The entire egg-freezing process typically takes 2-4 weeks. This includes 10-12 days of hormone injections to stimulate egg production, with regular monitoring appointments. The egg retrieval procedure itself takes about 15-20 minutes, but you'll need a full day for the procedure and recovery. The eggs are then immediately frozen through a process called vitrification.
Yes, freezing your eggs does not affect your ability to get pregnant naturally. The procedure only retrieves some of the eggs that would naturally be lost during your menstrual cycle, and your body will continue to ovulate as usual. Frozen eggs serve as a backup option and don't interfere with your current fertility.
The egg collection procedure itself takes about 15-20 minutes. However, you should plan to be at the clinic for several hours on the day of retrieval for preparation, the procedure, and recovery. It's recommended to take the rest of the day off to recover fully from the light sedation or general anaesthesia used during the procedure.
Egg freezing is generally considered safe with minimal risks. The most common side effects are related to hormone stimulation and may include bloating, mood swings, and breast tenderness. There's a small risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and minor surgical risks, but serious complications are rare. Long-term studies show no increased risks for children born from frozen eggs compared to fresh eggs.
Egg freezing involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, retrieving these eggs, and then freezing the mature ones. The process begins with hormone injections, followed by egg retrieval through a minor surgical procedure. Immediately after retrieval, the eggs are evaluated and frozen using a technique called vitrification, which prevents ice crystal formation that could damage the eggs.