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How Long Does the Egg Freezing Process Actually Take?
Considering an Egg freezing journey? Wondering how disruptive it is going to be? By now we are sure you have heard varied opinions about the process from other friends who have been through it as well as Dr. Google. One of the first questions often asked is, "How long does the Egg Freezing process actually take?". While we wish we could perform it instantly, Egg Freezing does takes some time and is often restricted by your biology. Understanding the Egg Freezing process timeline will help you plan ahead and manage expectations.
In this article, the Sama team outlines a typical IVF timeline, focusing on the stages from the start of ovarian stimulation to the egg retrieval and vitrification. We'll also cover the initial consultation, and preservation fertility pretesting.
Egg Freezing Timeline Overview
It is extremely important to realize that Egg Freezing is not a single treatment but a complex series of linked medication protocols, procedures, and laboratory techniques that have to be performed in a preset sequence. Egg Freezing is very similar in principle to an IVF cycle, except the eggs that are retreived are not fertilized and instead they are frozend own and stored in liquid nitrogen for a later date. To use the frozen eggs in the future, we will have to perform an IVF procedure followed by a Frozen or a Fresh Embryo Transfer. The average Egg Freezing cycle takes about 12-14 days from the start of medications to the egg retrieval procedure.
When accounting for consultations and other egg freezing pretesting, the egg freezing timeline at a regular clinic can extend to 3 months or longer from your initial consultation to your retrieval date. At Sama, the ideal time line for our patients however is just under one and a half months. Individual responses to the stimulation medications and procedures can vary, and protocols may need to be updated, potentially extending the timeline.
Preparation for Egg Freezing: 30 Days Prior to Treatment
Fertility Testing
Before starting the Egg Freezing process, thorough fertility pretesting is conducted to assess various factors affecting reproductive health.
Female Testing:
- Bloodwork: Panel assessing general, hormonal, and fertility health.
- Imaging: A vaginal ultrasound to assess antral follicle count and general uterine health is performed.
At Sama, we understand how precious your time is. That's why we've created SelfStart-Egg Freezing, a revolutionary service designed to kickstart your preservation journey and eliminate those frustrating wait times.
Egg Freezing Cycle Timeline
After fertility testing, you’re ready to begin the Egg Freezing cycle. Here’s what comes next:
Phase 1: Ovarian Stimulation | From Day 1 to Day 9-12
The Egg Freezing process begins on the first day of your period, entering the stimulation phase. Based on your treatment plan, your fertility specialist will prescribe injectable medications, usually follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Increasing these hormones stimulates your body to produce more follicles, each containing a mature egg for retrieval. Anywhere Monitoring at Sama includes blood tests to assess hormone levels and ultrasounds to monitor follicle development conveniently; locally or at-home. In other clinics, you would be expected to go into the clinic every other day for these monitoring appointments.
Phase 2: Egg Retrieval | Day 12-14, 35 Hours After the Trigger Shot
Egg retrieval typically occurs 12-14 days after beginning hormone-based stimulation. The fertility doctor uses a thin needle to extract fluid from the mature follicles that contains the eggs.
Phase 3: Embryology | Day 12-14
After retrieval, eggs are assessed by an embryologist, a highly trained embryo scientist to ensure maturity. Mature eggs are identified under the microscope by the embryologist and frozen down.
The Bottom Line: How Long Does the Egg Freezing Process Take?
While the technical Egg Freezing timeline is about 30 days, similar to a natural menstrual cycle. However, a comprehensive IVF timeline includes the 30-90 days prior to the procedure (preconception) and the two weeks after implantation for monitoring.
With Sama SelfStart-Egg Freezing, we can reduce the pretesting period to less than 2 weeks by getting your preservation pretesting started today.
At Sama an end-to-end process from testing to egg retrieval takes less than 45 days. However it is important to realize that every person’s experience may vary, and adjustments to the IVF timeline are possible.
If you're new to the Egg Freezing journey and looking for expert guidance on your path to parenthood, schedule a consultation with one of Sama's fertility specialists. We're here to support you every step of the way.
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