Hey there! If you’ve been thinking about egg freezing, you’re not alone. Many women are taking proactive steps to preserve their fertility, especially as they navigate life’s challenges and career goals. This method, known as egg freezing or oocyte cryopreservation, has come a long way, thanks to advances in technology like vitrification—a super-fast freezing process that significantly boosts the survival rates of eggs.
Historically, egg freezing was considered experimental until around 2011, but now it’s a widely recognized option for women who want to delay motherhood. Since the early days of this technique, professional organizations have confirmed its safety and efficacy based on numerous healthy births resulting from frozen eggs. The choice to freeze eggs can be particularly appealing for women who are single and considering their future family options.
How Does Egg Freezing Work?
Essentially, women undergo ovarian stimulation to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and frozen. At our clinic, we’ve been keeping track of our egg freezing procedures, and here’s a quick snapshot: since January 2012, we’ve performed over 120 egg retrievals for freezing, with patients averaging around 38 years old. On average, we’ve successfully frozen nearly 12 eggs per retrieval cycle.
How Many Eggs Should I Freeze?
A common question is, “How many eggs should I freeze?” Well, it really depends on your age. If you’re under 37, aiming for about 12 eggs is a good start. If you’re between 37 and 39, consider freezing 12 to 20 eggs. And for those over 40, more than 20 eggs may be necessary to ensure you have a decent shot at creating viable embryos later on.
It’s important to note that as women are increasingly delaying childbirth, age-related fertility challenges are becoming more common. This makes the option of egg freezing not just a safety net but a practical choice for many. We encourage those interested to have open conversations with their healthcare providers about this option.
Additional Resources
If you’d like to explore more about your options, check out this excellent resource on fertility treatments. You might also find our other blog post interesting, which talks about your expected arrival date if you’re considering starting a family soon.
Conclusion
In summary, egg freezing is an empowering choice for women looking to take control of their reproductive futures. With advancements in technology and growing acceptance, it’s an option that’s here to stay.