Medically Verified By: Dr Pallavi Prasad, a fertility specialist at Nova IVF Fertility Basaveshwaranagar, Bengaluru
Egg freezing does not ensure pregnancy, but it provides a woman with a crucial opportunity to prolong her reproductive window and increase her chances of becoming pregnant later in life.
Egg freezing is generally advised to women who want to delay their pregnancy either voluntarily, or they may be undergoing certain treatments that may require them to pause family planning momentarily. Nowadays, many couples choose to have children in their late 30s, owing to crucial factors like financial stability, mental and emotional readiness, etc. Egg freezing, therefore, becomes a viable option for them. Doctors generally advise women to freeze their eggs in their 20s, or early 30s, so as to be able to conceive later in life, whenever they are ready, and have a healthy pregnancy. But, does egg freezing guarantee pregnancy?
According to Dr Pallavi Prasad, a fertility specialist at Nova IVF Fertility Basaveshwaranagar, Bengaluru, egg freezing enables women to store their eggs at an earlier age, when the egg quality is usually better. It, therefore, gives women more control over their bodies and fertility.
"Although egg freezing significantly increases the likelihood of becoming pregnant with your eggs, it is crucial to realise that success rates are dependent on several variables, such as the quality of the frozen eggs, the woman's age at the time of freezing, and the general health of the couple," the doctor explains.
Dr Prasad goes on to say that the quality of a woman's eggs depends on her age at the time of egg freezing. "A woman's egg quality and reproductive potential inevitably deteriorate with age. In general, freezing eggs in 20s or early 30s produces higher-quality eggs, which raises the likelihood of a future pregnancy being successful. Due to genetics and unique medical circumstances, the amount and caliber of eggs gathered might differ from person-to-person," she states.
The next thing to consider is the health and quality of the sperm generated by the male partner. According to the doctor, a healthy pregnancy can be achieved by freezing high-quality eggs, but it is also important to take into account the sperm, whose motility, count and morphology are important factors in the successful fertilisation and development of the embryo. To maximise the odds of conception, both partners must maintain good reproductive health, she advises.
After a woman freezes her eggs, the success rate of pregnancy is not only dependent on the quality of the eggs and sperm, but the health of the woman's uterus, too. "A successful implantation depends on a healthy uterine lining. The reproductive expert will also keep an eye on general health and hormone levels to make sure the body is prepared for conception," says the doctor.
The doctor concludes by saying that though egg freezing does not ensure pregnancy, it provides a woman with a crucial opportunity to prolong her reproductive window and increase her chances of becoming pregnant later in life with her own eggs.
"When thinking about freezing their eggs, women should have reasonable expectations and speak with fertility experts to fully grasp the procedure's advantages and disadvantages," the fertility specialist concludes.
