Preserve Your Options with Egg Freezing

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is the process in which eggs are harvested, frozen and stored for later use. As women age, fertility levels naturally decline. Egg freezing allows women to preserve their fertility by delaying conception.

How Does Egg Freezing Work?

Egg freezing consists of retrieving, freezing and then safely storing a woman’s eggs for use at a later point. Retrieved eggs are unfertilized prior to freezing. The egg freezing cycle normally takes 11 to 15 days or 2 weeks. For some patients, additional cycles may be needed.

Once a woman decides she is ready to use her frozen eggs, frozen eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm in a lab and implanted into the uterus. This process is called in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Egg Freezing: The Steps

Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation

Normally, a woman produces one egg during her monthly menstrual cycle. Prior to egg freezing, the patient takes injectable fertility medication that stimulates the ovaries so they produce multiple eggs.

Step 2: Retrieval of Eggs

When eggs are ready, a trigger injection is provided to mature the eggs. To retrieve the eggs, an outpatient procedure is performed. Through transvaginal ultrasound guidance, the physician can view the follicles on the patient’s ovary that contain the eggs and safely remove the fluid they contain.

Step 3: Freezing

Once the unfertilized eggs are harvested, they are cooled to subzero temperatures and preserved.

Step 4: After The Procedure

Patients may experience some cramping following the procedure as the ovaries will still be enlarged. Within a day or so, most patients can continue their normal activities.

Fertility Clinic Care, Right Near You

If you’re looking for advanced treatments with personalized care, then you’re in the right place. Visit our boutique fertility clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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