Harvesting and freezing eggs until pregnancy is desired is called egg freezing or mature oocyte cryopreservation. It is basically to preserve reproductive potential of a women even at a later age. This technique allows a female the freedom to choose motherhood at their own preference, putting their career and life achievements first before starting a family.
After reviewing the medical history, the doctor conducts blood tests and ultrasound to assess hormone levels and ovarian health. Egg freezing preparation takes about two weeks. Typically, one egg is released per month. Fewer eggs for freezing means lower chances of successful pregnancy. Preparation starts with stimulating the ovaries using fertility drugs for about a week, inducing superovulation. Meanwhile, ultrasound monitors the ovaries to determine egg readiness for harvest.
Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved through sedation using a needle or small abdominal surgery.
Eggs labeled, placed in containers, then in cryo tanks with liquid nitrogen. Vitrification speeds up the process. Preventing ice crystal formation is crucial for egg health.
Once the female is prepared for childbirth, ART procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are carried out. During these procedures, the fertility specialist fertilizes the egg in a laboratory using sperm from the male partner or a donor, as needed.
After a successful process, the embryo develops and is then implanted in the uterus about six days later using an ultrasound-guided catheter through the vagina and past the cervix. A surrogate may also be used if the female's uterus was compromised due to cancer treatment.