Introduction
Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, has become an increasingly popular option for patients looking to preserve their fertility for the future. Whether you’re considering freezing your eggs due to career planning, medical reasons, or personal circumstances, understanding the process can help you make an informed decision. We’ve created this step-by-step guide to walk you through each stage of the egg freezing process, from your initial consultation to the storage process.
New Patient Appointment
Your egg freezing journey at Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago begins with a new patient appointment, which can be conducted in one of our four locations or via telemedicine. During this session, you’ll discuss your future family goals with a physician who will assist in planning your treatment. This appointment gives you ample time to ask questions and become familiar with the process. We will also help schedule a transvaginal ultrasound and bloodwork tests to assess your ovarian reserve and reproductive health.
Pre-Cycle Preparation
Before starting your cycle, your care team will review the egg freezing process with you, your customized medication protocol, as well as applicable cycle fees and coverage. Prescriptions will be sent electronically to your chosen pharmacy and medications will be mailed to you. Prior to starting treatment, your care team will ensure that all required consent forms have been signed, bloodwork has been performed, your medications have been delivered, and that you are financially cleared.
Baseline Appointment
The day your baseline appointment takes place can vary depending on your treatment protocol. However, within approximately two days of starting your period, you’ll visit the clinic for a baseline ultrasound and blood test to verify that your ovaries are suppressed and ready for stimulation. If everything looks good, you’ll begin at-home injections, which are the first active step in the egg freezing process.
Injections and Monitoring
This phase involves daily injectable medications administered at home over 10 – 14 days, depending on your treatment plan. During this time, you’ll also visit the clinic 3 – 5 times for ultrasounds and bloodwork to monitor follicular development and hormone levels. The results will guide any necessary adjustments to your medication dosage.
Trigger Shot
Around day 10, your physician will assess whether your eggs are ready for retrieval. If so, you’ll be given a “trigger shot,” a timed injection that causes the eggs to mature in preparation for retrieval. This shot must be administered at the exact time specified by your care team, as your retrieval will take place 34 – 36 hours later.
Egg Retrieval
Egg retrieval is a quick, minimally invasive procedure performed under anesthesia at the clinic, lasting 15 – 30 minutes. Your eggs will be collected under ultrasound guidance. Recovery at our facility is approximately one hour. After retrieval, the embryology team will assess the eggs, and the mature ones will be flash-frozen in a process known as vitrification and cryopreserved for future use. Plan to have a companion drive you home afterwards and take the rest of the day to relax. Depending on your work demands, you may be able to return to work the next day.
Egg Storage and Next Steps
For the majority of patients, your eggs will be stored at AFCC. Now your egg freezing journey is complete—at least for now. Your frozen eggs will remain viable for many years, giving you the flexibility to use them whenever you’re ready to start a family. Rest assured that our highly experienced fertility team and our facility take every step to ensure the safety of your stored eggs.
Conclusion
Egg freezing is a very important option in taking control of your reproductive health and future family planning. By understanding each stage of the process, you can approach your journey with confidence and peace of mind. Whether you’re ready to begin the process or are still weighing your options, your fertility care team is here to support you. Start a conversation with us today!
