Egg freezing, which is also known as oocyte cryopreservation, cools the eggs to a very low temperature to keep them from aging normally.  It’s an excellent option for women who want to wait to become pregnant but want to be sure their eggs will be healthy when they are ready. To help you understand the process, your fertility doctor at Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute has explained how the process works at their clinic in Honolulu, HI.

A Fertility Doctor’s Guide to Oocyte Cryopreservation

How It Works

The patient is given fertility medications, which should make the ovaries produce more than one egg. Once they are ready, the infertility specialist will retrieve them during a small medical procedure. The best quality eggs are chosen to be frozen in a process called vitrification.

This is an instant freezing method, which is better than the traditional slow freezing process because it prevents ice crystals from forming on the eggs and damaging them. The eggs are stored in tanks at a temperature of approximately negative 320 degrees Fahrenheit until they are ready to be used.

Who Uses It

Freezing works best for women under the age of 30 since younger eggs are healthier and are less likely to cause genetic defects in a child. There are a lot of different situations when freezing is the right choice for a woman.

For example, some women are waiting for the right father to come along or simply prefer to wait to have children until they feel ready. Cancer patients can have their eggs frozen before beginning a chemotherapy treatment plan, as chemo has been known to damage eggs and impact fertility.

Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute is Hawaii’s first fertility clinic, opened in 1985. Their compassionate and highly capable staff are available seven days a week to offer a full range of infertility treatment options, including egg freezing. Contact them at (808) 946-2226 to talk with a fertility doctor about planning for your family.