Embryo Freezing VS Egg Freezing

Freezing your eggs involves collecting and then freezing your unfertilized eggs so that they can be stored and later fertilized.

When it comes to freezing embryos, instead of just freezing unfertilized eggs, eggs and sperm are combined pre-freeze, using IVF. The fertilized egg creates a zygote, which then develops into an embryo — which is then frozen in a way similar to how unfertilized eggs are frozen.

It has been widely studied that frozen embryos result in more successful pregnancies than frozen eggs. Moreover, freezing embryos has significant advantages over freezing eggs as they are fertilized prior to freezing which takes guess work out of the equation. Unlike eggs, embryos can be studied as they develop, allowing embryologists to identify issues/genetic diseases. This gives women an insight into the quality of the frozen embryo.

And although freezing embryos has its advantages, it is not the suitable option for everyone. If a woman is single and does not want a sperm donor, it is preferable for her to freeze her eggs only. If a woman is committed/okay with a sperm donor she can freeze her eggs and embryos both - the choice depends on what the woman is going for.