In medical terms, “mature oocyte cryopreservation” is the technical name for egg freezing. Today, many women freeze their eggs so they can conceive a child on their terms. Sometimes, the person freezing their eggs hasn’t found the right partner, wants to accomplish other goals, or uses the process as insurance for the future. 

During the egg-freezing process, a healthcare professional will harvest and freeze the eggs from your ovaries for use later in life. When ready to have a baby, your healthcare professional will thaw the eggs and begin the in vitro fertilization process.

Freezing your eggs may be a great option if you’re not ready to become pregnant but want to ensure that you can conceive in the future. Today, we’ll discuss a few essential things to know before freezing your eggs.

The 3 Most Important Things to Know Before Freezing Your Eggs

The idea of freezing your eggs can be daunting, but licensed healthcare professionals can guide you throughout the process. Consider speaking to your healthcare provider about the following so that you can make informed decisions about your fertility.

1. Your Age Plays a Role in Your Success Rate

Although females are born with millions of eggs, these eggs do not retain the same quality throughout a woman’s lifetime. While the best time to freeze eggs is in your early twenties, you may not know if you’ll need your eggs frozen. If you’re considering freezing your eggs, the best time is between 27 and 34.

According to a study by CFRE, women under 35 have a 60% chance of freezing enough eggs in one cycle to have a viable pregnancy. However, this percentage drops to 40% for women between the ages of 35 and 37, then to 9% for women between the ages of 38 and 40. 

2. There are Side Effects When Freezing Your Eggs

During the egg-freezing process, you’ll need to take fertility drugs to stimulate egg production and ovulation so doctors can extract healthy eggs. The fertility drugs FSH and menotropin are administered via injection, which can cause redness or pain at the injection site. 

Additionally, you may experience side effects from the medication, such as the following:

• Mild stomach pain or bloating
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Dizziness

Although you will be sedated during the egg extraction procedure, you may experience physical discomfort upon awakening, similar to your menstrual cycle. Typically, the side effects of freezing your eggs only last a few days after the procedure.

3. Freezing Your Eggs Can Be Costly

Since egg freezing is an elective procedure, you’ll need to pay out of pocket. Costs vary depending on your fertility center, but a single cycle of egg freezing ranges from $4,500 to $8,000, which includes ultrasound monitoring. Keep in mind that your healthcare provider may recommend two cycles of egg freezing.

Furthermore, you will also be responsible for the costs of fertility medication and egg storage. The medicine may cost up to $5,000, depending on the degree of necessary stimulation. Egg storage is typically cost-free for the first year and $500 yearly.

Support Your Holistic Fertility Journey with 2me

Whether you’re planning to start a family or seeking support throughout your pregnancy, working with healthcare providers that listen to your concerns and create a birthing plan for your unique needs is essential. If you want to work with a midwife offering holistic pregnancy and fertility support, OB2me is here to help.

At OB2me, we offer private in-home or in-office concierge midwifery care to support you with comfortable prenatal and postpartum care for you and your family. We are also available to help you throughout your labor and delivery at the hospital.

OB2me provides multiple packages and services to best fit your needs and make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood as stress-free as possible. Just contact our team today and see how working with a dedicated and passionate healthcare provider can make all the difference!