IVF is Growing, But Transport Is Being Overlooked
More people are using IVF than ever before. According to the CDC, over 91,000 babies were born through assisted reproductive technology (ART) in the U.S. in 2021. IVF is no longer rare. It’s becoming a normal part of how families are built.
But there’s one part of the process that often gets ignored. It’s not the injections. Not the egg retrieval. Not the embryo transfer. It’s transport—how embryos, eggs, and sperm are moved from one clinic or lab to another.
This step might seem small, but it’s not. In fact, it might be the most fragile part of the entire process. And it’s one of the least talked about.
Why Embryos Need Safe, Temperature-Controlled Shipping
Embryos and eggs are stored in special tanks at cryogenic temperatures—around -196°C using liquid nitrogen vapour. That’s not a casual shipping condition. One small mistake in transport can damage or destroy the tissue. That’s someone’s embryo. Someone’s future baby.
This tissue can’t be left at the door or delayed in shipping like a birthday gift. It has to be closely monitored, carefully packed, and handled by trained professionals who know what they’re doing.
Don Fish, co-founder of IVF CRYO, puts it simply:
“People assume it’s handled with the same care as a medical procedure. But sometimes it’s not. And patients don’t find out until it’s too late.”
No Standard = High Risk
Here’s the shocking part. In the United States, there’s no universal standard for how reproductive tissue should be shipped. Every clinic has its own process. Some clinics handle shipping in-house. Others leave it to general couriers or outside services without clear protocols.
That creates risk. No monitoring. No tracking. No clear accountability. No one to call if something goes wrong.
It’s not that doctors or labs don’t care. They just don’t specialise in transport. Their job is to create embryos and help families conceive—not manage cross-country shipping logistics.
That’s where things can break down.
Real Stories, Real Consequences
There was a case where a couple had only one embryo left after years of treatment. The embryo had to be moved across the country to a new clinic. The couple was told it would be “taken care of.” But they had no details. No timeline. No contact from the courier.
They were terrified. They had no idea where their embryo was for two full days. In the end, it arrived safely. But the stress they went through? Completely avoidable.
“That’s not just a package. That’s someone’s last shot at a child,” said Don Fish. “We’ve had people cry with relief when we explain our process. That shouldn’t be rare.”
What Safe Transport Should Look Like
Good transport means consistency. It means control. It means doing the same steps every single time—no shortcuts, no guessing.
Here’s what a safe embryo or egg shipment should include:
- A secure tank with validated temperature control
- Continuous monitoring throughout the trip
- Trained personnel who understand reproductive tissue
- Real-time tracking and updates for the patient or clinic
- Chain-of-custody documentation from start to finish
If your clinic or courier can’t explain these things in clear language, that’s a red flag.
Patients Deserve Better
Patients are often left out of the shipping conversation. They’re focused on medications, timelines, and emotional stress. Transport gets buried in the details.
But if something goes wrong during shipping, it can erase months—or years—of effort. And most patients never know what to ask.
Don Fish believes it’s time for a change.
“We always tell patients: ask five questions before you ship anything. Who’s doing it? How is it being tracked? What’s the backup plan? What’s the carrier’s experience? Can you see the protocol?”
Simple questions. Big impact.
Why Clinics Should Reconsider DIY Shipping
Some clinics try to manage transport themselves to save money or avoid adding another vendor. But that adds risk—for both the clinic and the patient.
If something goes wrong, it’s unclear who’s responsible. And if the clinic doesn’t have a clear transport protocol, it may be working outside its comfort zone.
Working with a reproductive tissue shipping expert ensures that the most fragile step is being handled by someone whose only job is to get that embryo to the right place, at the right time, in the right condition.
IVF CRYO, for example, only focuses on one thing: transporting reproductive tissue safely. They’ve built an entire business around that single mission.
Actionable Tips for Patients
If you’re going through IVF, here’s what you can do right now:
1. Ask your clinic how your tissue will be shipped.
Don’t assume it’s automatic. Ask who’s handling it and what the process looks like.
2. Request details about the courier.
How do they keep the tissue cold? Who monitors it? What happens in a delay?
3. Get a copy of the shipping protocol.
Ask to see the steps involved. If they can’t show you, ask why.
4. Ask for proof of experience.
Has this shipping service done similar transports before? How many?
5. Speak up if you’re unsure.
You have the right to know. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—even if it feels awkward.
What the Industry Needs Now
As IVF continues to grow, so does the need for better transport standards. Clinics, labs, and patients all benefit from more transparency, better training, and stronger partnerships with shipping professionals.
This isn’t about regulation. It’s about responsibility. Every embryo matters. Every egg matters. Every patient deserves to feel confident that the journey between labs won’t undo everything they’ve been through.
“Our job is to protect future families,” says Don Fish. “That’s not just our slogan. That’s our standard.”
Final Thought
Embryo transport may not get the headlines. But it’s one of the most critical steps in the IVF process. As more families turn to reproductive medicine, now is the time to shine a light on the missing link that makes it all possible—and makes it all safe.
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