Behind the Scenes: Egg Freezing as Explained by an Embryologist
Freezing your eggs can be an empowering journey, from your initial doctor’s appointment to the concluding egg retrieval procedure. However, for your eggs, the process is just beginning in the IVF laboratory where they will be frozen.
Your egg freezing cycle will take a village of professionals who work together to help make your dreams happen. Some very important professionals are your embryologists, who handle the very important procedures that take place in the IVF laboratory.
Let’s follow your eggs through their journey of being frozen, with me, a Clinical Embryologist.
Step 1. Egg Pick Up
During your egg retrieval, your eggs, along with fluid and other cells will be handed to the embryologist in tubes.
The embryologist uses a low power microscope to identify the eggs, pick them up, rinse and place them in clean media.
Step 2. Stripping of the eggs
Yes, you read correctly. When we say “stripping” we are referring to the process in which we remove ‘or strip’ the eggs of their surrounding cells.
The surrounding cells provide nutrients and protection for the eggs growing in your ovaries but must be removed before the freezing procedure. Stripping is necessary so that the embryologist can accurately visualize the egg and determine if it is of appropriate maturity and quality to be successfully frozen. Not all eggs will qualify for freezing, but you will gain valuable information about your fertility based on the embryologist’s assessment of your eggs.
In most laboratories, embryologists strip eggs using chemical and mechanical techniques.
First, the eggs and their surrounding cells are briefly placed in an enzymatic solution that helps loosen the surrounding cells. Once the surrounding cells are loosened, the eggs are pipetted through a series of smaller and smaller pipettes until the surrounding cells have been ’stripped’ off.
And that is how you get squeaky clean eggs!
Step 3. Media & device preparation
Embryologists set up for the egg freezing procedure by preparing the media and devices used to freeze your eggs.
Most embryologists use commercially manufactured egg freezing media and devices, which have been proven to deliver the best survival rates. Your eggs will be frozen in groups of two or three on each device, which is carefully labeled with your name, birth date, freezing date, and how many eggs the device contains.
Next, let’s get them on ice!
Step 4. Vitrification (egg freezing!)
The process of freezing eggs is called vitrification, which means they are quickly formed into a glass-like state by being plunged into liquid nitrogen.
To prevent eggs from being damaged by ice crystals, water inside first needs to be removed by bathing them in a series of solutions that dehydrates them. The eggs are then carefully placed on the freezing device, plunged in liquid nitrogen, and stored for later use.
Step 5. Storage
Once frozen, your eggs are suspended in time and should be viable for long as you decide to keep them stored.
Wondering what those storage fees go towards? Embryologists are typically responsible for maintaining the temperature of the storage tanks by monitoring the liquid nitrogen levels and topping off the tanks regularly so that your eggs stay safe. A very important task!
Egg freezing technology has come a long way in recent years, with success rates comparable to using fresh eggs.
We believe knowledge is power, and to get the full benefit of freezing your eggs so you can focus on your life requires confidence in your fertility center’s egg freezing procedures.
At Fertility United, we are happy to answer any questions that you might have about the egg freezing and storage procedures at your assigned fertility center so that you can have peace of mind while living your life.
Erica Evans
Clinical Embryologist
Fertility United Egg Share Coordinator