Egg Freezing
Steps Involved in IVF:
Procedure Description
Egg freezing is a medical procedure that preserves a woman’s eggs by extracting and storing them at ultra-low temperatures. This process is often divided into three main stages: ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and vitrification (freezing). Each stage is carefully managed to maximize the quality and longevity of the preserved eggs.
In the initial phase, ovarian stimulation, patients are administered hormone injections over a period of approximately 10 to 14 days. These hormones stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, enhancing the chances of successful retrieval and cryopreservation. During this period, patients undergo frequent ultrasounds and blood tests to monitor follicle growth and hormone levels, ensuring the ovaries are responding to the treatment effectively.
Once the eggs reach the desired maturity, they are retrieved in a minimally invasive procedure called transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration. This procedure, typically performed under sedation, involves a specialized needle that gently aspirates the eggs from the ovarian follicles. The retrieved eggs are then assessed for quality, with the healthiest ones selected for freezing. In the final stage, vitrification, the selected eggs are rapidly cooled to sub-zero temperatures in a specialized cryoprotectant solution, a technique that minimizes ice crystal formation and preserves cellular structure. The frozen eggs are stored securely and can remain viable for years, ready for use when the individual decides to pursue pregnancy.
Procedure Duration
The entire egg-freezing process generally spans several weeks, starting with the consultation phase, continuing through ovarian stimulation, and concluding with the retrieval and freezing process. Let’s explore these phases in more depth.
- Consultation and Initial Testing: During the first phase, patients meet with fertility specialists for a consultation. This initial step typically involves a fertility assessment, which may include blood tests and an ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve and determine the appropriate hormone dosage for ovarian stimulation. This stage can take one to two weeks, depending on the tests required.
- Ovarian Stimulation: The hormone injection period, lasting around 10 to 14 days, is the most time-intensive phase. Patients need to adhere to a strict schedule for daily injections and undergo regular monitoring to adjust hormone levels as needed. This monitoring is essential for the successful maturation of multiple eggs, preparing them for retrieval.
- Egg Retrieval and Freezing: The retrieval procedure itself is relatively short, often taking 15 to 30 minutes. After retrieval, patients may experience mild discomfort and are advised to rest for the remainder of the day. The vitrification and storage process happens immediately post-retrieval, ensuring the eggs are preserved at their peak viability.
After retrieval, there is no set “recovery time” as with surgical procedures. Most patients feel comfortable resuming normal activities within a day or two, though it’s advisable to avoid strenuous exercise or activities for a few days post-procedure.
Benefits
- Flexibility in Family Planning: Egg freezing allows women to preserve their fertility, enabling them to start a family when they’re ready.
- Medical Preservation: Women undergoing treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can freeze eggs before starting therapy to safeguard future fertility.
- Career and Personal Development: Egg freezing offers an option for women who wish to prioritize career or personal goals before having children.
- Improved IVF Success Rates: Younger eggs, frozen at an earlier age, can increase the success rates of IVF in the future.
- Advanced Cryopreservation Technology: Vitrification has dramatically improved the success rates of egg thawing, making egg freezing a viable fertility option for more women.
Potential Destinations
- Spain
Spain is a popular destination for fertility treatments, known for its advanced technology, regulatory environment, and experienced fertility clinics. Many clinics cater to international patients, providing support services in multiple languages and competitive pricing.
- Greece
Greece has become a significant hub for reproductive tourism, offering high-quality fertility services at competitive costs. Renowned for its fertility specialists and high success rates, Greece also provides a welcoming environment for international patients.
- United States
The U.S. is home to some of the most advanced fertility centers globally, particularly in cities like New York and Los Angeles. Although generally higher in cost, American clinics are known for cutting-edge research, technology, and comprehensive fertility services.
- India
India has a growing reputation for affordable and reliable fertility services. Many Indian clinics offer advanced reproductive technologies and provide specialized packages for international patients, making it a favored destination for cost-effective fertility treatment.
- Turkey
Turkey offers a range of high-quality fertility services, blending affordability with advanced medical care. Istanbul, in particular, is known for its well-equipped fertility clinics, providing international patients with a cost-effective yet high-standard egg-freezing experience.
Risks & Considerations
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): A potential side effect of ovarian stimulation, OHSS occurs when the ovaries respond too strongly to hormones, leading to pain, bloating, and, in rare cases, more severe symptoms.
- Emotional and Physical Stress: The egg-freezing process can be emotionally and physically taxing, with frequent injections, clinic visits, and the potential for physical discomfort.
- Egg Viability Uncertainty: Although egg freezing is highly successful, there is no guarantee that thawed eggs will lead to a successful pregnancy, as success also depends on age and health factors at the time of egg retrieval.
- Financial Investment: Egg freezing can be costly, especially when considering the potential for multiple cycles to retrieve a sufficient number of eggs.
- Long-Term Storage Concerns: Eggs can be stored long-term, but it’s essential to consider annual storage fees and ensure secure storage facilities.
How to Choose the Right Doctor and Hospital
When selecting a fertility specialist and clinic for egg freezing, it’s crucial to prioritize experience, technology, and patient satisfaction. Look for doctors who specialize in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) with extensive experience in egg freezing. Their expertise ensures a better understanding of individualized hormone protocols and retrieval techniques, both of which impact the quality of preserved eggs.
Additionally, evaluate the clinic’s resources and technology. Modern cryopreservation facilities should use vitrification technology to maximize egg survival rates. Patient reviews and testimonials, along with the clinic’s transparency in success rates, are valuable resources when making an informed choice. Always consider visiting or arranging virtual consultations with potential clinics to discuss protocols, costs, and support services, especially if traveling for the procedure.
To receive a free quote for this procedure please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote
Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. GHA accredits the top hospitals in the world. These are the best hospitals in the world for quality and providing the best patient experience. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually happens during hyperstimulation of the ovaries?
The patient will take injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for eight to eleven days, depending on how long the follicles take to mature. This hormone is produced naturally in a woman’s body causing one egg to develop per cycle. Taking the injectable FSH causes several follicles to develop at once, at approximately the same rate. The development is monitored with vaginal ultrasounds and following the patient’s levels of estradiol and progesterone. FSH brand names include Repronex, Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-F and Bravelle. The patient injects herself daily.
What happens during egg retrieval?
When the follicles have developed enough to be harvested, the patient attends an appointment where she is anesthetized and prepared for the procedure. Next, the doctor uses an ultrasound probe to guide a needle through the vaginal wall and into the follicle of the ovary. The thin needle draws the follicle fluid, which is then examined by an embryologist to find the eggs. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
What happens to the eggs?
In the next step, the harvested eggs are then fertilized. If the sperm from the potential father, or in some cases, anonymous donor, has normal functionality, the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish with a nutrient fluid, then incubated overnight to fertilize normally. If the sperm functionality is suboptimal, an embryologist uses Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to inject a single sperm into a single egg with an extremely precise glass needle. Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are assessed and prepared to be transferred to the patient’s uterus.
How are the embryos transferred back to the uterus?
The doctor and the patient will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred. The number of successfully fertilized eggs usually determines the number of eggs to be placed in the uterus. Embryos are transferred to the uterus with transabdominal ultrasound guidance. This process does not require anesthesia, but it can cause minor cervical or uterine discomfort. Following transfer, the patient is advised to take at least one days bed rest and two or three additional days of rest, then 10 to 12 days later, two pregnancy tests are scheduled to confirm success. Once two positive tests are completed, an obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to show the sac, fetal pole, yolk sac and fetal heart rate.
Embryoscope©
Built into this technology there is a microscope with a powerful camera that allows the uninterrupted monitoring of the embryo during its first hours of life. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the embryo, from the moment when the oocyte is inseminated and begins to divide into smaller and smaller cells, until it can be transferred to the uterus.
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