Egg Freezing: Your Journey to Fertility Freedom with PCRM
Egg freezing is a proactive choice that allows you to preserve your fertility on your own timeline. At PCRM, our approach ensures personalized care to help you achieve your family planning goals—whatever they may be.
What Is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, closely mirrors the IVF process. Over approximately 10 days, you'll stimulate your ovaries with hormone injections to produce multiple eggs. These mature eggs are then retrieved and flash-frozen (vitrified), ensuring long-term viability. The eggs will remain frozen as long as you wish—and will be ready for fertilization whenever you are.
Approximate Timeline
| Step | Timeframe | Process Overview |
| 1. Initial Consult & Testing | 1–2 weeks | Meet with a fertility specialist; complete blood tests and an initial ultrasound |
| 2. Ovarian Stimulation | 8–14 days | Daily self-injections of FSH/LH; ultrasounds and blood tests closely monitor follicle growth |
| 3. Trigger Shot | 36 hours before retrieval | Final hCG or GnRH agonist injection triggers egg maturation |
| 4. Egg Retrieval | 1 day (<30 minutes, outpatient) | Under IV sedation, ultrasound-guided retrieval occurs at our Burnaby or Edmonton clinic |
| 5. Cryopreservation | Immediately post-retrieval | Mature eggs are vitrified and stored securely for long-term use |
| 6. Follow-Up | ~24–48 hours post-retrieval | Virtual check-in via phone or patient portal; mild bloating/cramping expected for ~10–14 days |
Total duration? About 4–6 weeks, including prep, stimulation, retrieval, and recovery.
Why Choose PCRM for Egg Freezing?
- Latest vitrification technology with proven egg survival and pregnancy outcomes
- Continuous, weekday, and weekend appointments for monitoring and retrievals.
- Individualized planning, no two journeys are alike—your timeline is built uniquely for you.
- Long-term peace of mind—eggs can be used anytime up to age 49.
Egg Freezing FAQs
Q: How long can eggs remain frozen?
A: Indefinitely. Eggs frozen for 5–10+ years remain viable and capable of producing healthy pregnancies.
Q: What are the chances of success after thawing?
A: 85–90% of eggs survive thawing. Success rates depend on your age at freezing—ideally under age 35.
Q: Will egg freezing affect my health or how I feel?
A: Most patients tolerate ovarian stimulation well. Expect mild bloating or discomfort. Recovery after retrieval is usually 1–2 days, with full normalization in 10–14 days.
Q: What are the risks?
A: Complications are rare. Risks may include OHSS, minor bleeding, infection, or torsion, but PCRM minimizes risks through close monitoring and expert protocols.
Q: What happens after the eggs are frozen?
A: When you're ready, eggs are thawed and fertilized (via ICSI). Embryos are grown to the blastocyst stage and either transferred or frozen for future use.
Take the Next Step
If egg freezing feels right for your goals, we’re here to support you. Start with a consultation with a PCRM fertility specialist, where you’ll receive a customized timeline, clear preparation steps, access to our comprehensive care team.
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About the PCRM Blog
Welcome to the Pacific Fertility Centre for Reproductive Medicine Blog! Nationally and internationally recognized for providing exceptional reproductive care, our team believes in empowering people with the knowledge they need to navigate their unique fertility journeys.
From information on the latest fertility treatments to valuable insights on egg donation, surrogacy, and everything in between, the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine Blog is your ultimate resource for all things reproductive care and support. Read on to learn more, and contact us today if you have any questions or want to schedule a new patient appointment.