What Happens to My Embryos Once They're Frozen?

Understanding Embryo Storage and Shipping

Freezing embryos, also known as embryo banking, is a powerful decision—one that provides flexibility, hope, and more control over your family planning. But after finishing your cryopreservation cycle, you may be wondering: Where do my frozen embryos go now? How do I know they’re safe? What if I move or change clinics later on?

These are valid and important questions. This article walks you through what typically happens after retrieval and freezing, how storage works, and what you should know about safely transporting your frozen embryos.

From Clinic to Storage: How are my embryos frozen?

Once your embryos are retrieved and frozen using a method called vitrification (a flash-freezing process that uses liquid nitrogen), they’re often kept in a specialized tank at your fertility clinic. However, not all clinics are equipped for long-term storage so some of them will require that you ship out to a long-term storage facility if you are not actively pursuing treatment.

In many cases, embryos are transferred to dedicated long-term cryostorage facilities. These facilities are designed with advanced equipment and strict monitoring to ensure your frozen eggs, embryos, or sperm remain safe and stable—sometimes for years or even decades.

How Are My Frozen Embryos Stored?

Frozen embryos are stored in tanks filled with liquid nitrogen, which maintains a temperature of approximately -196°C. At this temperature, all biological activity is halted, preserving the integrity of your embryos for the future.

These tanks are not your average freezers. They’re built with multiple safety layers, including:

• Redundant temperature controls to prevent fluctuations
• Real-time monitoring systems to detect any anomalies immediately
• Emergency backups in case of power outages or natural disasters
• Limited access protocols to ensure only authorized personnel can access the embryos

Many storage facilities also use unique tagging systems or barcoding to ensure that each sample is easily identifiable and carefully tracked.

Can Frozen Embryos Be Shipped?

Yes! Many patients do transfer their frozen embryos to another location at some point. You might change clinics, relocate, or decide to store your embryos at a new facility. Whatever the reason, embryo shipping is a common and well-established part of the fertility journey.

Embryos are moved using specialized cryoshipping tanks designed to maintain safe, stable temperatures during transit. These tanks are prepared in advance, and the transport process is typically handled by professionals experienced in moving sensitive biological material.

If you're considering a move, you can work with your clinic to coordinate the transfer—or request it directly through a cryotransport provider. CryoFuture, a trusted partner of Sunfish, offers nationwide transportation and storage services. Reach out to Sunfish to learn more about discounted rates available through the Sunfish IVF Success Bundle.

Questions to Ask About Embryo Storage and Transport

If you’re navigating tissue storage or considering moving your embryos to a new location, here are a few helpful questions to ask your clinic or storage provider:

• Where will my embryos be stored long term?
• Are there any risks to embryo transportation? 
• How are the tanks monitored and secured?
• How can I monitor the safety of my embryos?
• What happens if there’s a power outage or emergency?
• Who would handle shipping my embryos if I change clinics?
• How is my identity and privacy protected?
• What are your embryo storage costs? 

Asking these questions can help you feel more empowered and assured in your journey.

Why It Matters

Preserving your fertility is more than a medical process—it’s a deeply personal investment. Knowing your embryos are being safely stored and can be transported when needed helps reduce stress and create space for what matters most: planning your future family.

Whether you’re years away from using your embryos or preparing for a transfer now, understanding what happens behind the scenes is a crucial part of informed decision-making.

Need storage or transportation support?

Sunfish partners with CryoFuture, a trusted provider specializing in the storage and safe transport of frozen eggs, embryos, and sperm. CryoFuture’s facilities are built for long-term safety, featuring F5-rated, seismically tested vaults, triple-redundant monitoring, five-point facility security, and HIPAA-compliant tracking systems. Their medically trained couriers ensure embryos are handled with expert care from start to finish. If you’re planning a move or looking for peace of mind about where your embryos are stored, CryoFuture offers the kind of reliable, technology-forward support Sunfish patients can count on.