One method of delaying and preserving your ability to become pregnant is freezing your eggs for in vitro fertilization later. Reasons for choosing this process vary, including cancer treatment or moral or religious objections to freezing embryos. These frequently asked questions may help you decide whether this procedure is right for you.   

A Guide to Egg Freezing for In Vitro Fertilization

What does the egg freezing process entail?

Before the egg freezing process, you’ll undergo a fertility assessment, including an ultrasound and blood tests. Then to start, you’ll receive medical injections to stimulate your ovaries and maximize egg production. Finally, an infertility specialist will retrieve, collect, and freeze the eggs.

How do fertility clinics freeze eggs?

Most clinics use vitrification, a method that quick-freezes the eggs using nitrogen. Vitrification stops the fluid inside from forming ice crystals, which could damage the egg. The alternative is slow-freezing, which leaves eggs more likely to form ice crystals and leads to lower survival rates.

Can a fertility doctor tell if an egg is good or bad?

Unfortunately, no. In vitro fertilization specialists can only determine whether eggs are mature or immature. Eggs must be mature to be frozen and fertilized. Storing 10 to 20 eggs for each pregnancy attempt gives you the best chance of successful fertilization. 

When should I consider egg freezing?

In terms of age, the earlier you decide to freeze your eggs, the better their quality will be. If you wait until you are older than 42 years old, the chromosomal quality of the eggs might not yield the results you want. Women in their 20’s to early 30’s who plan to delay pregnancy are typically the best candidates.

If you’re considering egg freezing, consult the infertility specialists at Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute of Honolulu, HI. Established in 1985, this fertility clinic helps people from all walks of life achieve their dream of parenthood with cutting-edge infertility treatments like IVF. Visit their website to review their services. For a consultation with a fertility doctor, call (808) 946-2226.