Egg Freezing
Referred to as mature oocyte cryopreservation, egg freezing preserves your reproductive potential and is a service provided at Columbia Fertility Associates that allows you to store your eggs until you’re ready to have a baby. Your age affects the viability of your eggs, and the earlier you freeze them, the better chance you have of a successful pregnancy when you’re ready.
Egg Freezing Q & A
Am I a Good Candidate for Egg Freezing?
There are a number of lifestyle and health reasons you may want to consider egg freezing. You could be a good candidate for the program if you know you want to have children, but aren’t yet ready to because of your career or lifestyle. Choosing to freeze your eggs may give you peace of mind that you’ll be able to have a child of your own in the future.
Egg freezing might also be a consideration if you’re in need of a medical treatment that may harm the health of your eggs, such as chemotherapy or radiation.
The fertility experts at Columbia Fertility Associates may also suggest egg freezing if you’re undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and your partner isn’t able to produce enough sperm during the egg retrieval process.
How are My Eggs Extracted?
Egg extraction requires a few steps. First, your doctor at Columbia Fertility Associates prescribes medication that stimulates your ovaries to produce multiple eggs during ovulation so several eggs can be retrieved at one time.
The actual retrieval of your egg is done under sedation. Your provider inserts a needle and suction device into your follicle and retrieves the eggs.
The retrieval process may take up to 20 minutes, and after the procedure, you may experience cramping and bloating. Your eggs are then frozen to subzero temperatures to stop the activity.
It can take up to a week to recover from the egg retrieval procedure. The team at Columbia Fertility Associates provide guidelines on what to expect so you know how to prepare for your egg extraction.
What Happens When I Am Ready to Use My Eggs?
When you’re ready to use your eggs, the team thaws and artificially inseminates the egg and then inserts it into your uterus. Your chances of pregnancy range from about 30-60%, depending on your age at the time your eggs were frozen.
If you’re considering egg freezing, call the nearest Columbia Fertility Associates office to schedule an appointment today.