Fertility Preservation
Embryo Freezing
Embryo freezing gives you the freedom to plan your family on your terms. By safely storing your embryos, you maintain excellent chances of a healthy pregnancy when the time is right.
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What is Embryo Freezing?
Embryo freezing is a safe and effective way to store embryos created during IVF or ICSI for future use, giving you greater flexibility and control over when you choose to try for pregnancy. Using advanced freezing techniques, particularly vitrification, embryos can be carefully preserved with excellent chances of success when you’re ready.
For many patients, frozen embryo transfer offers reassurance and choice — whether you’d prefer to plan treatment around personal circumstances or allow your body time to recover after stimulation. In some cases, this approach may even help improve outcomes.
Our recent research (Garratt et al., 2026, in press) suggests that giving the body time to reset before transfer may be beneficial for certain patients.
When the time feels right, your embryos are gently thawed and transferred as part of a frozen embryo transfer cycle. You’ll find a step-by-step guide to the process below, so you know exactly what to expect.
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Is Embryo Freezing Right for You?
Embryo freezing can be a good option if you:
- Have surplus high-quality embryos after IVF or ICSI.
- Have developed complications or severe side effects from ovarian stimulation.
- Need to pause or cancel treatment after egg collection.
- Are facing medical treatments that could affect fertility, such as cancer therapy.
- Want to preserve fertility before gender-affirming treatment or surgery.
- Are planning for future family flexibility and want to take control of timing.
- Are part of a same-sex couple considering intra-partner donation (Reciprocal IVF).
- Need to undergo embryo genetic testing (PGT-A, PGT-M or PGT-SR), which requires freezing embryos.
Sometimes, circumstances arise during an IVF cycle that make a fresh transfer unsuitable. These can include elevated progesterone levels, the identification of a polyp in the womb, risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, illness or emergency, or a thin or poorly developed endometrial lining.
Benefits of Embryo Freezing
Choosing embryo freezing offers several important advantages:
- High success rates: Modern freezing techniques preserve embryo quality and can improve pregnancy outcomes.
- Flexibility in family planning: Your embryos can be stored safely and used when the time is right for you.
- Preservation of younger, healthier embryos: Freezing early ensures your best-quality embryos are available for future use.
How Does Embryo Freezing Work?
Embryo freezing is a carefully managed process that gives you flexibility and choice in your fertility journey. From creating embryos in the lab to safely freezing and storing them, each step is designed to maximise their quality and preserve your chances of a successful pregnancy when the time is right.
Embryo freezing usually takes place as part of IVF or ICSI treatment. Eggs and sperm are combined in the laboratory to create embryos, which are carefully monitored as they develop.
Embryos are carefully assessed in the laboratory to determine which are suitable for freezing. While we select embryos that meet certain quality criteria, embryos of varying quality may be frozen to give you the best possible options for future use.
Selected embryos are frozen using vitrification, a modern fast-freezing technique that protects their quality and viability.
Your frozen embryos are safely stored in liquid nitrogen until you are ready to use them.
When the time is right, an embryo is thawed and transferred to your womb. This is a quick, simple procedure, performed under ultrasound guidance, and works just like a fresh embryo transfer.
A pregnancy test is arranged 12–14 days later. Most patients can return to normal activities shortly afterward. Embryo transfers are carefully timed to match your body’s natural or medicated cycle. To reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy, usually only one embryo is transferred at a time. Frozen embryo transfers are considered just as safe as fresh transfers.
Frozen Embryo Transfer Success in Numbers
In 2025, over 3,200 embryos were thawed in our laboratories for frozen embryo transfer, with a 99% survival rate.
On rare occasions, embryos do not survive the thaw and these are usually ones that were of lower quality.
For more information on frozen embryo transfer outcomes, you can visit our FET Success Rates data page.
Embryo Freezing Success Rates
‘We have two beautiful children - our family wouldn't exist without LWC Brentwood.<br><br>Can't recommend them highly enough; IVF is an emotional rollercoaster regardless of your journey and we were supported at every step.<br><br>Pricing is transparent and easy to understand, with payment plans available that made accessing any treatment and medication very flexible and affordable.<br><br>The clinic became such a part of our lives for that short time, the care and support is so important and LWC Brentwood were brilliant. Maybe we will see them again for number 3!’
Victoria Hayman
10 November 2026, LWC Brentwood
‘I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the entire team for supporting me throughout my IVF journey.<br><br>I am delighted to share that I had a positive pregnancy test following my very first IVF cycle fresh embryo transfer, and I am now 9 weeks pregnant!<br><br>The staff at the LWC Colchester satellite clinic are very supportive, approachable and always do their best to help you at every stage of the journey. I would definitely recommend LWC Colchester to anyone considering fertility treatment.<br><br>A special thank you to Dr Timea Kovats, a highly experienced, knowledgeable and to the wonderful staff Jackie, Annette, Tracey.<br><br>Their excellent guidance, expertise, care and supportive approach played a significant role in making my first IVF cycle successful. I am truly grateful for their dedication, encouragement and support throughout this journey.<br><br>I am equally grateful to all the staff at Colchester satellite clinic and the London main clinic for their care and support throughout the entire process.<br><br>Thank you once again for helping us achieve such a special milestone in our lives. We will always be grateful for your support! ❤️’
jigu
10 November 2026, LWC Colchester
‘Friendly, experienced and professional team. Supported throughout the entire process and would highly recommend.’
Mizzee West
10 November 2026, LWC Brighton
‘The nursing team are so friendly and so supportive. Made everything so much better and easier to go through egg freezing.’
Megan Godber
10 November 2026, LWC Brighton
‘We had a great experience as the team here are very knowledgeable and caring and they made us feel taken care of throughout! Big shout out to Rute & Trianni for their care and support 😊’
Chiamaka Nelson
9 November 2026, LWC Cambridge
‘The team here are very kind and helpful and made the journey completely painless! They kept us informed throughout the process and were always responsive when we had questioned’
Aruna Nelson
9 November 2026, LWC Cambridge
‘They've given us wonderful service very easy to be around. Very good communication, and very good at helping us out with everything they've done so far.’
Jessica Norman
9 November 2026, LWC Oxford
‘We had a fantastic experience with LWC, Dr Rimington’s passion and expertise were second to none and we strongly believe that he is the reason for our success. All the staff were lovely, helpful and kind - we will definitely use LWC again’
Hannah Hale
9 November 2026, LWC Brighton
‘I honestly cannot recommend this fertility clinic highly enough. From the very beginning, the care, compassion and support we received were absolutely exceptional.<br><br>Going through fertility treatment is an incredibly emotional journey, with so many ups and downs, but the team made us feel supported, listened to and genuinely cared for every step of the way. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and every member of staff we encountered was kind, understanding, professional and reassuring.<br><br>What really stood out was how personal the experience felt. We never felt like just another number. The team took the time to answer our questions, put our minds at ease and guide us through what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming process.<br><br>We are incredibly grateful for everything they have done for us and will never forget the part they have played in helping us grow our family. We now have our little miracles, and we couldn't be more thankful.<br><br>If you're considering fertility treatment, I would wholeheartedly recommend LWC. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping make our dream come true! ❤️’
Emma Hayman
8 November 2026, LWC Brentwood
‘Had a really positive experience visiting the Oxford Clinic. Nurse Manager Liv, took time to make me us feel at ease and explained how the appointment will go. Thank you!’
Kinga Arcana-Jones
7 November 2026, LWC Oxford
‘Everyone my partner and I have interacted with at the Oxford clinic has been warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They’ve really helped make a very daunting process easier to go through and I’m very glad we chose this clinic!’
Jess Palmer
5 November 2026, LWC Oxford
‘Very friendly staff and a lovely inclusive environment, had a wonderful experience here. Highly recommend for anyone looking at fertility preservation.’
T Ilagan
5 November 2026, LWC Oxford
‘As an LGBTQ couple we found LWC Colchester incredibly supportive, no question was too much. They were friendly and welcoming, with modern facilities, and made your journey feel very personalised. We would highly recommend them for your fertility journey.’
Jasmine Colman
5 November 2026, LWC Colchester
‘A massive thank you to Dom and Dr Vasquez for all of their help throughout the process!’
James Purcell
5 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells
‘Me and my husband can’t thank everyone at London Women’s Clinic enough for all the care and support throughout our recent treatment. Everything went really well, and we are so grateful to all the doctors and the entire team for looking after me. A special thank you to Mimi, Dr Barbara, Caroline, Trina and Elena from Embryology team and the Theatre Team - Rose, Martin and Amy F. Everyone was so kind, helpful and reassuring, and it really made a difference. Thank you all for everything. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️’
IsadelandCyril
4 November 2026, LWC Harley Street
‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️<br><br>A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey.<br><br>We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process.<br><br>IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier.<br><br>Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey.<br><br>Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’
Alexandru Predescu
3 November 2026, LWC Harrow
‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️<br><br>A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey.<br><br>We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process.<br><br>IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier.<br><br>Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey.<br><br>Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’
Mihaela-Clemansa Predescu
3 November 2026, LWC Harrow
‘Simply Brilliant .’
Ramachandran Jeyamohan
3 November 2026, LWC Colchester
‘I feel so blessed and grateful to have been under the lovely nurse Katie and Dr Kovats’s care. Everyone I encountered in the clinic on or off line was friendly, reassuring, thoughtful, and patient with me.<br><br>I could feel the genuine care from Katie and Dr Kovats. I feel very reassured knowing they'd be there with me every step of the way; it is a great relief to have medical professionals like them on my side. They listened attentively, were reassuring, explained what I need to know thoroughly and were very approachable.<br><br>Thank you to Carina, the friendly clinic coordinator, for always answering my emails promptly and being so helpful with all the questions I threw at her.<br><br>Also, to the lovely staff member with blonde hair (I’m so sorry I forgot your name!) who did the ultrasound scan, thank you for being so attentive and making me feel relaxed.<br><br>The clinic has a calm, relaxing vibe and is very clean.<br><br>I have had a wonderful experience with the clinic and would highly recommend the team to anyone on their fertility journey!’
T Yang
3 November 2026, LWC Brentwood
‘We have used London Women's Clinic twice in the last two years for successful egg retrieval and two subsequent frozen embryo transfers. We have always been met with care, compassion and a personal approach. Every step from the initial consultation right through to the 7 week scan has been professional and polite, always accommodating our needs and timings. We can't thank the team enough for giving us such support towards creating our family.’
Lucy Richards
2 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells
‘Myself and my husband owe it all to london womens clinic, they were amazing from start to finish. We previously were under another clinic and decided to make the change due to many reasons and we are so glad we did. They treat everyone as individuals, not everyones fertility journeys are the same. The small team at Colchester make it so personable not to mention how amazing all 4 women are that work here, their knowledge empathy and listening skills simply cannot be found at any other clinic. The list goes on as to why I would recommend LWC but everyone likes a to the point review. They genuinely care they dont treat you like a number and they help you through every hurdle that occurs. Our little boy wouldn't be possible without these 4, each of them play a bigger part than they realise. 💙’
Ellen Turrell
2 November 2026, LWC Colchester
‘Wonderful punch of people, caring, competent, and efficient in all they do. It feels we are all in a mission together and they are invested in the success of our pregnancy. Thank k you 🙏’
Yasmine Mora
30 October 2026, LWC London Bridge
‘I couldn’t speak more highly of the London Women’s Clinic Oxford! From the moment you walk in you are greeted with such a warm welcome. The reception area is bright and welcoming and the receptionist is lovely. All of the staff are so friendly, helpful and polite.<br><br>Going through this journey can be emotional, so having such a wonderful supportive, caring clinic to visit makes all the difference. Everyone goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and looked after.<br><br>I feel so lucky to have such a lovely team supporting me along the way. Thank you all! 🍀💗’
Louise
30 October 2026, LWC Oxford
‘Incredible service and professionals. They made me feel comfortable and safe the entire journey. Thank you!’
Luciana Lombardi
30 October 2026, LWC Cambridge
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How much does Embryo Freezing cost?
Understanding the costs involved is an important step when considering embryo freezing. We aim to provide clear, transparent pricing so you know what to expect from the start.
For a full breakdown of costs and what’s included in our treatment plans, please get in touch with our team.
Embryo Freezing Prices
Costs start from
Included in the fee:
- Clinical advice, monitoring scans, egg collection
- Preparation and culture of eggs and sperm
- Embryo cryopreservation
In addition to your main procedure fee, there are some additional costs you will need to be aware of when planning your treatment. Additonal costs may include:
- Sedation
- Medication
- Monitoring blood test
- Blastocyst culture
- HFEA licence fees
- Embryo storage
Exact costs will be discussed after your consultation and once a treatment plan has been confirmed for you. For Embryo Freezing, the average total treatment cost of a single cycle is £7,880 - £8,880.
For Embryo Freezing, the average total treatment cost for your second cycle is £7,680 - £8,680.
For Embryo Freezing, the average total treatment cost for your third cycle is £7,380 - £8,380.
Where We Offer Embryo Freezing Services
Embryo freezing services are available at our conveniently located clinics. Click on a location to find out more about our facilities and how to book a consultation
Tell us your location and we'll show you your nearest clinic.
Nearest clinics
Take the Next Step in Your Fertility Journey
Our friendly team is here to answer your questions and guide you through the embryo freezing process. Whether you’re exploring your options for the first time or ready to take the next step, we’ll provide personalised advice and support every step of the way.
Contact us
Book a Fertility Health Assessment
Embryo Freezing FAQs
Yes. Risks are comparable to fresh embryos. The main consideration is the risk of multiple pregnancy, which can be reduced by transferring a single embryo (eSET).
The embryo is thawed and placed into the uterus under ultrasound guidance. Your doctor will prepare the uterine lining based on your natural cycle or with medication if needed.
Yes. You, your partner, or any donors can vary or withdraw consent at any time before use. There may be a cooling-off period of up to a year in some cases.
Why choose London Women’s Clinic?
At London Women’s Clinic, we combine decades of fertility expertise with advanced embryo freezing technology to give you the highest standard of care at every stage of your journey. Our team is committed to helping you feel confident, informed and supported throughout the process.
Upcoming Free Fertility Events
Stay informed about the latest seminars, webinars and workshops on fertility and Embryo Freezing.
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Embryo Freezing Stories, Advice and Research
Insights, Advice & Real Stories on Embryo Freezing and Wellbeing
Egg Freezing for Athletes: Why More Sportswomen Are Choosing to Preserve Their Fertility
An athlete's career often peaks during her most fertile years. This month, England rugby captain Meg Jones called for fertility support in sport, here's what egg freezing involves and how it can support elite athletes.
Trans and non-binary fertility options in the UK
There isn't one route to building a family as a trans or non-binary person and you don't need to have it all figured out before you start. From egg, sperm and embryo freezing to IVF, donor options and surrogacy, here's a clear guide to what may be possible for you, before or after gender-affirming care.