Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a method of preserving a woman’s fertility by extracting, freezing, and storing her eggs to be utilized in the future. Kanaa Fertility Centre in Chennai assists women in making personal decisions regarding giving birth with safe and efficient egg freezing techniques.
Why Do Women Freeze Their Eggs?
Women freeze their eggs for many personal and medical reasons:
- Delaying pregnancy due to work, education, or to find the right partner
- Preserving fertility before cancer therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation
- Having conditions like PCOS or endometriosis that may influence fertility
- Gender transformation for recipients of hormone therapy or surgery.
By freezing your eggs early, you are increasing your ability to have a successful pregnancy down the line.
When is the Right Time to Freeze Eggs?
The entire egg-freezing procedure typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. The following is a brief step-by-step description:
1. Examination & Consultation
Your initial step is to see a fertility doctor. We will review your medical history, take blood tests, and do a transvaginal ultrasound to determine how many eggs you have. Depending on your test, we will develop a customized treatment plan.
2. Ovarian Stimulation
You will receive hormone injections (typically FSH and LH) for approximately 10 to 12 days to induce your ovaries to produce additional eggs. We will monitor your hormone levels and follicular development with ultrasounds and blood work during this time. You will have approximately 3 to 5 visits.
When the follicles are at the right size, you’ll get a shot that triggers the eggs to grow.
3. Egg Retrieval
Approximately 36 hours after the trigger shot, we will schedule the egg retrieval procedure. It is done with sedation and a thin, ultrasound-guided needle. The eggs are gently removed from the follicles. It takes about 10 to 20 minutes, and you may be sent home the same day.
4. Freezing the Eggs
Once we receive the eggs, our embryologist picks the mature eggs and freezes them through a process known as vitrification. This rapid freezing process preserves the eggs and maximizes the survival rate.
Recovery Following Egg Retrieval
You might experience cramping, bloating, or light spotting for one or two days. The majority of women resume normal activities within 24 to 48 hours. If you experience heavy bleeding, dizziness, or severe pain, call your doctor right away.
Are there risks or side effects?
Egg freezing is usually safe, but, like all medical procedures, it carries risks:
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): As a side effect of hormone injections, which cause swollen ovaries and pain.
- Mood swings and stress due to hormonal fluctuations
- Mild tenderness or inflammation at the site of injection
- Uncommon dangers such as ovarian torsion, where the ovary twists and interrupts blood supply
We closely monitor you at Kanaa Fertility Centre and modify your medication if required to reduce such risks.
What is the Cost of freezing eggs in India
The cost of egg freezing in India varies depending on the clinic and city. On average, each cycle includes consultation, medications, monitoring, egg retrieval, and freezing. You can contact us here for a personalised cost estimate based on your needs.
Egg freezing is an empowering option that allows women to choose when and how to start their families. If you’re considering it, book a consultation with our experts at Kanaa Fertility Centre in Chennai. We’ll walk you through every step and make sure you’re comfortable with the process.