Frozen Embryo Surrogacy (FES): A safe and effective technique for surrogacy (complete guide)

1. What is this frozen embryo Surrogacy ?

Surrogacy with frozen embryos (FES) is a modern technique of surrogacy in which the embryos are prepared in the laboratory using IVF (in-vitro fertilization) and frozen using the vitrification technique at ultra-low temperatures (-196 °C). This frozen embryo is then implanted into the surrogate mother's uterus, allowing her to conceive and deliver a healthy baby. This process is extremely beneficial for couples who cannot conceive in a timely manner or need to preserve their embryos for the future.

2. Who is Frozen Embryo Surrogacy (FES) for ?

(a) Those who already have frozen embryos:

The couple who underwent IVF previously and have frozen embryos

(b) Those who cannot conceive at the moment but want to become parents in the future:

Couples wishing to delay pregnancy due to cancer treatment, medical conditions, or personal reasons.

(c) Women who are unable to carry a fetus in their uterus:

As there may be a serious problem in the uterus, repeated miscarriages may have occurred, or conception may be life-threatening.

(d) Single parent or same-sex couple:

Those who want to start a family through surrogacy and the embryos have already been prepared or frozen.

(e) Those who have created embryos using donor sperm:

And now they want to implant that embryo through a surrogate mother.

3. Step-by-step process

(a) Preparing embryos (IVF)

Stimulation of interested mothers or donors to retrieve eggs from the ovaries.

Creating embryos through IVF using father/donor sperm.

Quality testing and grading of the embryo.

(b) Depositing (vitrification)

Safeguarding embryos with cryoptectants.

Storing them in liquid nitrogen using the flash freezing technique.

(c) Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

Endometrial preparations for hormone replacement therapy - estrogen and progesterone dosing.

Carefully and gently transfer the embryo into the uterus (via catheter + ultrasound).

Rest after the transfer and confirm the pregnancy with the hCG values in to 10 to 14 days.

4. Success Rates

(a) Total surrogacy success:

60%-75% per transfer and up to 80% in reliable clinics.

5. Key benefits

(a) High success rate:- Good symbol lab control, retry facility.

(b) Flexibility:- Transfer date is adjustable.

(d) Instalment deduction:- No need for retrieval again, lower fees.

6. Risks and Challenges

(a) Minimal damage:- Modern technology can minimize, but not completely prevent.

(b) Implantation failure:- There remains a possibility of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, etc.

(d) Minimum social/moral disputes:- But there may be legal complexites in a country like India.

7. India's Legal Status

(a) According to the law regulating surrogacy from 2021, only altruistic (non-commercial) surrogacy is accepted

(b) Surrogacy and the limits of financial transaction: only medical cost, necessary legal documents, licenses, and aproval processes.

(c) Eligibility: Married Indian couples, husband (26-55_ and wife (23-50), married for at least 5 years, without children, or widow/divorced woman (35-45), but unmarried men are not eligible.

(d) The new surrogacy is prohibited for foreigner; it is only allowed for medical reasons.

8. Conclusion

Surrogacy with frozen embryos is a modern, safe, and technologically advanced method of surrogacy, where embryos are prepared through IVF and frozen using vitrification techniques. The main feature of this process is that it allows for the assessment of the embryo's quality and health before birth, increasing with success rate of the conception and reducing potential risk. Surrogacy with frozen embryos offers couples more flexibility in planing and makes the entire surrogacy experience more medically controlled and makes the entire surrogacy experience more medically controlled and safer. In the ethically, socially responsible, and legally safe option.