contributed by Dr. Howard McClamrock
What is Egg Banking?
The term egg banking – or fertility preservation – is the process in which women not yet ready to have children, freeze their eggs for future family building. Many women delay family building while seeking a life partner or due to educational, career or economic considerations. Based on the age related decline in fertility, this delay may increase the risks of infertility or pregnancy complications at a later time. Freezing of oocytes (or eggs) at a younger age may, in effect, put the eggs in “suspended animation” until the woman is ready for conception. While the natural decline in reproductive potential will continue, egg banking can provide an insurance against the ticking biologic clock and the loss of reproductive potential. Like an insurance policy, it may provide peace of mind, even if the eggs are not needed.
Medical technology has allowed the successful freezing of sperm for many years and embryo freezing has also been successful for nearly 30 years. Unfortunately, egg freezing had limited success until a recent breakthrough using a flash freezing technique known as vitrification. Previously considered experimental, this new process has now been shown to have similar success to embryo freezing when performed by experienced fertility centers. This prompted the American Society for Reproductive Medicine to remove the experimental label from egg freezing, considering this technology to be a mainstream treatment.
The eggs may be stored for an indefinite period of time and may be thawed, fertilized and transferred for pregnancy when the time is right.
Who Should Consider Egg Banking?
This technology is best suited for women ages 30-40, with the ideal age range between 32 and 37 years old to achieve optimal egg quality. Egg banking is designed for women who wish to delay childbearing for social, economic, educational or professional reasons.
Some women may consider this process as a way to delay the birth of another child without risking a decline in fertility.
How to Get Started with Egg Banking?
Simply give us a call. You can reach us toll free from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada at 877-411-9292 or go to CenterforFertilityPreservation.com or ShadyGroveFertility.com Entry into the program will start with a consultation visit to one of our facilities. If you are out of the greater Baltimore, Philadelphia, or Washington, DC metro areas, a telephone consultation may be schedule with one of our fertility specialists. Your treatment may start soon thereafter.
How Long Does Egg Banking Take?
From the time of your initial consultation at Shady Grove Fertility, the process of evaluation, ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval and egg cryopreservation may take as little as 5-6 weeks, depending on when in your menstrual cycle that initial visit takes place. Most of the appointments can be early in the morning allowing one to make it to the workplace on time. It is necessary to be take off from work or school only on the day of egg harvest.
What is the Cost of Egg Banking?
A global fee of $7,500 will cover the services for one cycle of ovarian stimulation, monitoring, egg retrieval and egg freezing, plus the first year of egg storage. It is recommended that 15-20 eggs be stored if possible. After the first year, storage fees are $500 per year. Medication costs average $2000 per stimulation cycle.
Many insurance policies cover consultation and pre-screening costs and some cover part of the medications. If there is no insurance coverage, Shady Grove Fertility will provide the consultation and pre-screening procedures performed at our center for $300.
A financing option for fertility preservation is available through www.FertilityFinance.net, an experienced group with whom we have worked extensively, whose mission is to provide fair financing for fertility related procedures.
If you have questions about your fertility or are ready to schedule an appointment at Shady Grove Fertility, please speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons at 877-411-9292.
Dr. Howard McClamrock is available for new patient consultations in Baltimore Harbor and Glen Burnie, MD.
