Should you freeze your eggs?
Thinking about freezing your eggs? Here’s what you need to know…
Egg freezing is a treatment that has been around since the 80’s. The process is essentially the first half of the IVF process, but instead of the eggs being fertilised, they are frozen so they can be thawed at a later date in the hope they will lead to a baby.
Firstly, I think this is a topic that is not talked about enough and one that sadly, still feels a little bit taboo. There definitely aren’t enough resources and support out there, or women talking openly about it. I work with women at all parts of their fertility journey, including women who are preparing to go through egg freezing. It’s also something I’ve considered myself and know when I first started to research and talk to others about it, I found that there was a lack of open conversation about the process.
So what do you need to know?
It’s a chance at a baby, not a guarantee or backup plan
Only you can weight up the pros and cons and assess whether egg freezing is right for you but it’s important to go into it with eyes wide open.
There’s a misconception that seeking fertility treatment is a sure-fire backup plan that will guarantee you a baby as a final option but this is not always the case. It can absolutely take the pressure off baby timelines but it’s important to know that with egg freezing, like IFV, there are lots of hurdles to success and there are no guarantees. Firstly, the number of eggs you harvest is important. Fertility doctors recommend around 20 eggs for the best chances of success, which can mean some women need to go through multiple cycles as the number varies from woman to woman. Quality is more important as a high quantity doesn’t always correlate with quality.
How many eggs survive the thawing process and can be successfully used depends on how old you were when you froze them and how many are healthy and viable once they come out of storage. When you are ready to use the eggs, and they are fertilised, this part is the IVF process so the eggs (and sperm) need to be of high quality to grow into zygotes to be implanted. You then wait two weeks (known as the two-week wait) to find out if implantation has happened successfully and if you’re pregnant.
These aren’t arguments for and against egg-freezing and only you can decide what’s best for you.
2. There’s no ‘perfect’ age to freeze but there are more ideal ages.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), an optimal time to freeze your eggs is in your 20s and early 30s, while you have a higher ovarian reserve (the number of eggs in your ovaries) and healthier eggs. Your clinic will test your AMH which can tell you something about the state of your ovarian reserve and help you decide, with the input of your doctor, if egg freezing is right for you.
3. It can be a tough process physically & emotionally so be kind to yourself and ask for support where you need it.
Egg freezing, like any fertility treatment is intense. Before you even get to the part where the eggs are actually frozen you’ll have lots of tests and appointments. You’ll have your blood drawn to test your ovarian reserve, you might also have an ultrasound done to check your follicle count. Like IVF you take medication through a cycle which means that instead of one follicle being dominant, many mature at the same time. After an ultrasound has confirmed your follicles are ready for egg retrieval, you'll give yourself injectable human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to help with egg maturation. The eggs are the harvested from the ovaries with a needle (which is inserted through the vaginal wall under anaesthetic).
Self-care is super important. I often get my clients to build a self-care tool-kit of tools that work for them that they can lean on without having to think too much about it when they are feeling overwhelmed. Feeling supported is also key, so asking for help where you need it or maybe working with a therapist or coach could be something to consider.
4. There are lots of things you can do to maximise your chances by working on egg quality and on your health at least three months prior.
Just like TTC naturally, egg quality is everything. Fertility treatment is amazing but it isn’t magic and can’t compensate for DNA quality in the egg and sperm. Laying the foundations of supplements, diet and lifestyle at least three months prior can really help to maximise chances of success. Things like alcohol and smoking are things women who are freezing their eggs might not think about as there’s a misconception that this is only important when you get pregnant. Stopping smoking and being mindful of your alcohol intake ahead of freezing is really key as well as looking at the toxins in your environment.