Transporting Frozen Embryos

[Anonymous]

Has anyone ever done this? I have embryos frozen at a clinic in my former city, and I would like to have them moved to SG. I am assured by both clinics that it is a fairly regular thing to do, but both clinics' release forms have scary warnings on them, and I am thinking twice. The other option is to fly to the old city, pick up the embryos in their frozen case, and fly back (can't imagine how fun it would be to go thru security with a nitrogen tank). I will do this if I have to, but I would love to hear some reassuring words from others who have been in this position and have safely and successfully had them sent (I kid you not, I think they literally use FedEx + nitrogen tanks that last up to a week).

[Anonymous]

Have you checked with SG to see if they will accept embryos created at another clinic? When I checked a few years ago, they wouldn't.

[Anonymous]

I just had my embryos transferred from one IVF center to another IVF center in another country. They were transferred by a scientist in a car, twenty minutes away. I asked my doctor if I could transfer them overseas and he would not agree to it because he has had patients lose their embroys because they were not transported properly.

[Anonymous]

Earlier this year we moved our frozen embryos from a clinic in Europe to Dominion Fertility. Our old clinic in Europe was pretty used to the processes that had to be followed for this, and Dominion, with a bit of follow-up and nudging, was great too. We'd originally consulted with SG (Annandale office) about this, and got the feedback that they were open to the idea, but had never really done this before, and would require us to manage and set up the entire process and store the embryos at a third-party lab. After that explanation the doc immediately starting getting us ready for the regular IVF protocol. Needless to say, we didn't return and instead were very impressed with Dominion's can-do attitude in this regard (they'd done a few international embryo shipments already). And yes, it does get shipped by a specialist carrier - I dont think you can just carry it yourself through security - lots of forms to be filled in..

[Anonymous]

I live in Korea and my husband's sperm had to be transported to Dominion Fertility to complete a donor cycle. It took a lot of coordination, but Awie Botes, DF's lab director, was on top of everything. It is difficult and you need a lot of communication with the two clinics, but it's worth it to complete a cycle.

[Anonymous]

21:46 here. In response to 18:05, that was exactly our experience. It's difficult but doable, but you need a clinic that knows what they're doing and are willing to work with you.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the words of wisdom. I can tell already that this is going to be a giant pain, but it seems like it will ultimately work out just fine. Thanks very much!

[Anonymous]

To the OP- may I ask why you are interested in transferring your frozen embryos to another clinic? What factors did you look into... why Shady Grove... etc?

I have frozen embryos and I obviously want to maximize my chances of success with them when I move forward with them in the future.. mine are actually at Shady Grove right now.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Plain and simple - we moved. Our last clinic is on the other side of the country, and between transporting the embryos (assuming it's safe) and cycling from out of town, we decided on the former. We had initial consults with several clinics in the area and was generally very impressed with SG. I know they have a "factory" reputation, but my clinic on the West Coast was a "factory" too, and frankly that is what I liked about them -- i.e., they were very experienced with a high quality lab, etc. Plus I have a coworker who has had two successes with SG and will sing their praises at any opportunity.

I've read (and have been told by several RE's) that success rates for FET's are tied to the clinic where the frozen embryos were created, assuming the clinic transferring them doesn't make an idiot mistake.