Embryo Thawing

Embryo thawing is a process where embryos are warmed from a cooled state to prepare for transfer to a uterus. Multiple embryos are often created as part of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure, but only a certain number of embryos can be transferred to a uterus at one time.

If there are remaining embryos, or there is a situation where a transfer cannot occur, they are likely to be cryopreserved through a process called vitrification and can be used at a later date for a pregnancy attempt.

Because there is no ice formed during the process of vitrification, the process is technically referred to as embryo warming over embryo thawing.