Embryo transfer is a critical step in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process, where an embryo is placed into the woman’s uterus to achieve pregnancy. Depending on how the embryo is handled after fertilization, the transfer can be either fresh or frozen.

• Fresh Embryo Transfer: After eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the lab, the resulting embryos are cultured for a few days (usually 3 to 5 days). One or more high-quality embryos are then transferred into the uterus within the same cycle. This method is often used when the woman responds well to ovarian stimulation without complications.

• Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): Embryos are frozen (cryopreserved) after fertilization and stored for future use. They are thawed and transferred in a later cycle, allowing time for the body to recover from hormone stimulation or to optimize uterine conditions. FET is also used when fresh transfer is not advisable, such as in cases of risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) or when genetic testing is performed on embryos.

Both methods aim to achieve a successful pregnancy, and the choice between fresh and frozen transfer depends on individual medical conditions, embryo quality, and treatment strategy.