Thinking about moving your embryos between IVF clinics? Here’s exactly what happens, from start to finish

The decision to switch fertility clinics is no small thing. And, if you’ve already had a round of IVF treatment (or more) in one location, moving embryos between clinics might well become a necessary reality for you, wherever you’re heading next.

As some of us on Team TRB know from very personal experience, navigating a family-building journey takes up a lot of brain space. There’s so much to juggle, and things can often feel difficult emotionally. So, we’ve partnered with Medair Global to bring you the lowdown on moving embryos from one clinic to another – minus the faff, and with as little stress as possible.

Medair Global is a specialist IVF and life science transport provider offering cutting-edge, hand-carry frozen embryo shipping around the world, with support from a warm, dedicated, and genuinely meticulous team.

Hop over to their website here to learn more about their decades of experience, trusted global network, and how they make sure your shipments are always transported safely, legally, and with the utmost care.

Now, let’s get into the clear, step-by-step breakdown of what embryo relocation actually involves, and how working with the right logistics provider can make all the difference.

How to move embryos from one clinic to another – getting started

First, though, let’s clear something up. You can only move or ship embryos that have been frozen.

Fresh embryos aren’t suitable for transport, as they need to be transferred shortly after fertilization. 

But if you do have embryos in storage on ice, moving frozen embryos to a new clinic ​– whether that’s in the same city or overseas – is absolutely possible, with the right kind of shipping support. 

Here’s how it works.

Moving embryos between clinics, step by step

Step 1: Confirm – can you transfer embryos to another clinic?

Usually, the answer will be yes – but before your embryos can be shipped, your new fertility clinic must agree to receive them. 

Most clinics require an internal review and some paperwork to ensure compatibility with their own policies and compliance points.

And, depending on where you are in the world, there may be local regulations to consider here, too. 

Once approved, your new clinic will usually provide specific shipping instructions and address details.

Step 2: Notify your original clinic

Next, you’ll need to inform your current clinic that you plan to transfer your embryos. 

This usually means: 

• filling out a few more consent forms
• and in some cases, signing a release authorization

Every clinic handles this step a little differently, so it’s worth getting in touch early on and asking exactly what they need from you.

Step 3: Choose a specialized medical logistics provider

Choosing the right provider to take care of your embryo shipment is a really important step.

There are certain questions and personal preferences you might want to keep in mind when making your choice, including:

• Costs, and what their pricing options include
• Whether they offer support with legal and customs documents
• How insurance might work
• Whether you’d prefer hand-carry vs cargo shipping options

This is where a provider like Medair Global comes in. Unlike standard couriers, they passionately specialize in life science transport, including cryogenic shipments of embryos and gametes worldwide.

And another big tick? This means they’re well placed to take care of every step, from preparing the dry shipper and managing paperwork to clearing customs and providing you with real-time tracking. 

Step 4: Plan the shipment

Once both clinics are aligned and the initial paperwork is sorted, your logistics provider should step in to coordinate the final details with everyone involved. 

With Medair Global, they’ll make sure everything runs smoothly from start to finish, with no surprises along the way. This includes:

• Transparent pickup and delivery dates
• Packaging type (usually a liquid nitrogen dry shipper)
• Maintainence of temperature stability and duration
• Route and carrier selection
• Management of customs documentation (for international shipments)

Medair Global also checks in with both clinics to make sure the handoff and reception processes are fully in place so that when the shipper arrives, everything is ready to go.

Step 5: Embryo pickup and transport

Shipment day will look a little different depending on your chosen provider.

Here’s what you can expect with Medair Global:

• A trained medical courier collects your embryos using a cryogenic container designed to maintain the required temperature (typically around -196°C) for the entire journey. These containers are built to keep conditions stable for several days, even during long-distance transport.
• Strict chain-of-custody procedures will be followed at every stage, so there’s always a clear record of who has handled the shipper and when. 
• You’ll also have access to live tracking, so you can follow the progress of your shipment in real time.

Step 6: Safe delivery 

Once the embryos arrive at the destination clinic, safe delivery will be confirmed. Medair Global will share: 

• Checking and sharing key details like the temperature readings throughout the journey
• An update on the total time in transit
• All relevant delivery documentation

The receiving clinic is then able to log the arrival, review the records, and prepare the embryos for storage or next steps, knowing they’ve arrived in safe condition.

Thinking about moving embryos from one clinic to another? 

Here are four reasons to make Medair Global your go-to:

1. Global reach: They move reproductive materials between clinics across continents or provinces with our extensive network.
2. Expert handling: Their specialists understand IVF regulations, customs, and clinic coordination.
3. Dedicated support: You’ll never feel left in the dark – their friendly team is always available for updates and reassurance.
4. Proven track record: Trusted by leading fertility clinics and patients for mission-critical shipments.

Want to learn more? Head to Medair Global’s website and explore their dedicated IVF logistics pages, or get in touch with their team directly for a quote.