Egg Freezing 101: What You Need to Know
Egg freezing is an ideal option for women who are not ready to start a family but would like to preserve their fertility for the future. Below is some information to help you understand and/or prepare for this procedure.
What is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing is a fertility preservation procedure that involves freezing mature eggs until the woman is ready to begin her family. Once she is ready to have a baby, the eggs will be fertilized and transferred to the woman’s uterus through IVF.
Who is a Good Candidate for Egg Freezing?
A woman may choose to have her eggs frozen for a number of reasons, including:
Upcoming radiation or chemotherapy that may render her infertile.
Plans to start a family at age 40 or later.
Diagnosis with a medical condition that may affect fertility, such as early onset menopause.
In order to undergo egg freezing, you must also be in good enough health to withstand the necessary injections and procedures required to collect your eggs. Talk to a fertility doctor to find out if this procedure is safe and appropriate for you.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Prior to harvesting your eggs, your doctor will prescribe fertility enhancing injections that are designed to facilitate the maturation of your eggs and increase the number of mature eggs produced. Once your eggs have reached the desired level of maturity, your egg retrieval procedure will be performed. During the procedure, your doctor will access your ovaries through the vagina to retrieve the mature eggs. These eggs will then be carefully frozen. They will remain preserved until you are ready to start your family.
During the egg retrieval procedure, you will be under general anesthesia. Once you awaken, you may experience some nausea, as well as mild uterine cramps. Many women also notice spotting after the procedure.
Making an Appointment
If you think that egg freezing may be the right choice for you, please contact New York Reproductive Wellness today to make an appointment with a member of our team.
