What Is Embryo Freezing and Why Is It Important for IVF in Kharadi, Pune?

Published by Dr. Rajendra Shitole | IRSA Fertility – IVF & Endoscopy Clinic, Kharadi, Pune | Updated 2026

Key Takeaways Vitrification achieves 90 to 95 percent embryo survival on thawing — making frozen cycles highly reliable at IRSA Fertility, Kharadi.The freeze-all strategy is now the standard recommendation for PCOS patients and high responders — it eliminates OHSS risk entirely.Frozen embryo transfer (FET) success rates are comparable to or better than fresh transfer in most patient groups (PubMed 2022).Surplus embryos from one IVF cycle in Pune can be stored for up to 10 years — covering second children, repeat attempts, and future cycles.Annual embryo storage at IRSA Fertility Kharadi costs INR 10,000 to 20,000 per year under ICMR 2024 guidelines.IRSA Fertility serves patients from Kharadi, Viman Nagar, Wagholi, Hadapsar, Kalyani Nagar, and across Pune East.

When couples in Kharadi and nearby areas of Pune start their IVF journey, one topic that comes up early is embryo freezing. Some arrive already knowing about it. Others have heard the term but are not sure where it fits in the treatment process. Either way, it is worth understanding properly — because the decision around freezing embryos can meaningfully affect both your short-term safety and your long-term chances of building a family.

At IRSA Fertility in Kharadi, embryo freezing using vitrification technology is a routine part of how IVF is practised. It is not a backup option. For many patients, particularly those with PCOS, it is the first-choice approach.

What Is Embryo Freezing in IVF?

Embryo freezing — also called cryopreservation — is the process of preserving fertilised embryos after an IVF cycle so they can be used in a future transfer. After eggs are retrieved and fertilised in the laboratory, the resulting embryos are cultured for three to five days. Those that develop well are graded and either transferred immediately (fresh transfer) or frozen for use later.

The frozen embryos are stored at -196 degrees Celsius in liquid nitrogen tanks. At this temperature, all biological activity stops. The embryos do not change or age. They remain in exactly the same state as the day they were frozen, whether you use them in six months or five years.

How Vitrification Changed Embryo Freezing in Pune

The reason embryo freezing became as reliable as it is today comes down to one technological shift — vitrification. Earlier slow-freezing methods caused ice crystals to form inside embryo cells during the cooling process. These crystals would damage or destroy the cell walls, leading to poor embryo survival when thawed.

Vitrification works differently. The embryo is cooled so rapidly — within milliseconds using liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees Celsius — that water molecules inside the cells have no time to form crystals. They instead pass into a glass-like solid state, which preserves the cell structure completely.

The practical outcome is significant. At IRSA Fertility in Kharadi, embryo survival rates after vitrification and thawing reach 90 to 95 percent. This is a dramatic improvement on the 60 to 70 percent survival rates that older slow-freeze methods produced. For couples going through IVF in Pune, this means frozen embryos are now as viable as fresh ones — and in some cases more so.

Quick Reference: Embryo Freezing at IRSA Fertility, Kharadi

Vitrification survival rate	90 to 95 percent
FET success rate (under 35)	45 to 55 percent per transfer
Annual storage fee (Kharadi)	INR 10,000 to 20,000
Maximum storage period (India)	10 years per ICMR 2024
Freeze-all: recommended for	PCOS patients and high responders
First-year storage	Typically included in IVF package
Clinic location	Kul Scapes, Velstand, Kharadi, Pune 411014
Contact	082084 22881

Embryo Freezing Statistics for Pune and Kharadi Patients

Metric	Data Point	Source
Vitrification embryo survival rate	90 to 95 percent	Industry estimate
FET success rate (under 35)	45 to 55 percent per transfer	ICMR 2024
FET vs fresh transfer	Comparable or better for most patients	PubMed 2022
Freeze-all adoption in India	Rising — now standard for PCOS	Industry estimate
Annual embryo storage fee (Kharadi / PCMC)	INR 10,000 to 20,000	Clinic estimate
Maximum legal storage period – India	10 years	ICMR 2024

The Freeze-All Strategy: Why It Matters for PCOS Patients in Kharadi

The freeze-all strategy means that after egg retrieval and fertilisation, no embryos are transferred immediately. All viable embryos are frozen, and the transfer happens in a separate cycle weeks or months later once the body has recovered from stimulation.

Dr. Rajendra Shitole recommends freeze-all as the standard approach for PCOS patients and high responders at IRSA Fertility, Kharadi. The reasons are practical and well-supported by evidence.

Advantage 1: Eliminating OHSS Risk

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is the most serious short-term complication of IVF. It occurs when the ovaries over-respond to stimulation medications — causing swelling, fluid accumulation, and in severe cases, hospitalisation. Women with PCOS are significantly more prone to OHSS.

When the transfer is cancelled and all embryos are frozen, OHSS resolves on its own over 7 to 10 days. There is nothing to treat and no risk of OHSS being worsened by the hormonal changes of early pregnancy. For PCOS patients at IRSA Fertility in Kharadi, this is not a contingency — it is the planned approach from the start.

Advantage 2: Better Conditions in the Uterus

During a stimulation cycle, oestrogen levels are far higher than in a natural cycle. This can reduce endometrial receptivity — meaning the uterine lining may not be in the best condition to receive an embryo at the end of stimulation. Research published in PubMed in 2022 supports that frozen embryo transfer outcomes are comparable to or better than fresh transfer in most patient groups, partly because the uterus is prepared in a calmer hormonal environment.

Advantage 3: Making the Most of Each Egg Retrieval

A productive stimulation cycle can produce multiple blastocysts. Freezing all of them means sequential FET cycles are possible without further egg retrieval. This reduces cost, reduces physical burden, and extends the value of a single IVF cycle — which is especially relevant for families in Kharadi and nearby Pune areas who are budget-conscious or who want more than one child.

Advantage	What It Means for You in Kharadi / Pune
No OHSS risk	Freezing all embryos lets your body recover before transfer, completely eliminating the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome — a serious complication especially common in PCOS patients.
Better uterine lining	In a separate frozen embryo transfer cycle, the uterus is prepared in a calmer hormonal environment. This can improve implantation rates compared to a fresh transfer done straight after stimulation.
Second child from one retrieval	Families across Kharadi, Viman Nagar, Wagholi and Hadapsar regularly use embryos frozen in their first IVF cycle to have a second child years later — without the cost and physical load of another full stimulation cycle.
Multiple chances from one cycle	If the first transfer does not result in a pregnancy, frozen embryos can be used in subsequent cycles. This means one stimulation cycle gives you several attempts at parenthood.

How Embryo Freezing Works at IRSA Fertility Kharadi: Step by Step

Stage	Timing	What Happens
Embryo culture	Days 1 to 5 post-retrieval	Fertilised eggs develop to blastocyst stage in the IRSA lab
Blastocyst grading	Day 5	Embryologist grades each blastocyst for expansion, inner cell mass, and trophectoderm
Vitrification	Day 5 to 6	Best embryos loaded into cryostraws and flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen
Cryostorage	Ongoing	Straws stored at -196 degrees Celsius in dedicated liquid nitrogen tanks
Annual renewal	Each anniversary	Patient confirms continued storage and renews consent and annual fee
Thaw for FET	When patient is ready	Embryo warmed, viability confirmed, transferred to uterus the same day

How Long Can Embryos Be Stored Near Kharadi, Pune?

Under ICMR 2024 guidelines, embryos can be stored for a maximum of 10 years in India. IRSA Fertility follows this framework fully. Annual written consent and storage fee renewal are required to keep embryos in storage beyond the first year.

The clinic sends annual renewal reminders with a clear summary of embryo status — how many are stored, their grade, and their storage location. This documentation is important, particularly for couples who plan to use their embryos years later for a second child.

This is a pattern Dr. Shitole sees regularly among patients from Kharadi, Wagholi, Viman Nagar, and Hadapsar — couples who complete their first IVF cycle, have a healthy child, and return two to four years later to use a frozen embryo for their second. One stimulation cycle, two children. The cost and medical burden of the second pregnancy are dramatically reduced.

Emotional and Ethical Dimensions of Embryo Freezing in Pune

For most families in Pune, frozen embryos carry real emotional weight. They are not just biological specimens — they represent potential children, and the decisions around them deserve careful thought and honest counselling.

At IRSA Fertility in Kharadi, Dr. Shitole’s team has structured conversations around this before any embryo is frozen. These include:

• What happens to stored embryos if the couple separates or divorces?
• What happens if one partner passes away during the storage period?
• What are the options if the couple decides not to use their frozen embryos in future?
• Can embryos be donated to another couple or to medical research?

All these questions have clear legal frameworks under the ART Regulation Act 2021 and ICMR guidelines, and all decisions are documented in writing. No embryo is discarded, donated, or allowed to perish without explicit written consent from both partners.

These are not easy conversations, but they matter. Having them at the start means no family is left uncertain about what their choices are — or were — at a difficult time.

IVF Embryo Freezing Near Me: Serving Kharadi, Viman Nagar, Wagholi, Hadapsar and Pune East

IRSA Fertility in Kharadi is one of the most accessible IVF centres for patients living in eastern Pune. The clinic at Kul Scapes, Velstand is within easy reach of Viman Nagar, Wagholi, Hadapsar, Koregaon Park, Kalyani Nagar, and Nagar Road — areas that have seen significant population growth in recent years and where demand for quality fertility care has grown with it.

If you are researching embryo freezing IVF near Kharadi or looking for an IVF specialist in Pune East, IRSA Fertility offers consultation appointments with Dr. Shitole directly. The team can walk you through how embryo freezing fits into your specific treatment plan before any decisions are made.

Clinic Location & Contact IRSA Fertility – IVF & Endoscopy Clinic 2nd Floor, Kul Scapes, Office 205/206, Above Apollo Clinic, Velstand, Kharadi, Pune, Maharashtra 411014 Phone: 082084 22881 Website: drrajendrashitoleivfdoctor.com Nearest areas served: Kharadi | Viman Nagar | Wagholi | Hadapsar | Kalyani Nagar | Koregaon Park | Nagar Road

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions – Embryo Freezing IVF Kharadi Pune
Is vitrification safe for embryos?	Yes. Vitrification is the gold standard in embryo cryopreservation worldwide. At IRSA Fertility in Kharadi, survival rates on thawing are 90 to 95 percent. Babies born from vitrified embryos show no higher rate of birth defects than those from fresh cycles.
How much does embryo storage cost near Kharadi, Pune?	The first year of embryo storage is typically included in the IVF package. Annual renewal costs between INR 10,000 and 20,000 per year. Storage is legally permitted for up to 10 years under ICMR 2024 guidelines.
Should I choose freeze-all or do a fresh embryo transfer?	For PCOS patients and women who respond strongly to stimulation, freeze-all is strongly recommended at IRSA Fertility. It eliminates OHSS risk and often improves implantation outcomes. For women with a normal response and good uterine lining, fresh transfer is still a good option. Dr. Shitole will recommend what fits your specific cycle.
Can I use my frozen embryos from Kharadi for a second child?	Yes. Many couples in Pune use embryos frozen in their first IVF cycle for a second child two to five years later. As long as storage consent is renewed annually and the embryos survive thawing, they can be used in a FET cycle at any point within the 10-year limit.
What happens to frozen embryos I do not end up using?	You can donate them to another couple with full legal consent, donate them for medical research, or allow them to perish by stopping storage. Dr. Shitole’s team at IRSA Fertility will counsel you on all three options before any embryo is frozen. Nothing is done without written consent from both partners.
Are frozen embryo transfers as successful as fresh IVF in Kharadi?	Yes, and in some cases better. FET success rates are 45 to 55 percent per transfer for women under 35. For PCOS patients, the calmer hormonal environment of a FET cycle often produces better endometrial conditions than a fresh transfer done immediately after ovarian stimulation.

Clinic Address: 2nd Floor, Kul Scapes, Office 205/206, Above Apollo Clinic, Velstand, Kharadi, Pune 411014

Phone: 082084 22881