Egg freezing is a proactive method of fertility preservation. NCFMC uses the most advanced techniques available in the Sacramento region.
Egg freezing – also called oocyte cryopreservation or egg vitrification – is a proactive method of fertility preservation. Originally pioneered for women whose cancer and/or cancer treatments threatened their future fertility, egg vitrification is now available for any woman concerned that infertility will be an issue later on.
Women who choose fertility preservation undergo the first few steps involved in IVF: ovarian reserve testing (to see whether you have enough eggs), ovarian stimulation using injectable fertility medication and egg retrieval. The eggs are instantly frozen into a glass-like, rather than crystallized, form. These vitrified eggs are stored until you are ready to begin IVF treatments.
Typically, women who participate in fertility preservation:
Age (years) | |
< 32 | Usually too young to worry. |
32 – 36 | Ideal age to freeze eggs. |
37 – 38 | Clock is ticking. |
39 – 40 | Maybe too late. |
41+ | Usually too late. |
Cancer: | Any age 13 – 40 years old. |
Global Plan Fee | $6,900.00 |
Cryopreservation | $ 800.00 |
1st year Storage of Vitrified Eggs | $ 0.00 |
Total NCFMC Fees | $7,700.00 |
Each additional year of storage $ 500.00
IVF -Estimated medications (purchased from pharmacy) per cycle $3,600.00
The initial consultation fee of $225 will be rolled in the Global Plan Fee if you proceed with the egg freezing process.
*The above fee schedule does not include the cost of pre-cycle testing, fertility medications, frozen embryo transfers. Patients must complete cycle #1, 2 & 3 within a one year period to meet eligibility requirements for cycle #2 & 3 discounted rates.
NCFMC has partnered with ARC Fertility for Egg Freezing Financing.
If your company has Progyny fertility benefits, the entire cost of egg freezing may be covered. Check with your human resources department.
COSTS for CANCER PATIENTS:
NCFMC partners with LIVESTRONG Fertility to provide grants that significantly offset the costs of egg freezing. egg freezing gives women greater control ov
their future fertility success.
In most cases, the egg freezing process takes about three weeks from start to finish.
The first step is to evaluate egg quantity via the combined results of two tests: an Anti-Mullerian Hormone test (done by blood draw), which can be ordered by your OB/GYN or GP. Then, a fertility specialist will need to do an Antral Follicle Count using a vaginal ultrasound. The results of these tests will give us a good idea of your ovarian (egg) reserves. The ultimate goal is to retrieve 20 to 30 eggs.
You will use injectable fertility meds (gonadotropins) for about 10 days, to stimulate multiple eggs to mature in your ovaries. We’ll teach you how to do these injections in our office, but you can administer the daily injections on your own at home.
Over the course of two weeks, including the 10 days of injectable medications, you will have four to five different ultrasound visits (30-minutes each), after which you can return to work.
When it is time to retrieve the eggs, you’ll return to the office for a 15-minute Egg Retrieval procedure. We use an ultrasound probe to obtain a clear picture of the ovaries and then a specialized needle is inserted through the vaginal wall to retrieve eggs from each follicle. Because you are given mild IV sedation to help you remain calm, alert and pain-free, we recommend taking the rest of the day off.
For women with a low antral follicle count or an AMH < 1, then it is sometimes necessary to undergoing two cycles of medications and egg retrievals in order to obtain an adequate number of eggs for freezing.
The success rate of a live birth with egg freezing and IVF are estimated by age:
Ultimately, egg freezing gives women greater control over their future fertility success.
If you have questions and/or feel you are a candidate for egg freezing, contact us here at Northern California Fertility Medical Center. (916) 773-2229. We’re happy to speak with you by phone or you can schedule an on-site consultation with one of our renowned fertility specialists.