Doctors for Egg Freezing in Mumbai

The freezing and storage of a woman's eggs for future use in assisted reproductive technologies is known as egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation. The process involves a laboratory technician extracting eggs (oocytes) from the ovaries and rapidly freezing them in liquid nitrogen. The frozen eggs can then be thawed at a later date and used to attempt pregnancy.

Women opt for freezing their eggs for various reasons, including:

• Delayed Childbearing: To maintain their potential for future conception, some women decide to freeze their eggs. This may be due to personal or professional reasons, such as pursuing education, career advancement, or finding the right partner.
• Medical Reasons: Women who are going to get medical treatments, like chemotherapy or radiation therapy, that might make them less fertile may choose to freeze their eggs to keep their ability to have biological children after the treatment.
• Age-related Fertility Decline: As women become older, both their fertility and the quality of their eggs may diminish. Freezing eggs at a younger age allow women to preserve healthier eggs for future use, increasing their chances of a successful pregnancy.
• Genetic Concerns: Women with certain genetic conditions or a family history of genetic disorders may choose to freeze their eggs to have the option of genetic testing on embryos during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. This allows them to select embryos without genetic abnormalities before implantation.
• Unfavourable Reproductive Health Conditions: A woman's fertility may be impacted by certain disorders like endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Freezing eggs can provide a backup plan if natural conception becomes challenging.
• Personal Choice: Some women may choose to freeze their eggs as a proactive measure to have more control over their reproductive future, regardless of specific circumstances. It provides them with peace and the freedom to create a family whenever it's appropriate for them.

The process of egg freezing requires a thorough medical examination and a series of tests which include:

• Physical Examination: This involves a complete body examination by a doctor. It helps to diagnose any health issues and assess overall fitness.
• Hormone Testing: Blood tests are performed to evaluate the levels of reproductive hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). These tests help determine your ovarian reserve and the quality of your eggs.
• Ovarian Reserve Assessment: The number of immature ovarian follicles is determined by performing a transvaginal ultrasound examination known as an antral follicle count (AFC). This number provides a rough estimate of ovarian reserve and is used to gauge how well the ovaries will respond to stimulation prior to egg retrieval.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound: The uterus and ovaries can be analyzed with this imaging method. Egg retrieval and implantation can be hampered by structural abnormalities like ovarian cysts, fibroids, and polyps, and this test can help find them.
• Genetic Screening: Depending on your personal and family medical history, your doctor may recommend genetic testing to identify any potential genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities that could be passed on to your future child.
• CBC: CBC stands for Complete Blood Count. The results of this analysis reveal the quantities of different types of blood cells, as well as the presence of infectious agents.
• LFT: Liver function tests (LFT) are a panel of blood analyses used to evaluate liver health and performance. It is a blood test that measures a number of liver-related enzymes, proteins, and other substances.
• KFT: KFT stands for Kidney Function Test. It is used to analyze the kidneys' ability to filter toxins and other waste products from the body.
• Urine R/M: Urine R/M stands for urine routine and microscopic examination. It is carried out to evaluate kidney function and look for any problems.
• Lipid Profile: The amounts of various fats in the blood are measured by the lipid profile. With this information, a doctor is better able to assess the patient's risk for developing heart disease.
• ANTI-HCV: The presence of the virus that is responsible for hepatitis C may be determined with the use of this test.
• HbsAg: The HbsAg test is used to determine whether or not the Hepatitis B virus is present in the body.

Below is a description of the usual approach for egg freezing:

• Ovarian Stimulation: The first step is to inject the patient with hormones for a period of 8-14 days. These hormones cause the ovaries to release several mature eggs at once, as opposed to the single egg that is normally released during a woman's monthly menstrual cycle.
• Monitoring: Ovarian stimulation is accompanied by constant monitoring via ultrasound and bloodwork. The growth and size of follicles (fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries containing eggs) can be seen and measured with an ultrasound scan. Hormone levels in the blood can be measured to gain more insight into the development of the eggs.
• Egg Retrieval: Egg retrieval occurs when the follicles are large enough and the eggs are mature. Usually under sedation or anesthesia. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided needles remove eggs from the ovaries. The needle gently aspirates fluid and eggs from the follicles through the vaginal wall.
• Egg Freezing: After the eggs have been retrieved, they are examined to determine the level of development they have reached. Eggs are only selected for freezing if they satisfy a number of very specific requirements. Cryoprotectant solutions are applied to the eggs before they are placed in the freezer so that they will not be damaged by the process. After that, a process called vitrification, which is a rapid freezing method, is used to quickly freeze the eggs. This stops the formation of ice crystals, which could cause the eggs to become damaged.
• Storage: Cryopreservation tanks are the specialised storage containers that are used for the eggs while they are frozen. These containers are built to keep temperatures at extremely low levels, typically around -196 degrees Celsius (-321 degrees Fahrenheit), to ensure the eggs are preserved for an extended period of time.
• Thawing and Fertilization: Frozen eggs can be used later by simply thawing them. Cryoprotectant solutions are removed from the eggs by gently warming them. Fertilization of thawed eggs can be accomplished in a number of ways, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). IVF involves combining thawed eggs and sperm in a lab dish and letting fertilisation take place naturally. In ICSI, thawed eggs are fertilised by injecting a single sperm into the egg.
• Embryo Transfer: Embryos are cultured and watched over for several days after fertilisation has taken place. Only embryos of the highest quality are chosen for transfer. A thin catheter is used to insert the chosen embryos into the woman's uterus during a short outpatient procedure performed by an embryologist. The goal of embryo transfer is to have the embryos implant in the uterine lining and result in a healthy pregnancy.

The following is an overview of how long frozen eggs may last:

• Vitrification: The most common method of egg freezing is vitrification, which involves rapid freezing of eggs using liquid nitrogen. This technique has significantly improved the survival rate and post-thaw viability of frozen eggs.
• Longevity: Properly frozen and stored eggs can maintain their quality for many years. Some studies have reported successful pregnancies and live births using eggs that were frozen for up to 10 years or more.
• Ongoing Research: The long-term effects of egg freezing beyond the 10-year mark are still being studied, so the actual maximum duration of egg viability is not yet definitively established.
• Storage Guidelines: It is recommended to follow the storage duration guidelines provided by the fertility clinic or storage facility. Different clinics may have their own recommendations, but generally, eggs can be stored for several years without significant deterioration in quality.
• Accredited Facilities: It's crucial to store frozen eggs in reputable and accredited facilities that have reliable cryopreservation techniques and stringent quality control measures.
• Age at Freezing: The age at which the eggs were frozen can affect their viability and success rates. Younger women tend to have better-quality eggs, so freezing eggs at a younger age may result in higher success rates when they are later used for fertility treatments.
• Personalised Advice: Consulting with a fertility specialist is important to receive the most up-to-date information and personalised advice regarding the longevity and potential success of frozen eggs based on individual circumstances.

Some major advantages of egg freezing include the following:

• Preservation of Fertility: Egg freezing is a technique that women can use to maintain their fertility by halting egg development at a specific stage. If the fertile window has passed, the eggs can still be thawed and used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to bring about a pregnancy.
• Delay Childbirth: One of the primary reasons women choose to freeze their eggs is to delay having children until a more suitable time in their lives. Whether it's due to personal or professional reasons, egg freezing provides the opportunity to extend the reproductive timeline. This can be especially beneficial for women who wish to pursue education, career advancement, or other life goals before starting a family.
• Avoid Reproductive Problems: Egg freezing is a preventative method that can be used to deal with future fertility problems. Conditions like premature ovarian ageing make older women more likely to experience a decline in egg quality and quantity. Egg freezing at a younger age preserves eggs in a more optimal state, lowering the possibility of fertility issues later in life.
• Cost-Effective: In comparison to other fertility treatments such as IVF or egg donation, egg freezing is relatively more cost-effective. It allows women to invest in preserving their fertility at a younger age, potentially avoiding the need for more expensive and invasive procedures in the future. By spreading out the costs over time, women can better manage the financial aspect of family planning.
• Increased Success Rates: Advancements in egg-freezing technology, particularly the use of vitrification, have significantly improved the success rates of thawed eggs. Vitrification ensures better preservation of the eggs' structural integrity and reduces the risk of ice crystal formation during the freezing process. This has resulted in higher survival rates and improved chances of successful pregnancies when using frozen eggs.

Some of the potential dangers of egg freezing are outlined below.

• Pelvic Discomfort: Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries using a transvaginal ultrasound probe and a needle during the egg-freezing process. In the days after the procedure, this can lead to mild cramping and tenderness in the pelvic area. However, in most cases, these signs and symptoms will pass on their own after a while.
• Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): Egg freezing can sometimes cause a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which can be dangerous. It happens when the ovaries react too much to the fertility drugs that are used to make more eggs. The ovaries can swell up and get bigger, which can cause symptoms like bloating, pain, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. In severe cases of OHSS, a medical professional may need to help and closely watch the patient.
• Allergic Reactions: Even though it is rare, some women may have allergic reactions to the medicines used to freeze their eggs. These allergic reactions can cause rashes, hives, itching, swelling, or even more serious symptoms like trouble breathing or anaphylaxis. You should tell your healthcare provider ahead of time if you are allergic to any of the medicines used in the process.
• Risk of Complications with Egg Retrieval: The egg retrieval procedure itself is a minimally invasive surgery, and like any other medical procedure, it has some risks. Possible problems include getting an infection, bleeding, hurting the tissues or organs around the ovary, or getting ovarian cysts. But these problems don't happen very often and are usually taken care of by doctors and nurses with a lot of experience.
• Psychological Impact: Egg freezing can have psychological implications for some women. The process may involve significant emotional and psychological stress, as it involves making decisions about fertility, confronting the reality of ageing, and considering the potential challenges of future family-building. It's important to have a support system in place and consider seeking counselling or psychological support if needed.