Ding Dong! A Must-Collect Guide to Egg Freezing in the U.S. Has Arrived

2024-08-11 18:20:09，浏览量： 18次

 

Monica, a 45-year-old woman from Argentina, successfully became pregnant using two eggs she had frozen at the age of 33, along with her husband's sperm, through IVF technology, and gave birth to a set of twin daughters. This case set a world record for giving birth using frozen eggs that had been stored for a longer duration, providing relief to many women who wish to freeze their eggs but are concerned about their longevity and safety.

 

Many friends are still unclear about the specific process and required time for egg freezing. Today, let’s clarify this together. First, the preparations before freezing eggs need to be treated as seriously as preparing for pregnancy. Exercising, conditioning the body, maintaining a healthy diet, adjusting the mindset, and regularizing the daily routine are all essential to meet the process of egg freezing in an optimal state.

 

The first step in egg freezing is the fertility assessment for women, which mainly includes blood tests to check AMH levels and transvaginal ultrasounds to examine the ovaries and uterus. AMH, or anti-Müllerian hormone, is currently the ideal biomarker for predicting ovarian response and assessing ovarian reserve function. Transvaginal ultrasound is an internal ultrasound method that effectively checks the size of the uterus, the endometrium, and the ovaries, determining the presence of conditions such as fibroids or cysts.

 

Once the test results are available, the doctor will decide whether contraceptive pills are needed based on the woman’s hormonal levels and will conduct further tests. If all conditions are met, our staff will recommend suitable hospitals and doctors in the U.S. based on individual circumstances and arrange a video consultation with the doctor. During the consultation, it is essential to inform the doctor in detail about personal health conditions and family medical history, so that the doctor can customize the ovulation induction plan and medication accordingly. Different individuals have varying responses and dosages for ovulation induction medications.

 

In China, starting the ovulation induction process is relatively simple, requiring only adherence to the personal schedule provided by the doctor for medication and injections, along with blood tests and monitoring of follicle development every two days. Our staff and American doctors will decide whether to adjust medications based on each follow-up visit's results.

 

Traveling to the U.S. for egg retrieval is a crucial step in the egg freezing process. The schedule for traveling to the U.S. is arranged according to individual circumstances. After arriving in the U.S., a consultation with the doctor is conducted the following day to check hormone levels and perform an ultrasound. Once all checks are normal and the follicles have matured, the doctor will confirm the egg retrieval date and administer the trigger shot 36 hours in advance. Patients are required to abstain from food and drink for 8 hours before the retrieval. Under ultrasound guidance, a very fine needle is inserted into the ovaries to complete the egg retrieval procedure, which lasts about 10 minutes, and the procedure is performed under deep sleep anesthesia without discomfort. The drug anesthesia period lasts about 30 minutes, and patients can return to their hotel for rest after approximately 40 minutes of observation without any issues.

 

The entire egg freezing process requires a stay of 5 to 7 days in the U.S. This technology requires high skill and experience from doctors, which is generally difficult to achieve in regular hospitals. The time for ovulation induction and the final results vary from person to person. Some women may only need 6 to 7 days of injections, while others may retrieve more than 30 eggs in one cycle, and some may retrieve fewer than 10. Different individuals also have varied reactions and side effects from ovulation induction medications. These medications are normal hormonal substances that metabolize quickly, and any side effects usually dissipate shortly after discontinuation. Currently, no long-term harm to women's health from ovulation induction medications has been observed in clinical practice.

 

In the U.S., egg freezing employs advanced vitrification technology. Eggs are first treated with a high concentration of cryoprotectant to replace the moisture within the cells, and then they are rapidly plunged into liquid nitrogen at -196°C. In this ultra-low temperature environment, all metabolism and molecular motion within the eggs stop, and genetic material remains unchanged.

 

So, how can one determine whether they need to freeze their eggs? Dr. Nathan Zhang, an expert in assisted reproduction and a medical doctor trained in the U.S., indicates that female fertility declines with age, and once a woman exceeds 35, the quality and quantity of eggs significantly decrease. Women should regularly check their ovarian fertility from the age of 25 or 30. If ovarian function is good, there is generally no need to rush into egg freezing. However, if ovarian conditions are poor, then considering egg freezing in the U.S. becomes necessary.

For most women, paying attention to ovarian health at a younger age helps decide whether egg freezing is needed and how urgent it is. If you have a need for egg freezing or IVF, we welcome you to IVF USA. Currently, IVF USA offers services such as egg freezing, IVF, and third-party assisted reproduction for those in need, with operations extending to IVF and egg freezing in Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other regions, in close collaboration with IVF doctors worldwide. Dr. Nathan Zhang and his team have rich experience in assisted reproduction and are committed to providing personalized consultation and services to every family in need. Let us work together to realize your dream of parenthood, bringing more happiness and hope.