Bloom IVF, the leading IVF center in Mumbai, offers professional advice and individualized treatment to ladies considering egg freezing. Our blog will walk you through the whole egg-freezing procedure, from the first consultations to the extraction and preservation of the eggs.
Egg Freezing Process Step by Step
Step 1- First Consultation and Fertility Evaluation
A preliminary meeting with a fertility doctor is the first stage in the egg-freezing process. Your doctor will assess your fertility and general health during this visit. Your ovarian reserve, or the number of eggs you have remaining, will be determined by a battery of tests, a thorough medical history, and a discussion of any fertility-related worries you may have.
Usually, the most important fertility tests are:
- Blood tests: These are used to monitor hormone levels, including Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), which is a good indicator of the number of eggs in your body.
- Ultrasound: To estimate the amount of eggs that could be recovered, an antral follicle count (AFC) counts the follicles that are visible in your ovaries using ultrasound imaging.
These tests provide your doctor with important information about your fertility potential and how effective the egg-freezing procedure will likely be for you.
Step 2 – Ovarian Stimulation
Ovarian stimulation comes next if your doctor decides you’re a suitable candidate for egg freezing. To induce your ovaries to produce numerous eggs instead of the one egg produced during a regular menstrual cycle, you will need to take hormonal drugs. Retrieving more eggs increases the likelihood of obtaining viable ones for use in the future, therefore this step is critical.
Hormonal Medicines
First, you will start with 8–12 days of injectable hormones. Among these drugs are:
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): These hormones cause the ovaries to generate more eggs.
- GnRH antagonists: They stop the body from ovulating too soon.
Your follicles’ growth and development will be monitored during this period by blood tests and ultrasounds, which you will visit the center every few days. To ensure ideal egg production, your doctor will modify the dosage of the drug as necessary.
Also Read: Egg Freezing Age Limit
Step 3 – Trigger Shot
When your follicles are the right size, usually between 18 and 22 mm, it’s time to start ovulation. An injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or a related hormone that completes egg maturation and gets them ready for retrieval is known as a “trigger shot.”
This shot’s timing is crucial. It is given around 36 hours before the egg extraction process to ensure the eggs are developed but not yet discharged by the body. The accuracy of the shot depends heavily on time, therefore your doctor will give you detailed instructions on when and how to give it.
Step 4 – Retrieval of Eggs
The most crucial stage of the egg-freezing procedure is egg retrieval, which is often carried out 36 hours following the trigger shot. You won’t experience any pain or discomfort because the treatment is done under sedation or mild anesthesia.
A fertility professional will use an ultrasound-guided needle to extract the eggs from the ovaries during egg retrieval. After passing through the vaginal wall, the needle is placed within the ovaries to carefully extract the eggs. For most women, the entire procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes, and they may be back at home in a few hours.
Upon retrieval, the eggs are sent right away to the laboratory for quality and maturity assessments.
Step 5 – Egg Freezing
The mature eggs are vitrified (freeze-frozen) following their retrieval and examination. By quickly cooling the eggs, vitrification—a sophisticated freezing technique—prevents the creation of ice crystals that may harm the cells. The quality of eggs has been very successfully maintained for long-term preservation using this strategy.
The liquid nitrogen tanks holding the frozen eggs are kept at a temperature of -196°C. You have the option to use these frozen eggs whenever you’re ready to become pregnant because they can stay viable for several years.
Step 6 – Storing and Utilising Later
Your eggs are securely kept at the fertility center once they are frozen. If necessary, you can store your frozen eggs for up to ten years. When the time comes to use the eggs, the frozen eggs will be unfrozen, in vitro fertilized (IVF) with sperm, and then transferred to your uterus to get pregnant.
It’s crucial to remember that not every egg will thaw and not every fertilised egg will become a viable pregnancy. Fertility experts therefore frequently advise preserving more eggs than you anticipate needing.
Recovery After Retrieval
Most women have moderate cramps, bloating, or bleeding for a few days following egg retrieval. These are typical symptoms that will go away on their own. When it’s safe to return to your regular activities, and how to handle any discomfort, will be discussed with you by your doctor. (Read: Egg Freezing cost in mumbai)
It’s critical to give your body enough time to relax and heal following the treatment. For a few days, stay away from hard lifting and intense exertion; nevertheless, strolling is usually fine.
Conclusion
For women who wish to take charge of their reproductive future and maintain their fertility, egg freezing is a game-changing possibility. You may choose when the timing is appropriate for motherhood thanks to the method, which gives flexibility and peace of mind while requiring meticulous planning and several processes.
See a fertility professional if you’re thinking about freezing your eggs so you can go over your options and get individualized advice. As the Best IVF Centre in Mumbai, Bloom IVF offers professional treatment and cutting-edge technologies. Contact Bloom IVF now to book a consultation and begin the process of maintaining your fertility.