Are you considering freezing your eggs? The decision to freeze one’s eggs for the possible preservation of future fertility is subjective and full of complexity. Professional reproductive/medical organizations (ASRM and ACOG) have promoted oocyte cryopreservation for medical reasons (e.g. prior to chemotherapy treatment) for decades. However, fertility specialists and private egg banking companies have increasingly been promoting fertility preservation for elective reasons, such as delaying childbearing, making this option readily available to all women.
The egg freezing process involves: 1) stimulation of the ovaries through hormone self-injections and monitoring follicle growth via ultrasound, 2) the egg retrieval procedure, which is quick and performed under sedation, and 3) the egg freezing procedure done through vitrification and subsequent storage of the frozen eggs. Remember, this is just the egg freezing process. You will later need to undergo the rest of the IVF process (using sperm from your partner or a donor to create embryos, and transferring embryos into the uterus) in order to become pregnant using frozen eggs.
In making the decision, it is helpful to explore the numerous psychological, emotional, spiritual, financial and medical considerations involved in this process. Also look at success rates based on your age and fertility, as well as possible risks involved. Have an understanding that the procedure is invasive, that egg retrieval / freezing and storage costs are expensive yet separate from later IVF fertilization and transfer expenses, and there is no guarantee of future success. Take time to imagine how you would feel building your family this way, or what it may be like to be an older parent.
You should also consider the research: ACOG/ASRM studies have shown that the age of the oocyte (egg) at retrieval correlates with success rates, with viable studies ’supporting the use of these technologies in well-selected patients aged 35 years and younger,’ while ASRM/SART state that ‘even in younger women (under 38), the chance that one frozen egg will yield a baby in the future is around 2-12%.'
There are many pros/cons to consider in making an informed decision. It can be helpful to meet with a reproductive mental health professional to explore feelings and navigate expectations and possible outcomes so you may make the best decision for yourself.
For more information and resources, check out:
Motherhood, Rescheduled: The New Frontier of Egg Freezing & the Women Who Tried It
by Sarah Elizabeth Richards