EGG FREEZING PROCESS: DR RAMA SOFAT HOSPITAL

EGG FREEZING PROCESS: DR RAMA SOFAT HOSPITAL

Egg freezing is a novel technique. The first successful report of normal development of frozen human oocytes to hatching blastocyst stage was in the year 1995.

Q1. What is oocyte freezing? 

Ans. Oocyte freezing is a relatively new technique in which eggs can be stored at temperatures below freezing point. The procedure of egg retrieval following ovarian stimulation is similar to that IVF. Once the eggs are retrieved they are placed in a freezing solution and then cooled very slowly using assisted freezing machine. 

 Q2. Who are the candidates for oocyte freezing? 

Ans.Women undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer can freeze their eggs before commencing the treatment, for future fertility. Women with a higher chance of having premature ovarian failure Women less than 35 years who wish to preserve the eggs for future use as they either do not have partners or due to medical reasons.

 Q3. How successful is egg freezing? 

Ans.Since the technique is relatively new, it is difficult to predict the outcome but worldwide about 100 babies have been born through this process.

 Q4. Are the babies born after oocyte freezing normal & healthy? 

Ans. Studies done so far as human oocytes suggests that freezing does not damage the intricate structures within the egg. But the safety of the procedure is yet to be proved. Embryo Freezing – Cryptopreservation of embryos has led to tremendous improvement in the pregnancy rate and cumulative success rate possible following a single cycle of IVF.