My Egg Freezing Journey

Today’s topic is a change of pace from the usual gut information to a personal share. I wanted to detail my recent experience of egg freezing in the hope that it provides helpful information for others.

THE BEGINNING

My journey began a couple years ago when I first heard that some friends of mine had undergone the egg freezing process. To be honest, before this date it simply hadn't crossed my mind! It wasn't something I intentionally put off, I just assumed that one day I would meet someone and we would have children, and live happily ever after. Fairytales have a lot to answer for… 

As a single woman who loves the idea of having options, I decided this was something that I wanted to do. Before we delve in, I want to recognise my privilege in being able to do this process. I know it's not something everyone can undergo, for a variety of reasons. So although I complain a little later in this blog… bear with me! I’m very grateful for the opportunity.

** Disclaimer - Please do not follow this blog for medical advice when undergoing your fertility journey. Follow what your fertility specialist tells you :)

RESEARCH & DECISIONS

While egg freezing does not guarantee your ability to have a family, it opens up doors. After realising children may not be in my immediate future, I knew that I still wanted the option of experiencing children and what our incredible female form can do, so I spoke with my friends who had undergone the process and started researching fertility clinics. I moved states in the middle of this decision making, and so ended up going with Genea Fertility SA.

INITIAL CONSULTATION

First I saw a GP to get a referral to Genea Fertility SA. Then, at the initial consultation we discussed my personal circumstances, medical history, and the egg freezing process. My fertility specialist (who I’ll call Dr S) guided me through the procedure, answered my questions and explained the associated risks and success rates. Dr S also provided me with an overview of the timeline and the financial aspects involved.

FINANCES

Based in Australia the total cost is around $10,000 which includes the pre-assessment appointments & scans, the hospital fees, and the hormone medication. There is an additional cost each year to keep your frozen eggs stored, which is around $500 annually. If you have pre-existing health conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis, you may be eligible for a medicare rebate. Each clinic will have different prices for the procedure and storage fees, and these are generally available on their website. 

MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS

Before proceeding with the egg freezing process, I had bloods taken to evaluate my ovarian reserve, hormones and overall health, as well as an ultrasound. These referrals were provided by my fertility specialist.

PRECONCEPTION PROTOCOL

It was August 2022 when I began my preconception protocol. In the same way I would recommend preconception support for a female prior to pregnancy, I suggest a similar protocol for women wanting to undergo egg freezing. Due to my age, and my general feeling that I would only undergo this procedure once - I wanted to give my eggs their best chance of being high quality! For three months I took a preconception multi, NAC, EPA/DHA and a hefty dose of CoQ10. Ironically I didn't end up getting my eggs frozen until May 2023, and did not continue the preconception protocol the whole way through. Can’t say I’m perfect…

CUSTOMISED TREATMENT PLAN

Based on the results of the medical assessments, Dr S devised my personalised treatment plan. The plan outlined the medication protocols, monitoring schedule, and anticipated timeline for the entire process. The clinic provided me with detailed instructions on how to administer the medication and manage any potential side effects. Once I was ready to go, I was to buy the required hormones from the chemist, and call the clinic when my period arrived. 

MEDICATION & HORMONE STIMULATION

Off I went to the chemist to fill my script. When I collected my hormone medication from the pharmacy and was quite shocked to receive a sharps container! The next phase involved hormonal stimulation injections to increase the number of eggs produced in a single cycle. On the second day of my cycle I started the injections. The first time you inject yourself is weird! I really had to psych myself up to it, although they were far less painful than what I had imagined.

OVARIAN MONITORING

Regular monitoring appointments were required to track the progress of follicle growth and egg development, and ensure that my body was responding appropriately to the medication. On a Monday after 10 days of injections, I had my bloods taken and a transvaginal ultrasound to check how things were going. They also reviewed my uterine lining to ensure it was an appropriate thickness. I had over 20 follicles on each ovary, which caused more discomfort than I expected. The goal was to get as many of these follicles as possible over 17mm. At my first scan they weren't big enough. 

To give you some reference, during a normal follicular phase, a select number of ovarian follicles grow and develop. However, only one of those selected follicles actually makes it to maturity, with the remainder disintegrating. Once the chosen follicle has fully matured and reached the appropriate size, it bursts, releasing an egg that’s ready for fertilisation. During an egg freeze, your goal is to get as many follicles as possible matured, and the ovaries can swell and cause discomfort while accomodating these extra follicles.

Two days later on Wednesday, I had a repeat of bloods and the ultrasound. Thankfully my follicles were looking good and had reached an appropriate size. At 3pm I got a call from the clinic directing me to complete my trigger hormone injections that evening, and to register with the hospital for the egg collection procedure on Friday morning. By this stage I was relieved to finished the injections and get booked into the hospital!

EGG RETRIAVAL

Once the follicles reached the desired size, the time had come for the egg retrieval procedure. I lived close to the hospital so I walked there at 6:30am, because by this stage I was really uncomfortable and thought a walk would help. (This is not everyone's experience. I’ve spoken to lots of people who had no symptoms at all prior to the procedure).

On arrival the hospital staff kept asking who would be picking me up. In my hurry to complete the forms the night before, I had put ‘Uber’. This shows how infrequently I go to hospital, as I didn’t realise you need someone to pick you up and stay with you overnight after general anaesthetic! When my anaesthetist flagged this with me and said we may not be able to go ahead unless I could arrange someone to stay with me overnight, I immediately burst into tears. By this stage I was in a moderate amount pain (cramping and ovary pain), and so sensitivities were high! Thankfully we came to a resolution, that I would stay in hospital until lunchtime, and then a friend would pick me up - and so the procedure was back on.

Lying on a table in the blue gown watching everyone instantly made me feel like I was on Grey’s anatomy. There was a bright light above my head, people rushing around in masks, a needle, and then I was out. 

Under sedation, Dr S used ultrasound guidance to retrieve the mature eggs from my ovaries using a fine needle. After reading about the process, I understand that a high level of skill is involved, so a huge thank you to Dr S for her steady hand. The procedure itself was quite quick, less than 2 hours.

LABORATORY PROCESS

When I woke they told me the number of eggs collected, and said depending on quality they may not all be frozen. I ended up with two that were not viable, but the rest were frozen and stored.

I found out after that the retrieved eggs get transferred to a laboratory, where they are assessed for their quality and maturity. If they pass the quality test, the chosen eggs are then cryopreserved ensuring their long-term preservation at subzero temperatures.

POST-PROCEDURE RECOVERY

After the egg retrieval procedure, I was monitored briefly for any immediate post-operative effects. I had a mild level of pain for which I was given analgesics, these made me feel like I was going to vomit, so I was promptly given antiemetics. After some-time I was wheeled in my bed to the general day clinic area, where I was given a cup of tea and a scone.

The clinic provided detailed instructions on post-procedure care, including potential side effects. I was able to leave around lunchtime and my dear friend picked me up and brought me a delicious chicken soup.

The hospital had given strict instruction not to drink alcohol, drive or make any decision while the aesthetic wore off, so I lay in bed and watched movies.

The next day, the bloating was WILD. I’ve never experienced that level of distention before across my whole stomach. This lasted for Saturday, Sunday, and maybe a little bit of Monday, and then I felt back to my normal self.

I immediately started a liver protocol to assist with clearing some of the excess hormones, including a herbal tonic and P2 Detox.

SIDE EFFECTS (EMOTIONAL & PHYSICAL)

Truth be told, I had been quite emotional in the lead-up to starting the hormone injection, but in the first week of injections I cried most days. The tears seemingly came from nowhere, and I’m going to chalk it up to hormones.

The second week felt much calmer, but around day 8 my left ovary started causing discomfort. A couple days later my right ovary joined the pain party. I also had significant breast tenderness, and these three factors made it very hard to sleep for the whole of the second week - although I am quite a sensitive sleeper. To top it off my skin broke out, so I wasn’t feeling all that crash hot by the end.

TIMING

At the time of egg freezing, I was 3 weeks shy of my 39th birthday. This is not the recommended age, but this was my age when I got it done. Although there are benefits in freezing your eggs earlier, everyone's fertility journey is different and timing plays a huge role. Whether it's financial, emotional or situational, you have to decide when the time is right for you.

THE WRAP-UP

The reason I didn't share this process in the moment is because I was so highly emotional about it. Whatever your reason for undergoing a fertility process, it strikes a cord in you that's hard to explain. For this reason I was so thankful to have done the process with Genea Fertility SA, as they were incredibly compassionate throughout. 

I had three big takeaways from this experience. Firstly there is no right or wrong way to do life. If I choose to have children, or don't, either life will be a good one. Secondly, modern medicine - wow. Thirdly, people want to help you when you are going through a tough time - let them x

If you have any questions about the fertility process, I’m so happy to answer them. Please comment below, email via the contact form on my website, or send me a message via Instagram.