In recent years, advancements in reproductive technology have given more women the option to take charge of their fertility journey. One popular option is oocyte (egg) freezing, which is a process where women can freeze their eggs to keep the possibility of future pregnancy open.

Egg freezing is a process where a woman's eggs are collected, frozen and then stored for future use. Many women are choosing this option as a way to have children later on in life, for reasons other than a medical necessity (such as cancer treatment). Egg freezing is often about giving yourself the flexibility to decide when the time feels right for you to start a family.

There are many reasons why a woman may consider freezing her eggs, including, concerns over fertility and/or age. Over time, your eggs naturally decrease in quality and quantity making it more challenging to conceive later on in life. By freezing your eggs at a younger age (under 34 is best), women can help protect their future chances of having a healthy pregnancy. Freezing your eggs can help extend the window of time for family planning, allowing more space for personal or relationship growth.

The process of freezing your eggs is broken down into three main steps:

1. Consultation and Fertility Check: First, you’ll meet with a specialist affiliated with Care Fertility who will evaluate your overall health and fertility. This involves a few tests to understand your egg count and quality. Your specialist will also talk you through the procedure, including any possible risks. You will need to watch an instructional video about IVF because you are technically undertaking IVF but stopping the process half way when you store the eggs. It is important to note that stored eggs, when warmed up, at this point in time, need to be fertilised using ICSI. You will also need to read an information handout on IVF and ICSI.

2. Ovarian Stimulation and Egg Collection: To help collect multiple eggs, you’ll take hormone injections for about 10-14 days to stimulate your ovaries. Once your eggs are ready, they’ll be collected in a simple procedure done under general anaesthetic.

3. Freezing and Storage: Your eggs are frozen using a method called vitrification, which prevents ice crystals from forming and preserves egg quality. These frozen eggs are then stored safely until you’re ready to use them in the future. Egg warming is improving all the time, however, about 6/8 eggs will survive warming. Your specialist will discuss how many eggs you need to store to have a reasonable chance of having a life birth.

While egg freezing can be a wonderful option for preserving fertility, it is important to know that success rates can vary, the chances of having a live birth depends on factors such as age at freezing and the number and quality of the eggs collected. A consultation with your Care Fertility specialist will help you to understand the success rates and any potential risks.