Egg freezing has gained an incredible preference among women who are looking for fertility. Be it long-awaited career goals, medical/health reasons or simply because you’re single right now, egg freezing is a liberating option for many women. Read on to know all about egg freezing & pregnancy– the role it plays in your future fertility
Can egg freezing ensure pregnancy?
Egg freezing increases the chances of being able to conceive in future. However, it doesn’t guarantee or ensure pregnancy as it depends on several factors that influence whether a frozen egg will result in a successful pregnancy or not.
As per recent studies, 90-97% eggs can survive the freezing and thawing process. However, it is not necessary that all thawed eggs will fertilize.
Women who consider egg freezing & pregnancy before age 35 have a 50-60% chance of live birth if they store a sufficient number of eggs.
While these numbers indicate a promising outlook, some eggs lose their viability during the thawing process. Even after successful fertilization, implantation in the uterus is not guaranteed.
Major factors that affect success rates of future pregnancy with egg freezing:
- Age while undergoing egg freezing process: The earlier you freeze your eggs, the better their quality. Women below 35 years of age are more likely to have higher success rates as their eggs are more healthy. Going for egg freezing after 38 years exhibit slightly lower success rates.
- Number of eggs frozen: More eggs increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Usually, embryologists may recommend freezing 12-14 eggs to maintain your good chances of success.
- Quality of egg: Not all eggs that doctors retrieve are viable for fertilization. Some eggs lose their viability during the thawing process. Even after successful fertilization, implantation in the uterus is not guaranteed.
- Sperm quality: Without a healthy sperm, fertilization and embryo development is not possible. In case of poor sperm quality, fertilization may fail even if the eggs are good.
- Uterine health: A receptive healthy uterine lining is an integral part of embryo implantation. Uterine conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, or hormonal imbalances can affect success.
- IVF Success rates: Frozen eggs must undergo ICSI, that also has many variables to consider for success rates.
Who can consider egg freezing?
Egg freezing is the best-suited option for women in the following scenarios:
- Wish to delay pregnancy due to personal or professional timelines or goals
- Are going through extensive medical treatments that negatively affect fertility
- Have a family history of early menopause.
- Ovarian reserve is low and thus want to go for egg preservation
- Have ongoing IVF treatment and want to preserve extra eggs for future purposes
What to do to have better chances for future pregnancy?
If you want to consider egg freezing, being mindful of the following things optimize your future pregnancy:
- Freeze eggs before 35 for better quality and higher success rates.
- Store enough eggs – aim for at least 12-14 eggs if possible.
- Choose a trusted fertility clinic with high success rates in egg freezing and IVF.
- Keep up with healthy lifestyle choices – nourishing a healthy diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking/alcohol boost fertility.
- Embryo freezing is an effective option– If you have a partner or donor sperm, freezing embryos has higher success rates than eggs alone.
Though egg freezing does not guarantee future pregnancy, it greatly boosts the chances of having a baby later in life. It is an empowering approach for fertility preservation, making women feel more centred and in control of their lives. It saves them from constantly freaking out over their biological clock. However, remember to move with realistic expectations and know that success depends on multiple factors.
Consult a fertility specialist to check your ovarian reserve and make a personalized plan that best suits your needs. Book your appointment at Ferticity IVF & Fertility Clinics.
Also Read : IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) | What It Is & What To Expect After