The process of freezing eggs, technically known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a structured sequence of medical steps spanning several weeks. This procedure preserves a woman’s fertility by collecting and storing mature eggs for later use. The timeline involves preparatory evaluations, a period of medication for ovarian stimulation, and a minor surgical procedure for retrieval. Understanding the duration of each phase is important, as the overall process requires careful scheduling and a significant time commitment.
Preparing for the Freezing Cycle
The first phase of the process is dedicated to assessment and planning, which must be completed before any medication begins. This preparatory stage typically takes between two to six weeks, depending on the clinic’s availability and test turnaround times. An initial consultation with a fertility specialist reviews a woman’s medical history and discusses the treatment plan.
A significant part of this preparation involves diagnostic testing to evaluate the ovarian reserve, the estimated number of eggs remaining. Key blood tests include Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels. Alongside blood work, a transvaginal ultrasound is performed to conduct an Antral Follicle Count (AFC), which counts the small follicles available in the ovaries. These results are used to customize the medication protocol for the stimulation phase. The start of the treatment cycle is often timed to coincide with the beginning of a woman’s menstrual period to ensure optimal hormonal conditions.
The Active Stimulation Period
Once the preparatory phase is complete, the active stimulation period begins. This phase involves a controlled course of injectable hormones designed to encourage the ovaries to mature multiple eggs in one cycle. The duration of this daily medication regimen typically lasts between 10 and 14 days.
The stimulation involves daily self-administered injections of gonadotropins, such as FSH. Midway through this period, an antagonist medication is introduced to prevent the body from ovulating prematurely before the eggs can be retrieved. This daily commitment is paired with frequent monitoring appointments at the clinic.
Monitoring tracks the growth of the follicles and allows for medication dosage adjustments. These appointments involve blood tests to measure hormone levels and transvaginal ultrasounds to measure follicle size. Initially, check-ups may occur every few days, but they become nearly daily toward the end of the stimulation phase.
Retrieval and Immediate Recovery
The final step of the active cycle is the egg retrieval procedure, a minor surgical event precisely timed to occur just before the eggs would naturally ovulate. The timing is determined by a final hormone injection, called the “trigger shot,” administered exactly 34 to 36 hours before the scheduled retrieval. The retrieval is performed at the clinic under light sedation or anesthesia.
The procedure itself is quick, usually taking only 15 to 30 minutes. During retrieval, a fertility specialist uses an ultrasound to guide a thin needle through the vaginal wall into each mature follicle to draw out the fluid and the egg. Following the procedure, the patient is moved to a recovery area for immediate monitoring.
The required stay at the clinic for recovery is typically two to four hours, after which the patient is discharged. Because of the sedation, a responsible adult must escort the patient home, and driving is not permitted for 24 hours. While most people can resume light activities the day after retrieval, it is recommended to avoid strenuous exercise for about a week.