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Felicitas Mehiläinen / Services / Infertility / Freezing Embryos

Freezing Embryos

Embryos may be frozen at different stages of development, using various slow-freezing or vitrification (ultra-rapid freezing) techniques.

Freezing Embryos

In slow-freezing, embryos are placed in a cryogenic medium containing substances which protect the embryo against the cold. These substances and the slow decrease in temperature protect the embryos against the formation of ice crystals, which is important for their survival. The embryos are then transferred from the medium into thin straws for storage and frozen using cryogenic equipment whereby the rate of temperature decrease is carefully controlled. Frozen embryos are then placed in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C) for long-term storage.

In vitrification, the cryogenic medium contains a larger concentration of substances protecting the embryo against the cold than the media used in the slow-freezing process, and the embryos are frozen rapidly by placing them directly in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C). The cryogenic medium forms a protective layer around the embryo and no ice crystals are formed. Vitrification is particularly suitable for the freezing of eggs and it has considerably improved egg survival. At the moment our clinics only use the vitrification technique on an investigational basis.

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Why Felicitas Mehiläinen

Felicitas Mehiläinen is the leading fertility clinic in Finland providing a wide variety of fertility treatments ranging from basic infertility care to the most advanced IVF technology available today.
Over 30 years of experience has made it possible for the Felicitas Mehiläinen to offer the highest standards of patient care and reproductive health services in a modern and comfortable clinic.
Our doctors and scientists have always been at the forefront of IVF science and development; in fact, our founder, was part of the team involved in the birth of the Finland’s first IVF baby in 1984.
We always remain focused on the individual needs of each and every patient. We always put out patients first, and that is why we work so hard to listen to and treat every patient individually.