze embryos. Previously, embryos were cryopreserved using a
slow freeze method. However, the survival rate of cryopreserved embryos with Slow
Freeze method was only about 70%. Therefore new methods were developed to
improve cryopreservation techniques.

4. After care in the process of frozen embryo transfer
The lining of the uterus is uniquely designed to enhance the process of embryo
implantation. Special secretions of nutrients and cell adhesion molecules assist the
embryo in the process of continuing development, attaching to the uterine wall and
burrowing the placental cells into the uterus. The embryos are now safely housed within
the walls of the uterus. For better or worse, there is very little you can do at this point to
affect the chances of successful implantation. Whether or not the embryo or embryos
implant in the uterus is primarily dependent on the health of the embryo.
After completing the transfer you will be repositioned very gently so your legs are
together and slightly elevated. This position is recommended for a short period of time
following transfer. It is important during this time that you remain relatively relaxed and
comfortable. Usually you will remain at rest for 15 to 30 minutes after the transfer.
When you go home, take rest for 6 - 8 hours after the transfer. Avoid lifting weight.
After 8-10 hours, you may increase activity but restrain from vigorous activities. Your
ovaries will still be full of fluid from the effects of the stimulation and you may feel some
bloating or pelvic discomfort at this time. Avoid any creams, lubricants, or spermicides.
Avoid having sex for about a week after your transfer. If you have to travel, take extra
precautions and avoid stress.
Embryo cryopreservation has been shown to increase IVF pregnancy rates by allowing
exposure of more oocytes to sperm per treatment cycle, and allows for selection of the
highest quality embryos for transfer. Currently, embryo cryopreservation is accepted as
standard care and is considered an essential technology of most IVF laboratories. The
beneficial role of this technique has even been emphasized by the American Society for
Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) ethics committee. Embryo cryopreservation can
optimize success rates, decrease multiple pregnancies, decrease costs of future
treatment, and avoid the need for further injection in future stimulation cycles, as well
as prevent embryo waste. Freezing good quality embryos offers a chance of conceiving
after an unsuccessful fresh embryo transfer, or even several years following a successful
transfer and pregnancy.
Vitrification, a cutting edge technology for cryopreservation (freezing) of embryos and
eggs, is available at Al-Manar Fertility & Endoscopy Center in Basrah, Iraq. Our IVF
laboratory maintains its gold standard. All egg retrievals and embryo transfers take

5. place in the Al-Manar Fertility & Endoscopy Center. Our embryo identification
procedure is meticulously performed by an experienced embryologist and is available at
every critical step in embryology process transfer and cryopreservation.
For more information about IVF and Embryo Cryopreservation, please contact one of
our physicians, or explore our web site at http://almanarfertility.com or at
http://almanarfertility.com/services.php
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