Fresh? Frozen? When it comes to embryo transfers, many IVF in Australia patients find themselves weighing the pros and cons of each approach. This includes those exploring how to have a baby girl or looking to welcome a little boy into their lives through Gender Selection IVF. While both methods aim to result in a healthy pregnancy, frozen transfers are increasingly seen as the safer, more successful option. Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding the Basics
A fresh embryo transfer takes place within the same cycle as egg retrieval. The eggs are fertilised, embryos are created and tested, and on day five, the healthiest embryo of your preferred gender is transferred. This method eliminates the need for freezing.
In a frozen embryo transfer, the embryos are created and then cryopreserved using a rapid freezing technique, with the transfer occurring in a later cycle.
So, which approach is right for your gender selection IVF journey? Let’s explore the pros and cons of each.
Why Numbers Matter
IVF is a numbers game. Egg retrievals are more invasive and costly than transfers. This is just one reason it’s important to aim for the best possible yield in each round.
It’s normal for IVF patients to experience attrition at every stage of the process. What does this mean? Of the eggs harvested from follicles, not all will be fully mature. Of those mature enough, not all eggs will successfully fertilise. And of the fertilised eggs, not all will make it to the blastocyst stage. While this can feel disheartening, it’s entirely expected in any IVF journey.
Dr Potter recognises that for the strongest possible outcome, collecting as many eggs as possible is crucial. This is especially important in gender selection IVF, where approximately half of the resulting embryos will be the preferred gender. PGT-A testing, which screens for over 200 genetic conditions, can also reduce the number of suitable embryos.
To give patients the best chance of success, Dr Potter uses higher doses of medication to increase the number of eggs retrieved. Frozen embryo transfers are most compatible with this approach.
Hyperstimulation Risks and the Safety of Waiting
With higher doses of follicle-stimulating medication, there’s a risk of developing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). This occurs when the ovaries become overstimulated, causing them to swell and leak fluid into the body. Symptoms can include bloating, nausea, and discomfort. In more severe cases, it can lead to pain, vomiting or even hospitalisation.
OHSS is much more likely to occur in fresh IVF cycles, where the embryo is transferred shortly after egg collection. Allowing the body time to recover before transfer by opting for a frozen embryo cycle instead can significantly reduce this risk.
For this reason, Dr Potter recommends spacing out the egg collection and embryo transfer to support recovery and improve overall safety.
Timing, Testing & Turnaround
Fresh cycle transfers can be challenging to time. For the best chance of success, the embryo must be transferred exactly five days after fertilisation. This leaves a very short window for PGT-A testing and gender selection, which both need to be completed before the transfer can go ahead. Many labs are no longer willing or able to deliver such rapid turnaround times, making fresh transfers more difficult to coordinate.
With a frozen embryo transfer, timing is far more flexible. Embryos are cryopreserved at the blastocyst stage, allowing for careful biopsy and comprehensive PGT-A testing without the pressure of a tight deadline. This approach ensures that each embryo is thoroughly screened for both genetic health and gender before transfer in a later cycle.
Success Rates and Global Outcomes
When you choose Dr Potter and the GSA team for your fertility journey, you’re placing your trust in a results-driven approach that delivers. Dr Potter’s success rates are consistently higher than those of many other IVF clinics in the US, Australia, and around the world. These outcomes are particularly strong when it comes to frozen embryo transfers. The numbers speak for themselves: when it comes to planning your transfer, waiting truly pays off.
Travel & Logistics: Two Trips vs One
Dr Potter operates out of the US, so treatment resuires travel to and from Los Angeles. The configuration of these trips depends on whether you plan to undertake a fresh or frozen embryo transfer.
Fresh embryo transfers usually require you to stay in the US for around two weeks. This can be more expensive and harder to manage if you need to take time off work or make arrangements for your family.
With a frozen embryo transfer, the process is split into two shorter trips. The first trip is for egg retrieval and takes about 5 to 7 days. The second trip, for the embryo transfer, is much shorter—just 3 to 4 days.
Only the first trip requires both you and your partner to attend. For the second visit, many patients choose to travel alone, making it more convenient and less disruptive overall.
Frozen embryo transfers offer a safer approach, greater flexibility with timing, and higher overall success rates. They also allow for more accurate lab testing and simpler travel arrangements. For many patients, the benefits are clear. To learn more about your options with Gender Selection Australia, get in touch with our friendly team today.