Minimize Surplus Embryos


More patients are favoring egg freezing during their in-vitro fertilization IVF cycle to avoid some of the ethical dilemmas surrounding frozen surplus embryos. Women can choose to freeze surplus eggs instead of embryos for religious and ethical reasons. An embryo is the earliest stage of development where the sperm has already fertilized the egg. Unlike an embryo, the egg is a single unfertilized cell that is that would be simpler to discard when no longer needed.

The picture shows a magnified laboratory image of a mature egg (oocyte) surrounded by supporting cells.

Freezing Surplus Eggs After IVF

After undergoing IVF, Stephanie and Rob chose to freeze their surplus eggs instead of embryos. As needed later, the eggs were thawed and fertilized to create embryos that are then transferred to the uterus for a pregnancy attempt.

What happens to extra embryos after IVF?

Read this article on CNN Health about personal stories and options for unused embryos.