Whether you’re seeking a clinic with higher success rates or shipping your embryos to your surrogate’s clinic, transferring embryos from one clinic to another allows flexibility in your family-building journey.
This process involves careful coordination and protocols to ensure your embryos are delivered safely and securely.
No matter where you are on your path to becoming a parent, we’re here for you. It could be early in the process, maybe you’ve already tried a few in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles or you’re at the point where you are looking into surrogacy.
Below, we’ll cover everything about transferring embryos to another clinic, from why and how to the costs involved.
Can Frozen Embryos Be Transferred to Another Clinic?
Yes, transferring embryos from one clinic to another is an option. There are multiple reasons why you may need to move them:
You may be seeking treatment at a fertility clinic with higher success rates or advanced technology. You are moving and want to transfer your embryos to a new fertility clinic or storage facility closer to your new home. You may decide to ship your embryos closer to your surrogate’s fertility clinic for the embryo transfer
If your embryos are ready to transfer right now and you’ve been thinking about surrogacy as a family building option, we can match you with a surrogate in an average of 1-6 months after starting with us. Fill out our online contact form to find out more about surrogacy.
The evolution of embryo preservation, specifically freezing, has changed in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Having issues with fertility, being a same-sex couple or any of those reasons listed above are not nearly as big of a barrier to parenthood as in the past due to the ability to freeze and move frozen embryos from one clinic to another for later use.
Is It Safe to Transfer Embryos to Another Clinic?
Yes, it is safe to transfer embryos. Transporting human cells or tissues that are implanted, transplanted, infused or transferred into a human recipient in the U.S. is strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, ensuring standards and protocols are followed.
What to Know When Transferring Embryos to Another Clinic
When it comes to moving embryos from one clinic to another, you need to think about the logistics of that transfer, from how you’ll do it to what it costs.
Freezing embryos can preserve them for later use but transporting them takes special care to ensure they are kept at a temperature that doesn’t destroy the genetic material.
There are three ways you can transfer embryos from one clinic to another:
Shipping them yourself is typically the cheapest route for moving embryos between clinics but usually only makes sense if the clinics involved are close to each other. Your clinic will coordinate the entire process, from preparation to delivery, adhering to their embryo shipping standards. These companies are equipped with the latest technology and follow strict protocols to ensure the safe handling and delivery of your embryos.
From the packaging of your frozen embryos in temperature-controlled containers to the constant monitoring of their conditions upon transit, your embryos will be well taken care of in transit.
How to Transfer Embryos to Another Clinic
These four steps are a general way to start the transfer of embryos from one clinic to another.
- Step 1: Contact the clinics and initiate the process.
- Step 2: Wait for clinics to determine eligibility.
- Step 3: Sign the consent paperwork.
- Step 4: Establish a shipping method and time.
What is the Cost to Transport Frozen Embryos to Another Clinic
The average cost is $1,000-$3,000 but the actual number fluctuates and is based on:
- Your clinic’s cost estimates
- Whether they use a shipping company designed
Budgeting for the IVF and surrogacy journey should include the cost to transport frozen embryos to another clinic.
If that cost doesn’t end up being needed, then no harm no foul. But if you change clinics, move or need to send them your surrogate, then that unexpected expense could come back to affect your journey.
Whether you’re looking for a new clinic for your IVF journey, or you are considering surrogacy, we can help you get started. Having embryos means you able to be matched with a surrogate, bringing you one step closer to starting your family. Reach out to us today.