If you’re reading this it’s likely that you’ve already put some thought into the future of your fertility. People consider egg freezing for a multitude of reasons. Maybe you haven’t found the right partner, perhaps your career is just taking off or maybe you don’t know if you want to be a parent at all, but would like to have the option in the future should your thoughts on the matter change. The harsh reality is that we are born with a certain number of eggs, and over time this supply decreases, leading many people to weigh-up their options for starting a family down the line.
What Does it Involve?
Your first step would be to book a consultation with a private fertility clinic, as this treatment is not currently available on the NHS in most circumstances. From here they will test your current egg supply to give you an idea as to whether egg freezing is the right choice for you at that time. If you decide to go ahead with the procedure you will then begin a preparatory phase to get your body ready to have eggs harvested. This may involve starting contraceptives and administering injectable medications to stimulate the ovaries. After this stage your eggs will be ready to be extracted. The entire appointment usually takes around two hours, and eggs are removed from the ovary whilst the patient is under anaesthesia. Your eggs will then be frozen under laboratory conditions and stored until you wish to use or dispose of them.
What Are The Benefits?
The primary benefit of egg freezing is strengthening your chances of conceiving in the future, allowing you to be in control of your own fertility and allowing you time and flexibility when it comes to starting a family. Many people choose to freeze their eggs even if they plan to continue to try and conceive naturally. Studies show that the age of the egg is generally the most important factor when it comes to successful conception. An egg frozen when you were 30 is much more likely to be viable than an egg that has remained in your body until you are 40. Because of this, some people choose to use egg freezing as a fallback plan in the case they encounter problems with conception. Egg freezing is also a practical option for those who are scheduled to undergo medical treatments which may affect the health of their eggs, such as chemotherapy.
What Are The Cons?
With any medical procedure there are of course risks involved, however, the likelihood of complications occurring is very slim. There is also the cost to consider, not only is there the initial extraction procedure, but egg storage also often comes at an additional fee and thawing and implantation will cost extra on top of that. Despite this, many people consider this process to be an investment and feel the benefits outweigh the monetary cost. Finally, it is worth noting that this treatment isn’t guaranteed to result in a successful pregnancy, as there may be other factors affecting your fertility. Many people choose initially to have their egg count checked so a medical professional can evaluate the health and quantity of their existing eggs, helping them decide whether egg freezing is right for them.
What are your thoughts on freezing my eggs?
*Collaborative post