Egg freezing generally takes 12-14 days from the first injection until egg retrieval.
The Process
1️⃣ Initial Appointment:
- Discuss the process and undergo blood tests to check AMH, reproductive hormones, thyroid (aiming for TSH <2.5), Hepatitis B, and HIV.
- The AMH level and your age will determine the right dose of medication to stimulate the ovaries.
2️⃣ Injections:
- Starting from the beginning of your period, you’ll have one injection (FSH) for 5-6 days to stimulate extra follicles to develop.
- A second injection (GnRH antagonist) is added to prevent ovulation.
- Blood tests and a pelvic ultrasound (typically on days 8 and 10) will review the ovaries and check if the follicles are ready for retrieval.
- Medication levels may be adjusted based on hormone levels to reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
- On day 11, a trigger injection is given to release the eggs 36 hours later, ready for retrieval.
3️⃣ Egg Retrieval:
- You can choose light sedation with an anaesthetist or stay awake with a green whistle.
- After the procedure, the fertility specialist will inform you of the number of eggs collected, and a scientist will later confirm the number of eggs successfully frozen.
Costs and Considerations
- The total cost ranges from $7,000 to $10,000, varying between clinics and depending on medication doses and hospital/specialist fees.
- Some conditions may qualify for a rebate.
- There is an annual $500 storage fee.
Impact on Fertility
- Egg freezing does not negatively impact your fertility or deplete your egg reserve.
- At age 32, women generally have over 100,000 eggs, so retrieving 10-20 eggs is negligible.
Personal Experience
- While I wasn’t very emotional, I was extremely exhausted, even falling asleep at work.
- Pelvic bloating and fluid retention (2-3kg) were noticeable, and I avoided exercise from day 5.
- The day after retrieval, I started feeling better and did a light jog a few days later.
- By the time my period arrived, my body felt back to normal. 😊