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Egg freezing, or mature oocyte cryopreservation if you want to get science-y, is a procedure used to freeze women’s eggs so they can get pregnant in the future. In this procedure, eggs harvested from your ovaries are frozen and stored for later fertilization.
There are many reasons women opt to freeze their eggs. However, it’s not a subject that generally comes up in conversation. You and your friend probably don’t discuss it over coffee or drinks. So, that means there’s a ton of information you need if you are considering egg freezing.
Don’t worry, as usual. We got you. Here are six things you should know about freezing your eggs.
1. The More Eggs You Can Freeze the Better
In general, you want to freeze at least 10-15 eggs per pregnancy you plan to have. The more you freeze, the better, since only some of them will be viable after they thaw. Only some of those will be fertilized, and only some of those will develop enough to be implanted.
2. The Side Effects Are Usually Mild
The process involves hormone injections to help your body produce more eggs. The side effects will be very familiar – bloating, moodiness, cramping, and other symptoms you might have when you get your period. You may experience pain, redness, or bruising at the injection site.
3. The Younger You Are the Better
According to research published in Fertility and Sterility, your chances of success are better if the procedure is done when you are younger. According to the study, those who have the procedure before age 34 have a better chance of giving birth.
4. It Can Be Expensive
The process isn’t cheap and is usually an out-of-pocket expense. It can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $15,000, and that’s just for the initial freezing. If you have to go through more than one round of egg retrieval, the price goes up. Then there are storage fees and IVF fees when you decide to use your eggs.
5. You’ll Need a Consultation and Research
To make sure that egg freezing is right for you, you’ll need to talk to your doctor or a specialist at a fertility center. Check out fertility clinics and take note of their success rates. See if you can meet with someone from the clinic. This gives you a chance to ask detailed questions and get a sense of the doctors and staff. If you don’t feel comfortable, keep looking.
6. There’s No Guarantee
There is no guarantee that you’ll successfully get pregnant. But that is true even if you don’t freeze your eggs. Although many women have successfully gotten pregnant and carried a baby after 35, keep in mind that there are increased health risks.
A Note from GR8NESS
A quick chat with your doctor can help you understand more about how the procedure works. As well as the potential risks, and whether it is right for you based on your needs, general health, and reproductive history.
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