In some circumstances, fertility preservation can be a critical step in ensuring your chance of having a family later in life. Egg freezing is a highly effective option for women that doesn’t preclude having children naturally. In fact, some see it as an insurance policy for having a family later in life, giving women some reassurance and peace of mind.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at egg freezing, how it works, and what you can expect. Please be sure to speak with a fertility specialist before making any decisions.
Let’s jump right into it.
What is egg freezing?
Egg freezing, also referred to as mature oocyte cryopreservation, is the process of harvesting and storing unfertilized eggs for later use.
When frozen, a woman’s eggs can be stored for many years with very minimal impact. If a woman then decides to use her frozen eggs to try for a child, they are warmed and fertilized with sperm.
The goal is to grow a healthy embryo, which can then be implanted into the woman’s uterus, resulting in pregnancy (though there is a chance that the embryo will not survive).
Why do women choose to freeze their eggs?
Egg freezing services are popular among women of all ages and from all walks of life. Some of the most common reasons women choose to freeze their eggs include:
- Preserving eggs for future use. Perhaps you’re not ready to start a family now. You’re not in the right relationship or stage of life. But you’d like to protect your chances of becoming pregnant.
- Undergoing a treatment that could impact fertility. Some medical treatments can put a woman’s fertility at risk. This includes things like chemotherapy.
- Have or are at risk of a disease or condition that could impact fertility. Autoimmune diseases and other conditions can cause a woman’s fertility to deteriorate. If you currently have or are likely to develop a condition that can result in infertility, egg freezing services may be an excellent option.
- Undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF). In the US, one to two percent of all pregnancies are achieved via IVF. Egg freezing is one step in the IVF process.
Following the preservation of your eggs, you can sigh a breath of relief. You know that the option of conceiving is there for you when the right time comes.