Step-by-Step Egg Freezing Process

Egg freezing offer women the chance to delay motherhood and preserve their fertility for longer. Over the years, while protocols, techniques, and even medicines used may have changed, the process of egg freezing remains the same. Egg freezing is quick, safe, and convenient: a procedure that directly helps many women live more free, enriched lives. In this comprehensive guide, we discuss the step-by-step egg freezing process and help you decide whether it is the right option for you.

What Is Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing is a process in which a woman’s eggs are collected and preserved by freezing them at extremely low temperatures. She can use these eggs in the future to have children via IVF. This method is usually used to preserve fertility, either for personal or medical reasons.

The Step-by-Step Egg Freezing Process

The egg-freezing process shares many similarities with the IVF process. The first three steps of the process (consultation, ovarian stimulation, and egg retrieval) are the same, but the rest of the processes differ. On average, one egg-freezing cycle takes approximately two weeks.

Step 1: Initial Consultation (Day 1)

A comprehensive fertility consultation is usually the first step of the egg freezing process. In your consultation, you’ll discuss whether egg freezing is the right choice for you. You’ll give the specialist your medical history and talk about your fertility goals.

You will also undergo fertility testing to evaluate your current reproductive health. Your fertility specialist will order a few different tests, like blood work, hormone tests, and ultrasounds, to assess your ovarian reserve and overall fertility. 

Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation (Day 3-20)

The next step in the egg freezing process is ovarian stimulation. You’ll have to receive hormone injections for roughly 10 to 14 days, which will stimulate your ovaries into producing multiple mature eggs. Your response to the medication will be monitored through blood tests and ultrasounds. Ultrasounds will 

Getting more eggs increases your chances of a pregnancy with egg freezing. You will receive regular ultrasound scans, which will help your doctors identify the size and number of your follicles. When your follicles have reached the right size, you will receive an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). It is also called the trigger shot.

Step 3: Egg Retrieval (Day 20-22)

The next step is transvaginal oocyte retrieval, commonly called egg retrieval. The egg retrieval will take place approximately 34 to 36 hours after the trigger shot. You will be sedated for this procedure and will not feel any pain or discomfort. First, the reproductive endocrinologist uses an ultrasound probe to locate your follicles, which are fluid-filled egg sacs in your ovaries. They then insert a thin needle into each follicle and collect the fluid from them. 

An embryologist separates the eggs from the fluid. The entire process takes only 20 to 30 minutes. Usually we retrieve about 10-20 eggs per cycle.

Step 4: Egg Freezing (Day ~23)

Once the eggs have been retrieved, it’s time to freeze and store them. Your eggs are frozen through a technique called vitrification, which is a method of fast freezing using liquid nitrogen. The eggs are rapidly cooled to a temperature of -196°C, which prevents ice crystals from forming while they freeze. Then, they are stored in liquid nitrogen tanks until they need to be used.

Step 5: Embryo Transfer

When you want to use your frozen eggs, they will be thawed and fertilized with sperm from a partner or a donor. Next, an embryologist will first select the most viable embryos for transfer. They will then place a single embryo in a thin, flexible catheter and insert the tube through your cervix into your uterus. They will then gently place the embryo in the uterus and remove the catheter. Approximately two weeks after transfer, your clinic will conduct a pregnancy test.

Why Do Women Choose Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing is a highly effective form of fertility preservation. Women choose to undergo this treatment for multiple reasons.

Waiting For a Partner

Some women may want to find a partner before thinking about having children. Some women may already have a partner who doesn’t feel comfortable or is not willing to have children in the present.

Health or Genetic Risks

Certain medical conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and premature ovarian failure can make it harder to conceive. Women who suffer from such conditions are recommended to freeze their eggs as a precautionary measure, as they may find it even more difficult to get pregnant in the future.

Career Goals or Education

Nowadays, women want to finish their education or focus on their careers before starting a family. They choose to delay parenthood by freezing their eggs.

Family Planning

Some couples may not feel ready to have children now but may want them in the future. Egg freezing helps them plan ahead without risking any complications due to advanced maternal age.

Medical Treatments

Certain medical treatments like chemotherapy can potentially harm a woman’s fertility. Egg freezing allows them to preserve their fertility prior to such medical treatments or surgeries.

Factors Affecting Success Rates of Egg Freezing

The success rate of egg freezing depends on several factors, such as age, health, and the quality and quantity of eggs.

Age

 Age is considered the most defining factor for the success rates of egg freezing. Women over 35 have lower success rates with egg freezing compared to those who are younger. Most fertility specialists recommend freezing your eggs before 35 as both egg quality and quantity are at their peak. Women in their late 30s may need to go through multiple egg freezing cycles to freeze enough eggs for a successful pregnancy.

Egg Quality

Certain health conditions, such as PCOS, endometriosis, and autoimmune disorders, can impact fertility. These conditions can lower egg quality. 

Egg Quantity

Freezing a larger number of eggs provides better success rates, as more eggs equal more embryos, which equals more shots at pregnancy. Women with PCOS may have a higher ovarian reserve, but most of these eggs may not be of good quality.

Clinic Expertise

The skill and expertise of a clinic also affects success rates with egg freezing. Skilled embryologists and fertility specialists can correctly identify and implement the most effective egg freezing protocols, while incompetent medical care can result in poor results and wasted efforts.

Conclusion

Egg freezing is a highly effective method of fertility preservation. It has many benefits such as giving women the freedom and flexibility to plan their reproductive future without being limited by their biological clock. It helps them achieve their career or educational goals first. The process itself can sometimes be challenging and difficult to navigate. It may also be a significant financial investment.

At Corion Fertility Clinic, we believe in offering each patient the very best care possible. We’ve helped hundreds of women take control of their fertility through egg freezing in Mumbai. Book your egg freezing session today at affordable rates!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Which hormone is tested to determine ovarian reserve?
A. A test for anti mullerian hormone (AMH) can help you determine your ovarian reserve, i.e. the quantity of eggs in your ovaries.

Q. What should I avoid while undergoing egg freezing?
A. While undergoing egg freezing, avoid intense physical exercises like biking, running, swimming, martial arts, etc.

Q. What are some alternatives to egg freezing?
A. Embryo freezing or using donor eggs for IVF treatment are some alternatives to egg freezing.

Q. What are the risks of egg freezing?
A. Some potential risks of egg freezing include possible damage to eggs during cryopreservation, complications during the process of egg retrieval, no eggs being retrieved, eggs not surviving the freezing and thawing process, or egg freezing not resulting in pregnancy.

Q. Can I freeze my eggs at 30?
A. Yes, you can freeze your eggs at 30 for a decent chance of a successful pregnancy. In India, the egg freezing age limit is 40.