Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Infertility During the Holidays
The holidays can be emotional, especially if you’ve been struggling with infertility. Here are some ways you can prioritize your well-being.
Elective Oocyte
From 1970 to 2013, the average age of first-time moms in the U.S. increased by 5 years. The trend to postpone starting a family has had a negative impact on the fertility rate. Elective oocyte cryopreservation is one method for women to increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy at a more advanced age.
Why Opt for Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation?
At birth, you have all of the oocytes, or eggs, that will last your lifetime. Older oocytes can make it more challenging to conceive naturally and increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. In order to preserve your fertility, speak with a fertility specialist about elective oocyte cryopreservation, also known as social egg freezing.
Process for Social Egg Freezing
If you decide to have your eggs frozen for fertility preservation, the process mimics an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Generally, natural cycles result in a single egg maturing and being released. Your reproductive endocrinologist will give you medications that stimulate the ovaries to mature multiple eggs.
In order to retrieve the mature eggs, your fertility specialist will monitor your cycle using blood tests and transvaginal ultrasound. When the oocytes have reached maturity, they are collected through a needle that goes into the ovary through the back of the vaginal wall. This procedure is out-patient and performed under anesthesia. Your fertility specialist can answer any questions you have about the social egg freezing process.
Optimal Age for Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation
If you plan on having a baby prior to age 37, social egg freezing may not be necessary. For women not planning to have children until after 37, studies have shown the highest success rates when oocytes are frozen at prior to age 34. The younger your age at the time of oocyte cryopreservation, the higher the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Your reproductive endocrinologist can discuss option with social egg freezing based on your individual circumstance.
Medical Conditions and Social Egg Freezing
Certain medical conditions can be detrimental to fertility. If methods like elective oocyte cryopreservation are not sought, treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can damage immature oocytes and cause infertility. In addition, some women suffer from premature ovarian failure, where there ovaries stop releasing eggs regularly before age 40. Social egg freezing can be a way to preserve fertility when faced with medical conditions, such as these.
Success Rates for Elective Oocyte Cryopreservation
Elective oocyte cryopreservation is an emerging procedure, so the sample pool is small. While it does not guarantee a pregnancy or live birth- initial rates are comparable to those seen in fresh oocyte or frozen embryo IVF.
You Might Also Enjoy...
How to Talk About Infertility With Family and Friends During Gatherings
If you or someone in your family or friends circle is struggling with infertility, gatherings can be times of anxiety because of invasive questions or unwanted advice. We offer some guidance in this blog post.
What Is the Difference Between IUI and IVF?
If you’re looking for solutions to infertility, you may be recommended for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). But what’s the difference? Keep reading to find out.
Can I Get Pregnant If I Have PCOS?
Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome can impact your fertility, making it difficult to get pregnant. Here’s what you need to know.
What Can I Expect Before, During, and After the Egg Harvesting Procedure?
Do you need to harvest your eggs to freeze them or before beginning a round of IVF? Here’s a breakdown of the procedure to help you be informed before you start the process. Keep reading.
I've Had Multiple Miscarriages: Should I Stop Trying?
A miscarriage is devastating, and multiple miscarriages only expand and prolong your grief. Should you give up, or should you keep trying for a baby? Keep reading for some answers.