Egg freezing is a proactive way to take control of your fertility future. Many people don\u2019t realize that they are born with all the eggs they will ever have. Unlike other cells in the body, eggs do not regenerate, and both their quantity and quality diminish over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reality is that you are more fertile today than you will ever be, and egg freezing offers a way to safeguard your reproductive potential,<\/a> giving you the flexibility to build your family on your own timeline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the idea of fertility treatments may seem overwhelming at first, the process is often much more manageable than expected. With the right guidance and support, egg freezing can be a straightforward and empowering experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Allison K. Rodgers, reproductive endocrinologist at Fertility Centers of Illinois<\/a>, provides a clear, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the egg freezing process with confidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before beginning the process, a fertility specialist will conduct an evaluation to assess ovarian reserve and overall reproductive health. This typically involves: <\/p>\n\n\n\n A fertility specialist may also use an egg freezing calculator using your current age to estimate the number of eggs needed to optimize success. It\u2019s important to remember that not all follicles seen on an ultrasound will contain mature eggs, and not all mature eggs will survive the freezing and thawing process. Because of this, a higher number of eggs increases the likelihood of a\u202fsuccessful pregnancy in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the evaluation is complete, your doctor will create a personalized treatment protocol<\/a> designed to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple follicles (that may contain eggs) in one cycle. This involves: <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the idea of daily injections may sound daunting, many people find that they are not as painful as expected. As Dr. Rodgers says, if you can pluck an eyebrow, you can handle fertility treatments! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the follicles have grown to the appropriate size, a trigger shot is administered to help mature them for retrieval. This shot<\/a> is typically given about 36 hours before the procedure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The egg retrieval is a quick and minimally invasive procedure. The entire procedure typically takes 10 to 15 minutes and is performed under sedation, meaning you won\u2019t feel anything.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the retrieval, the doctor will carefully access the ovaries through the vaginal wall to collect the fluid that contains the eggs using a small needle attached to an internal ultrasound. Once retrieved, the eggs are evaluated under a microscope, and typically, only the mature eggs are frozen. For most patients, about 75% of the eggs we collect are mature, and these mature eggs can be cryopreserved indefinitely\u2014there’s no expiration date on them, giving you flexibility for the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 1: Initial Evaluation\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Step 2: Developing a Treatment Plan\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Step 3: Triggering Ovulation\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 4: Egg Retrieval Procedure\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Empowering Your Future Through Egg Freezing\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n