The decision to become a mother doesn't always coincide with the biological possibilities of the body. For this reason, more and more women are considering egg freezing (social freezing) as a way to preserve their chance of having a biological child at a later age.
So, how does the entire process work in practice? Dr. Ondřej Bačík from Unica Clinic Prague explains the steps—starting from the first consultation all the way to storing the eggs in the cryobank.
First Consultation and Examination
The entire process begins with a thorough medical consultation. The doctor asks the patient about her health status, family history, medications, or any surgeries she may have undergone.
The first visit also includes a comprehensive examination, which consists of:
- Blood tests focused on hormonal profiling
- Ultrasound examination of the ovaries
One of the key indicators is AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone). This hormone helps doctors determine the ovarian reserve, which is the approximate number of eggs in the ovaries.
A great advantage of AMH is that its level is not significantly affected by the phase of the menstrual cycle, so it can be tested almost anytime. The results are then compared with the ultrasound findings, especially the number of antral follicles in the ovaries.
Hormonal Stimulation of the Ovaries
If the patient decides to proceed with egg freezing, the next step is ovarian hormonal stimulation. This is done through medication in the form of injections, which the patient administers subcutaneously in the lower abdomen.
The goal of the stimulation is to encourage the ovaries to mature multiple follicles simultaneously. In a regular menstrual cycle, usually only one follicle matures, releasing one egg. Thanks to hormonal stimulation, it is possible to retrieve multiple eggs.
The optimal goal of the stimulation is to obtain approximately 15 to 20 mature eggs, with the entire process carefully adjusted to ensure the patient's safety.
Egg Retrieval
The egg retrieval itself is usually done under short general anesthesia and lasts about 10 minutes.
The patient arrives at the clinic in the morning, fasting. After the procedure, she stays at the clinic for several hours for observation, and if everything is fine, she can go home the same day with an escort.
In some cases, the retrieval can also be done without general anesthesia, such as when a smaller number of follicles have matured. This option is always discussed in advance with the patient.
Embryologists' Work in the Laboratory
The fluid obtained from the follicles is then handed over to the laboratory, where embryologists search for mature eggs. These eggs are then briefly cultured to complete the maturation process.
Once the eggs are ready, they are frozen using the vitrification method. This is a very fast freezing process that prevents the formation of ice crystals and helps preserve the cell quality.
The eggs are then stored in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196°C, where all biological processes stop. In these conditions, the eggs can be preserved for a long time.
How Frozen Eggs Can Be Used
If a woman decides to use her eggs in the future, the embryologist will thaw them and fertilize them with sperm from a partner or a donor. The fertilized eggs are then cultured for several days in the laboratory until they develop into embryos ready for transfer to the uterus.
Egg freezing preserves the quality of the eggs at the time of retrieval, which can be especially important as age increases, when both the quality and quantity of eggs naturally decline.
A Way to Preserve More Time
Social freezing gives women the opportunity to better plan their future and maintain greater flexibility when deciding about parenthood. It is not a guarantee of pregnancy, but rather a way to preserve the chance of having a biological child at a time when the woman is ready.
If you are interested in the topic of egg freezing, schedule a non-binding consultation with us. We will be happy to explain everything step by step and help you make an important decision for your future.
