Egg Freezing
Egg Freezing is one of the most commonly pursued treatments we facilitate at Conceivable. You may need time to focus on your career, find the right partner, address a medical concern, or even decide whether having children is part of your plans.
Egg freezing gives you the option and peace of mind to start a family -- when you are ready.
Assessment
The most powerful step you can take to begin understanding what your personal egg-freezing experience will be like is to understand some of your key indicators.
Every individual's circumstances are different, but in general, you'll want to be equipped with your personal results for a few key metrics and tests.
Anti-Mullerian
Hormone
(AMH)
A hormone produced by the cells surrounding the follicles. Your AMH often correlates with the number of eggs your body will produce with ovarian stimulation.
Follicle Stimulating
Hormone
(FSH)
A hormone responsible for the growth of ovarian follicles before ovulation. Your FSH levels help to indicate what kind of stimulation will be required for follicle growth.
Antral Follicle Count
(AFC)
A measure of your ovarian reserve which indicates the number of follicles present in each ovary. The number of follicles can correlate to the number of eggs collected.
Stimulation
The goal of ovarian stimulation is to obtain the greatest number of healthy eggs from your ovaries.
Eggs begin in a small “antral” follicle in your ovary. In a typical menstrual cycle, several follicles are present in your ovaries, but only one egg matures to ovulation while the others disintegrate. The stimulation process gently prompts all follicles to mature the eggs present in larger numbers than during a typical cycle using hormones which are naturally present in your body.
Beginning shortly after the start of your menstrual cycle, you will begin a regimen of hormone injections which will stimulate egg development. Your progress is monitored every 2-3 days during 20 to 30 minute, in-person visits with your doctor. Your progress will be monitored, and your medication plan may be modified over the course of the stimulation to adjust with your response. In total, the stimulation can last about 10-12 days.
Beginning of Menstrual Cycle
Doctor's Visit
Your doctor will evaluate your response to your regimen and may prescribe modifications to the plan to ensure you proceed through the stimulation as successfully as possible.
Regimen End and Trigger Injection
Based on your follicle growth, your doctor will instruct you to stop further administration of your regimen. Shortly after, you will administer a "Trigger" injection exactly 36 hours before your scheduled retrieval.
Start of Hormone Regimen
Generally you can begin your hormone regimen on day 2 or 3 of your cycle. Based on your personal circumstances and your doctor's assessment, your doctor will inform your specific start date.
Continued Stimulation and Doctor's Visits
You will continue your prescribed regimen as instructed by your doctor. Your follicle growth will be monitored every 2-3 days leading up to your retrieval. Based on the growth of your follicles (assessed by ultrasound) and hormone levels (assessed by blood test), your medications may be adjusted throughout.
Retrieval
Your retrieval will be scheduled for exactly 36 hours after you are instructed to administer your trigger injection.
Procedures are generally scheduled for the morning, and you'll need to abstain from eating or drinking for the 12 hours leading up.
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You will check in 1 hour before your scheduled procedure time and given a private suite. You will change and a nurse will walk you through your schedule for the day.
The procedure itself lasts approximately 15 or 20 minutes, and you will be sedated for the duration. You will have as much time as you prefer in your suite, though most people only require 1 - 2 hours before they are prepared to return to their homes.
Before you head home, you will meet with your doctor to discuss the outcome of the procedure and make plans for monitoring and next steps.
FAQs
Understanding your fertility treatment options can feel daunting, but it does not need to be. We've captured some of our most frequently asked questions below, but we understand that no two cases are alike.
Should you want to learn more, you can schedule a free consultation with a Conceivable Concierge at any time.
Why should I freeze my eggs?
Clients who pursue egg-freezing do so to give themselves more options while they address other personal factors -- advancing their careers, finding the right partner, tending to medical issues, and so on. Freezing your eggs can extend your fertility timeline and give you peace of mind.
At what age should I freeze my eggs?
In general, the younger the better. Freezing your eggs younger typically means a higher quantity and higher quality of eggs. When you opt to use these eggs, your chances of successful pregnancy are also higher.
Does freezing my eggs reduce my chances of getting pregnant naturally?
No. In a typical cycle, several follicles are present in your ovaries and only one egg matures to ovulation while the others disintegrate. This process encourages many eggs to mature which would otherwise be discarded by your body.
How long does the process take?
Counting from the start of your menstrual cycle, the process generally takes 10-12 days.
How many eggs do I need?
It depends. There is no magic number and so much of success depends on several factors such as health, egg quality, etc. However, as a general rule of thumb, 15-20 eggs per desired child is advised. Your doctor can consult you on your personal circumstances.
Will I have to undergo the process more than once?
The average women pursues 2.1 rounds of egg freezing. There is no requirement to pursue any specific number, but Conceivable can assist you in pursuing subsequent rounds should you elect to do so.
What are the side effects?
Everyone's experience is different, but most women experience few to no side effects. Those that do report some fatigue, moodiness, bloating, soreness or some spotting.
What is recovery like?
Immediately after your procedure, you may experience some fatigue. Most women report returning to normal by the next day. Some bloating and soreness may persist until your next menstrual cycle.
What happens when I want to use my eggs?
You will undergo In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Your eggs are thawed and then fertilized with sperm in an on-site lab. The resulting embryos are evaluated for quality, and the highest quality embryos are selected for implantation.
What happens if I decide not to use my eggs?
If you choose not to use your eggs, we can facilitate anonymous donation to scientific research, anonymous donation to other women or couples, or you can elect to have them disposed. Conceivable works to certify that your preferences and elections are made correctly.
Can I drink alcohol?
In moderation. As a general guideline, you should limit alcohol intake to no more than 1-2 drinks per day. However, you should consult with your doctor about your specific circumstances.
Can I drink coffee?
Most research suggests that there is no link between moderate caffeine intake and worsened outcomes. Up to 2 cups of coffee per day should not impact your success rate.
Can I have sex?
For the first few days, and with use of a condom as your likelihood of pregnancy is increased with an increased follicle count. In general, it is recommended to practice abstinence for the week leading up to your retrieval.
Can I work out?
You should not have to adjust your work out regimen for the first 5 days of your stimulation. After that point, only low-impact activities are recommended. After your retrieval, you should abstain from exercise for approximately 1 week.
How do success rates compare to the US?
Europe is the world's leader in Assisted Reproductive Technologies, and our partner clinics have success rates that match or exceed the top clinics in the United States.
Can I bring my eggs back to the US?
Yes, through the use of a 3rd party which Conceivable can work with your clinic to coordinate. By law, you may not transfer the eggs yourself.
Will my doctor speak English?
Yes. Conceivable's partner clinics have dedicated physician and support staff exclusively for Conceivable patients. All Conceivable-assigned staff have native-level language proficiency.
Can you help me pursue IVF overseas when I'm ready to use my eggs?
Definitely. You'll be able to enjoy the same perks and expert customer service, and Conceivable will be with you all the way.
