There are many reasons why a woman may wish to preserve her eggs for the future—and all of them are valid. Whether due to an unexpected cancer diagnosis or the desire to pursue educational or personal goals, many women face impediments to a traditional pregnancy. Fortunately, egg freezing offers a safe, effective option. If you’re interested in freezing your eggs, you may want to learn more about what the procedure has to offer.  

4 FAQs About Egg Freezing

1. How Does It Work?

To prevent the accumulation of ice crystals that can deteriorate the cell, a professional will first dehydrate the egg and replace the water with an anti-freeze liquid. The egg will then be flash- or slow-frozen to a temperature of about -320 degrees Fahrenheit until you’re ready for conception. At this time, the egg will be injected with sperm to achieve fertilization. Then, it will be transferred to the uterus as an embryo.

2. What Are the Chances My Frozen Eggs Will Lead to Having a Baby Later?

The viability of each frozen egg depends on a case-by-case basis. The likelihood of this procedure leading to a live birth is only about 12%, and even that number is dependent on individual factors, such as the patient’s age at the time of the freezing. As such, doctors recommend freezing multiple eggs at once to increase the odds of a successful pregnancy later on. 

3. What Will I Need to Do?

To retrieve the eggs, you’ll need to undergo the same hormone-injection process as in-vitro fertilization patients. First, you’ll need to take about one or two weeks of birth control pills to temporarily halt your body’s production of natural hormones. This will then be followed up with nine or 10 days of hormone injections, which helps prepare the eggs and ovaries.

4. How Are the Eggs Extracted?

When the eggs are ready, the doctor will utilize ultrasound technology to guide a needle through the vagina to safely remove them. The procedure is conducted under intravenous sedation and is completely pain-free.

If you’re interested in learning more about egg freezing, consult the professionals at IVF Hawaii in Honolulu. This trusted fertility clinic offers the personalized support and education patients need to attain their fertility goals. To learn more about the practice, visit their website. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call a friendly professional today at (808) 538-6655.