The ability to have children later in life is crucial for many couples and single women. Now may not be the time to start a family or grow a family, but pregnancy and childbirth can become riskier and more difficult with age. That’s why many patients consider female fertility preservation, which involves the freezing of eggs and embryos.
Dr. Ketan Patel has answered many questions about egg freezing from individuals living near one of our nationwide network of fertility clinics area. Many of the most common questions about fertility preservation involve the success rate of egg freezing. Let’s go over this fertility preservation option and discuss the factors that determine success.
How Egg Freezing Works
Egg freezing involves the harvesting of eggs from a patient. These eggs are then kept at temperatures well below zero. These ultra-low temperatures preserve the eggs for later use.
Just last year, a baby girl was born from an embryo preserved 27 years ago. This illustrates how long eggs and embryos can last and remain viable thanks to cryopreservation techniques.
Egg Freezing Success Rates
According to the Mayo Clinic, the chances of getting pregnant after implantation of frozen eggs are about 30 to 60 percent. These figures can vary, however, depending on a number of factors. Not all eggs will result in viable embryos, and not all embryos will result in live birth. This is why multiple eggs are harvested and preserved during the cryopreservation process.
Factors that Affect the Success Rate of Egg Freezing
There are a number of factors that affect the potential success of egg freezing. These factors include:
- The age of the patient at the time her eggs were frozen
- The age of the patient at the time of fertility treatment using the frozen eggs
- The number of available eggs
- The general and reproductive health of the patient going into the fertility procedure
All of the above factors are important when it comes to egg freezing and subsequent fertility procedures later in life. We can discuss these factors and other concerns with you as part of the consultation process.
Is Egg Freezing Right for Me?
Delaying the start of a family or holding off on having more kids is a major life decision. This is particularly true if there are health factors or personal matters that prompt the need for fertility preservation.
During the consultation process at Arizona Associates for Reproductive Health, we can help you weigh your options. Our goal is to help you make the decision that makes the most sense for your current needs and future family goals.
