Egg Freezing Process - Reproductive Sciences Medical Center

1. Egg Freezing Process

2. Understanding the Egg Freezing Process Egg freezing or “oocyte cryopreservation” is a way of slowing down the clock and preserving women’s fertility so they can have a family in the future.  One of the most common issues that a fertility clinic sees are age related fertility problems, mainly a decrease in egg quality and quantity.

3. How do I freeze my eggs? First, you’ll need to consult a fertility specialist and find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure.   You will be checked by the doctor to make sure that you are in overall good health. They will also check the status of your ovarian reserve (quality and quantity of your eggs). Once you have been cleared, your fertility team will walk you through the fertility medications you’ll be taking. This walk-through will also include when and how to administer these medications.

4. The Egg Freezing Process Pre-Cycle Preparation This includes blood tests, a pelvic exam, transvaginal ultrasound and in some cases hysteroscopy. A physician will then analyze your test results and plan your treatment protocol accordingly.

5. The Egg Freezing Process Ovarian Stimulation Your egg freezing protocol will begin with a series of fertility medications which will stimulate your ovaries. Ovarian stimulation has two purposes: First, to plan your ovulation so that the egg retrieval process can be performed at the right time. Second, to generate as many eggs as possible. You typically only produce one mature egg in a natural ovulation cycle. When you are freezing your eggs, it is better to maximize the number of eggs available. Patients will start taking fertility medications on the third day of their period and continue them for 10 to 12 days. During this time, you’ll need to visit our clinic several times for blood tests and ultrasound monitoring so that the team can keep an eye on how your follicles are developing. Once there is a good number of mature follicles to produce eggs, you’ll receive a ‘trigger shot’ of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). HCG will encourage eggs to finish maturing and your egg retrieval procedure will be scheduled approximately 36 hours later.

6. The Egg Freezing Process Egg Retrieval The egg retrieval process is done as an outpatient procedure under IV sedation, at the fertility clinic. The sedation you receive will be a mild aesthetic, so that you won’t feel any pain during the egg retrieval. It takes around 20 -30 minutes to complete the retrieval procedure. A transvaginal ultrasound probe will be used during this procedure giving the physician a clear view of your ovary. This allows them to precisely locate each follicle, allowing them to retrieve maximum number of eggs. You can expect to be at the clinic for 1.5 to 2.5 hours. You will complete paperwork and undergo preparation and recovery after the procedure. It is advised to take the rest of the day off to allow your body to recover. Recovery is generally fast and easy, you might feel slight abdominal bloating and tenderness but that will pass quickly.

7. The Egg Freezing Process Freezing Your part in the process is over as soon as the retrieval is done. Retrieved eggs are immediately taken to the lab where they are cooled instantly to sub-zero temperature. These frozen eggs are then placed in a special storage facility until you decide to use them.

8. Whether you’re waiting for your career to take-off, waiting for the right relationship to develop or undergoing a treatment that might adversely affect your fertility, freezing your eggs provides you with the potential to preserve your fertility until you’re ready.

9. To learn more about your fertility options or the egg freezing process, contact one of our consultants today at www.fertile.com or call us at (858) 436-7186