To freeze or not to freeze embryos: clarity, confusion and conflict

Abstract

Although embryo freezing is a routine clinical practice, there is little contemporary evidence on how couples make the decision to freeze their surplus embryos, or of their perceptions during that time. This article describes a qualitative study of 16 couples who have had in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. The study question was ‘What are the personal and social factors that patients consider when deciding whether to freeze embryos?’ We show that while the desire for a baby is the dominant drive, couples’ views revealed more nuanced and complex considerations in the decision-making process. It was clear that the desire to have a baby influenced couples’ decision-making and that they saw freezing as ‘part of the process’. However, there were confusions associated with the term ‘freezing’ related to concerns about the safety of the procedure. Despite being given written information, couples were confused about the practical aspects of embryo freezing, which suggests they were preoccupied with the immediate demands of IVF. Couples expressed ethical conflicts about freezing ‘babies’. We hope the findings from this study will inform clinicians and assist them in providing support to couples confronted with this difficult decision-making.

Keywords: :

• Cryopreservation
• embryo freezing
• decision-making

Authors’ roles

M. Goswami co-designed and implemented the study design, conducted the interviews, analysed and interpreted the results, and drafted the article.

A.P. Murdoch had overall responsibility for the post-graduate study of which this work was one part and was involved in co-design, analysis and interpretation of the data, revising the article critically for intellectual content, and in final approval of the version to be published.

E. Haimes co-designed the study, provided support for the analysis and interpretation of the data, revising the article critically for intellectual content, and in final approval of the version to be published.

Funding

This study was funded by the fertility research fund of the Newcastle Fertility Centre for Life.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the patients of the Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life, and to all the staff who helped in recruiting the patients for interviews.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.