Egg freezing

Medical contribution by Brianna Schumacher, M.D.

Brianna Schumacher, M.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Schumacher is an advocate for early fertility diagnosis and treatment, as well as egg freezing for women to preserve their fertility for future family building options. She sees patients in SGF’s Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, office.

The power to have children when the timing is right, not when their biological clock dictates, is the reason thousands of women have decided to freeze their eggs. Egg freezing, a technique in which a reproductive endocrinologist removes eggs from the ovaries and then freezes them, has revolutionized how and when women can have children. The technology that allows women to preserve their fertility has changed the course of reproductive health and leaves women feeling more empowered and less anxious.

Shady Grove Fertility’s Egg Freezing Program offers women the chance to test their ovarian reserve (number of eggs remaining in the ovaries) and use those results to have a thoughtful, tailored, discussion to determine if egg freezing is a good fit for them. Egg freezing is a streamlined approach that includes a physician consultation, various financial options, and more importantly, promising pregnancy rates when they return to use their eggs. Once eggs are frozen, they remain that way indefinitely and are available to thaw at any point. The benefits of egg freezing are more than just having frozen eggs – it is freedom from the biological clock.

Dr. Brianna Schumacher, who sees patients in SGF’s Chesterbrook and Philadelphia offices, reveals the top five reasons to freeze your eggs.

Here are the Top Five Reasons to Freeze Your Eggs:

• Eggs supply is limited. Women are born with all the eggs we will ever have. We are born with about a million and by the time we go through menopause – there are almost no eggs left. Peak fertility is in our early 20s when pregnancy rates are approximately 25% each month. For women in their 30s, pregnancy declines to 15 percent each month, and by the time we are entering our 40s, pregnancy rates are on average 5% per month. While early menopause and premature ovarian failure can also affect egg supply, egg freezing helps ensure the possibility that you will be able to use your own eggs and have biological children.
• Egg quality diminishes as women age. As women age, the percentage of eggs in the ovaries that have the correct number of chromosomes decreases. This percentage is what is referred to as ‘egg quality’ . We do not have a way to ‘test’ the eggs, but we do know that maternal age is a good estimate. For women at 35 years of age, we estimate half of the eggs are already abnormal and by the time we hit 40 years of age, only a quarter of the remaining eggs can result in a baby. Because eggs stay the age at which they were frozen, freezing eggs at a younger age ensures a larger portion of eggs are normal when you are ready to have your family.
• Egg freezing allows you to have it all. For many, having a career and being a mother are of equal importance. Some women choose to pursue having a family first and come back to a career; others want to establish a career prior to having children.  With egg freezing, women can choose to pursue career and relationship goals and once comfortable, come back to motherhood. The process can allow you to find a secure relationship, focus on your professional goals, and ultimately take control of your life by giving you a choice to get pregnant when the time is right, for you.
• You will leave you with more than just frozen eggs. The pressure to beat the biological clock is felt by almost everyone. Many women have stated that after egg freezing, just knowing they are there lifts a large weight off their shoulders. One of the most common feelings we hear from our women is that it has provided them with the freedom to date without the pressure of the biological clock.
• Egg freezing results in babies – in the right hands. Eggs (single cells) are more fragile than embryos (hundreds of cells). As a result, freezing and thawing eggs is more complicated and requires experienced embryologists. The technology took much longer to perfect, but now many fertility clinics have the experience and results to show for it. Today, we have many happy women who have used frozen eggs to complete their family – and the numbers are increasing exponentially every day. A word of caution – not every fertility clinic has equal outcomes. Take time to research and find a clinic in your area that has good ‘egg thaw’ rates and can give an estimate of how many pregnancies have resulted from eggs they have frozen.  In this case, generally bigger is better – larger clinics are more experienced and have better outcomes.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness as of February 2020.

To learn more about egg freezing benefits or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Schumacher, call 1-877-411-9292 to speak with one of our New Patient Center Liaisons, fill out this form to schedule an appointment, or register for one of our upcoming patient educational events.

Every egg freezing story is unique and this is Kara’s journey.

Kara is a 36 year Fairfax, VA native living in Arlington, VA. Long-term relationships, good advice, family support, and a plan brought her to Shady Grove Fertility to freeze her eggs. Kara sat down with SGF following her first two cycles to share more about her egg freezing story in hopes of inspiring other women to do the same. Here’s what Kara had to share:

How did you learn about egg freezing?

Kara: “My 20s were for fun and career and I knew my 30s would be for getting married and having kids. I always knew I wanted to be a mom someday. Two years ago, when I was 34, my dad’s cousin, who is an OB/GYN, recommended I test my AMH. With his advice I tested my AMH (which was good) and went to my OB/GYN at Capital Women’s Care and asked, ‘I’m 34, what do I need to know about egg freezing?’ My OB/GYN advised, if I wasn’t trying to have a baby by 36 I should freeze my eggs. That became my plan. When long-term relationships didn’t work out, I looked at egg freezing at a very serious level. At 36, I tested my AMH again and it was good, so I decided to freeze my eggs.”

Was paying for egg freezing something that you were concerned with?

Kara: “No—the money my parents set aside for my wedding is being used to pay for my egg freezing cycles and I enrolled in the Assure 20 financial program. It was difficult at first, but when it came to having to choose between a baby and marriage, if I were to only be able to have one of the two in this life, I would always choose baby. This helped me make peace with using money from the wedding fund.”

How was the actual egg freezing cycle?

Kara: “During my first round I was definitely more nervous; I had some bloating, but nothing serious. But the second round, you don’t even notice you’re doing it—it’s easy. I had no cramping, no emotional side effects, and I was able to do the medications on my own. There’s something about being alone in your apartment with a syringe that makes you feel like a real woman.”

What was the hardest part of the process?

“The hardest part once you get past the first few days of shots, for me, it was not being able to work out for 4 weeks. I’m really active and enjoy high levels of exercise, so during this time that caused a little more stress—there was no physical outlet. I found that challenging but if you’re not super active it won’t impact you as much.”

What for you has been the biggest benefit of freezing?

“I hope to never have to use these eggs, but knowing they are there provides me with peace of mind—it’s kind of like a savings account. I’m one of those proactive people who wants to make sure things work out in this life.”

What has dating been like?

I dated two different guys while going through my last two cycles. My last boyfriend was really supportive of it and provided emotional support throughout the medication portion. But it hasn’t caused anyone to pause. It’s also a good dating tactic—if they are good with it, we can get dessert, if not, get the check.”

What is your biggest advice?

“Do it. You’ll have a harder time accepting not being a mom than accepting freezing your eggs. You want to extend the option of being a future mom instead of limiting it.”

If you’re interested in sharing your egg freezing story, or if you would like to schedule an egg freezing appointment, call 1-877-411-9292. 

In a Good Morning America interview, Former First Lady, Michelle Obama, spoke candidly about her new book, “Becoming.” What fills the pages are candid confessions and stories of personal struggles she’s encountered in life, including her arduous journey to motherhood.

Michelle Obama opened up to GMA anchor Robin Roberts about undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment to have her daughters, Malia and Sasha, and how at ages 34 and 35, it hit her that “the biological clock is real” and “egg production is limited.”

“I think it’s the worst thing that we do to each other as women, not share the truth about our bodies and how they work,” Obama told Roberts.

The tick-tock of the biological clock has long been a source of stress for women who envision children in their futures. Thanks to advancements in reproductive science, women who want children (just not right now) have options.

Through egg freezing, a snooze alarm of sorts is set to take off some of the pregnancy-now pressure off, allowing women to pursue family growth plans when they’re ready to do so.

As a woman, you are born with two ovaries, each containing resting eggs or follicles. At 20 weeks gestation, you have about 6 million eggs, which is the largest amount of eggs you will ever have in your lifetime. At birth, you will lose approximately half of your eggs, and by the time you reach puberty, you will only have about 200,000 eggs left. As you age, your egg quantity will continue to decrease, and the quality will as well. Understandably, diminished egg quality and quantity can significantly impact your ability to conceive.

Egg Freezing by Vitrification

Egg freezing represents a way to suspend your fertility in time, preventing the decrease in quality and quantity that inevitably comes with age. You will, of course, still continue to age. But the eggs that you freeze will stay suspended in time at the quality you possessed at the time of the freeze.

Vitrification, or flash-freezing, is a very efficient and effective method of freezing your eggs that demonstrates strong survival, fertilization, and embryonic development rates after your frozen eggs have been thawed. By applying this technology, Shady Grove Fertility has seen a sharp increase in survival rates of the eggs after thaw. Pregnancy rates have also been reassuring. This technology is instrumental in helping you freeze enough mature eggs now, so that when you are ready to use them, you will have multiple opportunities to become pregnant in the event that a cycle is unsuccessful.

SGF has more experience than most centers with egg freezing and thawing, having completed 526 egg freezing cycles in 2017, and 349 total egg thaw cycles since 2009. “Not every lab has the expertise and experience to vitrify, or flash freeze, eggs and then have them survive the thaw, fertilize, and develop into an embryo that leads to pregnancy and delivery. The techniques used to freeze and thaw eggs involve specific, highly specialized protocols, extensive embryology experience, and precise techniques,” shares Dr. Eric A. Widra, Medical Director of Shady Grove Fertility.

When to Freeze Your Eggs

On average, the most optimal time to freeze is in your early to mid-30s while your fertility potential is still near its peak. However, at our practice, you can freeze your eggs between the ages of 30 and 40. It’s about finding a balance. Some women may need to freeze younger, while some have more time. This is dependent on medical history and ovarian reserve function.

Read: Can I Afford to Freeze my Eggs?

Why Choose SGF?

At SGF, we stand behind our technology and approach with published success rate data that helps women take the guesswork and uncertainty of whether egg freezing really works. Most other practices or centers don’t have any facts or figures behind their egg freezing cycles, nor do they have the experience or precision necessary to safely thaw the eggs. What makes SGF different is that we are one of only a few fertility centers in the U.S. with published egg freezing pregnancy data.

What Women are Saying About Egg Freezing

“I wear sunscreen to protect myself from future sun damage. I workout to keep off my weight. Why would I not do something to prevent future emotional pain and suffering?”

“This is not just some whim, like I’m 17 years old and I want kids someday. My life plan at some point is to have at least two children. I’ve already made provisions for that.”

Read: Anonymous SGF Patient Opens Up about Egg Freezing Experience

Looking for more information? Watch our Egg Freezing On-Demand Webinar, available for viewing at your convenience.

To learn more about egg freezing or to schedule an appointment, please contact the SGF New Patient Center at 1-877-411-9292 or complete this brief online form.
 
 

Radell is a 34 year old entrepreneur living in the Washington, D.C. area. She happens to be single, and after a few years of contemplation, decided to freeze her eggs at Shady Grove Fertility. Following her decision to freeze and completing her egg freezing cycle, she had the desire to spread awareness about egg freezing by sharing insight and advice for women who are considering this option.

The Inspiration Behind the Letter

My ‘Dear Sister’ letter is inspired by the women who dare to do it all. The women who are intelligent, smart, and sassy; who have found their way enjoying and exploring life’s passions. They are the trailblazers and the doers. They know what they want, when they want it. But I also write because of the realization of time. How time really is so limited.

This letter comes from my heart, recognizing that what we do and think at times trumps our emotions and feelings. By the time we stop to acknowledge what we really want out of life, it might be too late.

There is so much noise in today’s society; it is easy to drown out the truth of what the heart truly desires. It is my hope women stop to listen to their own wishes and desires.

Dear Sister:

Through many years, I remember you taking my hand and guiding me along.

Then there were some moments that didn’t go so smoothly, on the bumpy sister squabble highway. Oh how we each had our stubborn plays. Lucky for us, those squabbles are long gone. Sharing our love with one another and helping keep stress at bay.

As we dance through our lives on a beam up on high, I think it’s important to stop and not sway. Let’s take a pause and see what’s the cause of some unsettled dismay. You know that feeling, the one you ignore on certain days of the week. Yes, please, sister, stop, pause and think.

You fought long and hard to fight off the status quo. Because you’ve been successful in X, Y, and Z and made magnificence glow. But there is a fleeting moment when life flashes by and you picture days filled with more family. Please do not keep telling people to just let you be and run away to another fancy tree.

Trust that you can still have these things, that you might find love and contentment in those moments of your despair.

Dearest sister of mine, have you paused to think? If so, my heart sings and I am pleased you might be on the brink. Explore the opportunities available to you. Show the future world that trust is the new true.

Because you love your bulleted lists, do not be sad. This love poem will be neatly completed with a checklist for a notepad.

Please check if you have any interest:

• In bringing life into this world and sharing lessons you’ve learned?
• In providing unconditional love?
• Are you open to learn about technology that can help preserve your fertility until you are more certain about your decision?

For all the years I listened to you, it’s your turn to listen to me.

• Dare to do something different.
• Dare to step outside of your comfort zone.
• Dare to bring other people into your dreams.
• Dare to do the unthinkable.

I will hold your hand the whole way and we will be one happy family.
– Xo, Your Sister & Forever Friend

Are you interested in learning more about egg freezing?

Watch our Egg Freezing On-Demand Webinar, available for viewing at your convenience.

During our on-demand event, hosted by Shruti Malik, M.D., from SGF’s Fair Oaks, VA and Arlington, VA offices, you’ll learn about Shady Grove Fertility’s Egg Freezing Program and hear first-hand experience from Dr. Malik herself. Dr. Malik will review SGF’s simplified program, explain how we determine who makes a good candidate for egg freezing, and discuss what to expect during the egg freezing process, the success rates associated with egg freezing, and the unique SGF financial programs.

Register today to participate in this informative, free, on-demand webinar and watch now or at your own convenience.

Egg Freezing Patient Stories

Read Meredith’s Egg Freezing Story
Read Rachel’s Egg Freezing Story

Editors Note: This blog was originally published in November 2017.

To learn more about egg freezing or to schedule an appointment, please call our New Patient Center at 1-877-411-9292 or fill out this brief form.

Egg Freezing and Dating

When it comes to dating, there are a lot of variables to consider: common interests, likes, dislikes, compatibility, life goals, family values, personal values, and so on. Now, with more and more women freezing their eggs than ever before, the topic of egg freezing, for some, inevitably makes its way into the conversation … at some point at least. And with that, more and more women are seeking advice about egg freezing and dating. They seek advice about if they should bring up the topic and, if so, how to initiate the conversation about their decision to freeze. One Shady Grove Fertility egg freezing patient, Jenn, asked the following question:

“I am going to be starting the egg freezing process and just started dating someone. I am interested to find out how other women have handled this. Have they brought it up with people they have dated? When do they mention it and how?”

To find the answer, we asked women who are also considering freezing, as well as women who have frozen their eggs. We found that 60 percent of women bring up egg freezing on dates. Here are some of their responses.

How do you bring up your decision to freeze?

• I wait until the person brings up the topic of having children before I share that I froze my eggs.
• I abstained from alcohol, caffeine, and sex during and between cycles; the men I dated would notice and then ask why, which would lead into the conversation.
• I bring it up only with people I see a future with and mention that I did it to preserve my fertility.

Do you find that the people you have dated or the person you are currently dating is open to your decision to freeze?

• Everyone I dated has been extremely supportive.
• Some say it is a smart decision, others are indifferent, and some it requires a little more explanation.
• I’m dating someone younger and he is surprisingly supportive; although he often doesn’t know what to say or have much to add to the subject.
• Every man I dated while freezing my eggs thought that it was awesome and empowering. It made them like me more, and it took any pretense of pressure/biological clocks/timelines completely out of the picture from the start. I found these conversations both encouraging and liberating.

What advice would you share with other women who are either considering freezing, or who have frozen their eggs, about dating?

• Well, I guess that whomever you are dating has to be comfortable with it, if it’s something that’s important to you. Just like anything else that’s important to you. So why not bring it up to judge their reactions for yourself, as part of your criteria for whether or not the person is a good fit for you.
• I would suggest not telling the person you are dating until you two are in a serious committed relationship. This is my experience; others may have a different experience. My decision to tell men when I first start dating has back-fired or they are not supportive. I suggest waiting until a commitment has been made on both ends.
• Own it. Honest confidence is what you deserve, and men find it incredibly attractive. Love yourself.

In addition to surveying women, we asked a panel of our social work experts for their advice and what they have learned from women they have counseled. Here is some of their advice:

• Because egg freezing isn’t necessarily a guarantee of a future family or children, it is a subject that is best suited for a time when the relationship becomes a little more serious and the person is ready and prepared to listen to the details.
• Egg freezing shouldn’t be something women feel compelled to bring up with someone they are dating (at least for awhile) because dating is one of the reasons they decided to freeze—to take the pressure away from having to immediately start thinking about having children when they first start dating someone.
• Women generally get a lot of support from friends and family when making the decision to freeze. In fact, some say it is their family who encourages them to freeze (because they are thinking about grandchildren) and sometimes the parents even help fund the process.

Overall, when it comes to egg freezing and dating, if you bring up your decision to freeze, many will show support and even encouragement. However, share only when and if you’re ready. It’s your decision, own it and be proud.

Read Meredith’s Egg Freezing Story

Read Rachel’s Egg Freezing Story

Looking for more information? Watch our Egg Freezing On-Demand Webinar, available for viewing at your convenience.

During our on-demand event, hosted by Shruti Malik, M.D., from SGF’s Fair Oaks, VA and Arlington, VA offices, you’ll learn about Shady Grove Fertility’s Egg Freezing Program and hear first-hand experience from Dr. Malik herself. Dr. Malik will review SGF’s simplified program, explain how we determine who makes a good candidate for egg freezing, and discuss what to expect during the egg freezing process, the success rates associated with egg freezing, and the unique SGF financial programs.

Register today to participate in this informative, free, on-demand webinar and watch now or at your own convenience:
 

If you would like more information about egg freezing or would like to schedule an appointment, please fill out this brief form or call 1-877-411-9292.