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Egg Freezing, also known as Oocyte Cryopreservation, is a way of preserving a patient’s fertility so she can try to have a family in the future. It involves collecting eggs, freezing them and then thawing them later on so they can be used for fertility treatment.
Some patients freeze their eggs because they have a medical condition or are undergoing treatment that affects their fertility. It can also be used by women who aren’t ready or able to have children and want the chance of conceiving in the future. When you go for your initial consultation and evaluation with the specialist, ask questions regarding success rates and the risks involved.
You will need to be tested for any infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis. This has no bearing on whether you can freeze your eggs, it is to ensure that affected egg samples are stored separately to prevent contamination of other samples.
You'll then start the IVF (In vitro fertilization) process, which usually takes around two to three weeks to complete. Normally this will involve taking drugs to boost your egg production and help the eggs mature. When they’re ready, they’ll be collected whilst you’re under general anesthetic or sedation using an ultrasound-guided probe. The needle attached will pass through the vaginal wall and into the ovary, where it will draw the eggs. This can take less than 20 minutes and you can there is no need for overnight stay.
At this point, instead of mixing the eggs with sperm (as in conventional IVF) a cryoprotectant (freezing solution) will be added to protect the eggs. The eggs will then be frozen either by cooling them slowly or by vitrification (fast freezing) and stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen.
Egg Freezing constitutes a considerable commitment in terms of time and financial resources. The associated expenses might encompass fees for preliminary examinations, ovarian stimulation, egg collection, and extended storage. These costs can significantly fluctuate based on the clinic chosen and its geographical location. Additionally, hidden expenditures such as travel and lodging should be taken into account, especially if the procedure is carried out in a distant city or foreign country. Furthermore, the financial calculation should also incorporate potential subsequent costs like the defrosting process and embryo transplantation when deciding to utilize these eggs.
Most patients will have around 15 eggs collected although this isn’t always possible for those with low ovarian reserves (low numbers of eggs). When you want to use them, the eggs will be thawed and must be fertilized using a fertility treatment called ICSI, as the freezing process makes the outer coating around the eggs tougher and sperm may be unable to penetrate it naturally under IVF.
You’ll need to complete consent forms before you start treatment specifying how you want your eggs to be used. This includes information on how long you want the eggs to be stored for (the standard period is 5 - 10 years), what should happen to your eggs if you were to die or become unable to make decisions for yourself, whether the eggs are to be used for your own treatment only, or whether they can be donated for someone else’s treatment, or used for research or training if you don't want to use them or any other conditions you may have for the use of your eggs.
Whilst egg freezing is a great option if you're approaching 40 and not yet ready to have a child/children but you're keen to in the future, it is also considered the solution to some medical conditions or circumstances that may affect your fertility, such as:
Unlike fertilized egg freezing or embryo cryopreservation, this form of the procedure will not require sperm because your eggs will not be fertilized before being frozen.
If you are considering freezing your eggs, note that the medical professionals you'll be dealing with are Reproductive Endocrinologists. Generally, you will be able to acquire the healthiest eggs before you reach 30, the younger you are, the better, simply because at a younger age you will be able to produce and freeze more eggs in one cycle.
Before you begin your egg freezing process, you need to first undergo a series of blood tests as an assessment, these include:
You also have to expect that Egg Freezing follows a series of steps; furthermore, egg retrieval will closely follow a similar process to IVF:
Ovarian stimulation - during this first step, you will be given hormonal injection one to several weeks to produce multiple eggs. Your doctor may also give you medications to prevent premature ovulation.
Egg retrieval - this will be done under sedation. Typically, an ultrasound probe will be inserted into your vagina to determine the follicle, a needle will then be guided through your vagina and into the follicle. A suction connected to the needle will be the one to retrieve the eggs from the follicle.
Freezing - after your eggs are harvested, they will now be cooled to a subzero temperature to preserve them for future use.
Although the procedure will differ from country to country and even the hospitals/clinics in New York City may differ somewhat, but in general, you can expect the following steps carried out over two separate trips:
While the process of egg extraction itself can be completed within a single day, the preparatory steps leading to this procedure usually span about 10 to 12 days. It's imperative to consider the preliminary consultations, evaluations carried out before the procedure, and subsequent follow-up sessions, which can substantially prolong the overall timeframe.
Egg retrieval takes roughly about 20 minutes to finish and you will not need any stitches after the procedure since your doctor will not perform any cutting. Just bear in mind that you'll need to plan two separate trips, with the second being timed around your menstrual cycle.
Typically, the recuperation period following a Egg Freezing is relatively short. The step involving egg extraction during the procedure is carried out while the patient is sedated, typically allowing them to resume routine tasks within one or two days. Nonetheless, it's essential to recognize that each woman's physiology is unique and reactions to such procedures can differ.
You can typically go back to your normal activities, including work and exercise within a week of your egg retrieval. Your doctor will also advise you to avoid having unprotected sex to prevent unintended pregnancy.
The post-Egg Freezing care aims at mitigating discomfort and expediting recovery. You'll likely be back to your standard routine in a couple of days, but adhering to your healthcare provider's aftercare advice is vital. This advice could encompass techniques to cope with pain, guidance on nutrition, and exercise regulations. Furthermore, paying attention to any physical alterations after the operation and promptly alerting your healthcare provider in case of any concerns is essential. Such concerns could range from intense aches, severe bleeding, or high temperature. Frequent check-ins could significantly contribute to closely tracking your recovery and dealing with any complications swiftly.
The whole process of egg freezing may take between 10 to 14 days. You may freeze your eggs in the long term even for about 10 years.
Given the time when you are ready to have a child, your frozen eggs will be thawed, fertilized with a sperm cell in a lab and then implanted into your uterus or your gestational carrier’s uterus (if in case).
Your chances of getting pregnant after implantation will depend on your age and the time of freezing. It is also important to know that the older you are at the time of your egg freezing, the lower the chances that you’ll achieve childbirth. In addition, your chances of becoming pregnant after implantation are usually about 30% to 60%.
Ovarian Tissue freezing or Ovarian Tissue Banking is one alternative to egg freezing. This is one method of fertility wherein the outer layer of your ovary, which contains a large number of immature eggs, will be taken out of your body and also be frozen for future use.
Another alternative is embryo freezing, typically after IVF treatment, your ovaries are stimulated to produce more eggs and this will be followed by fertilization and embryo culture. There will usually be an excess of good embryos which you can freeze for future use.
Before, during, and post-Egg Freezing, being aware of what awaits can help to dispel fears and facilitate planning. Prior to the procedure, anticipate several health checks and evaluations of your ovarian reserve. You will also participate in a hormonal injection plan intended to stimulate your ovaries to yield multiple eggs. The implementation of this plan is meticulously tracked via ultrasounds and blood tests to pinpoint the ideal timeframe for egg extraction. This initial phase involves frequent clinic visits and can be physically and emotionally taxing. Paying attention to your holistic wellbeing through maintaining a nutritious diet, managing stress, and staying physically fit is crucial.
Once the eggs are extracted, they are instantly frozen and preserved. Post-procedure, you might notice slight discomfort, bloating, and potential spotting. However, these symptoms typically vanish within a few days. The majority of women can return to their usual routines within one to two days. Following your healthcare provider's instructions for aftercare is key, and report any worrying signs without delay. Continuing regular clinic visits to track your physical and emotional health is also advisable.
An important thing to know is that Egg freezing also carries several risks, for example:
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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