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Frequently Asked Questions

+ What’s the best age to freeze my eggs?

We recommend egg freezing for women between the ages of 25 and 37. Since success rates and the health of the baby reflect the age of the egg at the time it is frozen, the younger you are at the time of freezing, the greater the potential for a healthy child. After 35, the quality and quantity of your eggs declines rapidly. However, it is still possible to freeze eggs after age 37, but you might have to repeat the two week cycle to harvest an adequate supply of mature eggs.

+ How do I know if I’m a good candidate for egg freezing?

One of the first steps in the egg freezing process is taking an Ovarian Reserve Test, which is used to assess the quantity and potential quality of your remaining eggs. This simple blood test is administered at our facility, or by your gynecologist. Once we have those results, one of our fertility experts will discuss your options with you, and form a plan.

+ I have cancer and need to freeze my eggs immediately. Can you help?

Yes. Our Fast Track program is specifically for women like you whose ovaries might be damaged by chemotherapy – or radiation therapy. We can start the 2-week egg freezing process as soon as your next menstrual cycle begins, at a significant fee reduction.

+ How do I choose an egg freezing program?

Not all egg freezing programs are created equal. Our program is responsible for the first baby born from cyropreserved eggs in Massachusetts – and the development of many other technologies that are now used throughout the world.  No other center can offer access to the most experienced fertility experts and the most cutting-edge technologies like we can.

+ How long is the egg freezing process?

An entire egg freezing cycle lasts two weeks, beginning with the first day of your period. It includes taking light medication and three to five brief office visits for monitoring. You can maintain your regular schedule during the two weeks, apart from the day of the egg retrieval. Your egg retrieval procedure takes about 20 minutes; it is done under light anesthesia with minimal discomfort. You can go back to work within 24 hours.

+ Is egg freezing affordable?

The Egg Freezing Center at Boston IVF is pleased to offer unique and affordable financing options that are designed to minimize up-front costs and maximize your success.

+ What are my chances of a successful pregnancy with frozen eggs?

Broadly speaking, your chances of becoming pregnant with frozen eggs and IVF are about the same as with fresh eggs and IVF. And, as you get older, those numbers decline with regular conception or IVF with fresh or frozen eggs. However, if you freeze your eggs when you're 30 and don't use them until you're 40, your chance of a successful pregnancy is the same as when you were 30. Remember, too, that the quality and skill of the embryology staff and the facility where your eggs are harvested and stored will also impact your success.

+ How many eggs should I freeze?

We generally recommend freezing 20 mature eggs to provide you with multiple attempts at achieving a pregnancy, and ideally having more than one child. Why 20 eggs? Just as it might take you 5 to 6 months to conceive normally, not every harvested egg will result in a pregnancy.

+ Will all of my eggs be used at once?

When you come back to use your frozen eggs, it is called an egg thaw cycle. Frozen eggs are thawed in batches, generally between 6 to 8 at a time, in order to develop a high quality embryo with strong pregnancy potential. Depending on how many eggs from each batch fertilize, you could have multiple attempts at pregnancy with each batch.

+ Can I freeze my eggs if I’m 40 or older?

Unfortunately, we generally advise against freezing your eggs after the age of 40. We strongly recommend freezing your eggs as early as possible to have the best chance for future pregnancies.

Facts vs. Fiction

Why Consider Egg Freezing