You’ve done the heavy lifting, now learn about how your eggs are stored and how to use them in the future
Within just a few hours of your retrieval procedure, your eggs are frozen via a laboratory technique known as vitrification (a method of quickly putting eggs into a deep freeze). The vitrification process involves moving your eggs through a series of solutions that gradually eliminate water from them. This causes visible shrinkage in your eggs. These solutions also include a cryoprotectant that permeates the cell membranes of your eggs to replace the removed water and safeguard them (to prevent ice crystal formation).
Next, your eggs are positioned on a specialized vitrification devices (usually 2-3 eggs per device) within a minimal amount of media. As the device holding your eggs is submerged into liquid nitrogen, they are rapidly cooled to -196°C, and the media containing the eggs solidifies into a glass-like bead.
The vitrification devices are individually labeled and placed in a labeled cane that is dedicated to your eggs only. The canes are placed and held in a long-term storage container known as a dewar which has been pre-filled with liquid nitrogen. The dewar is equipped with a 24/7 alarm system to notify embryologists of any temperature fluctuations. Your eggs can be stored there indefinitely until you choose to start a family.
Timing of the use of your eggs is completely under your control. The first step we suggest is identifying the month (or even the week) that you would like to undergo the embryo transfer procedure. From there, we will back up 3 months and suggest this to be the time to schedule your first appointment for a preconception and cycle planning consultation. This allows us plenty of time to complete pre-treatment testing (more below).
In parallel to this timeframe you can also be working on optimizing your personal general health. This involves checking in with your primary doctor regarding management or basic screening for any medical conditions and working on personal health outside of the medical office through diet, exercise, sleep hygiene and stress management.
A typical 3 month timeline to using your frozen eggs
ECS is a genetic test that checks for a wide range of genetic disorders that a person may carry and could potentially pass on to their children. ECS looks for a broad set of genetic conditions, often numbering in the hundreds. These conditions can include diseases like cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, Tay-Sachs disease, and many others.
The test usually involves providing a blood or saliva sample, which is then analyzed to identify any genetic mutations associated with these conditions. The goal is to provide individuals and couples with information about their risk of passing on genetic disorders to their children. Affected individuals could test for the condition via preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M).
Expanded carrier screening (ECS) before creation of embryos informs you of risks for certain inheritable genetic conditions.
A SIS is a simple office-based ultrasound procedure used to evaluate the inside of the uterus. It involves inserting a small, soft catheter into the uterus through the cervix. Then, a saline (saltwater) solution is injected into the uterus through the catheter, which expands the uterine cavity and allows for better visualization of the endometrial lining (where the embryo will implant).
This procedure can help identify abnormalities such as polyps, fibroids, or uterine adhesions that may not be easily seen with a regular ultrasound.
The inside of the uterus (where the embryo attaches) is evaluated with the use of saline water contrast and ultrasound: saline infusion sonogram (SIS)
Just as quickly is eggs go from the retrieval procedure to long term storage, eggs can be taken out of storage and thawed within minutes. The precise day of your egg thaw is based upon your scheduled embryo transfer date which is preplanned and synchronizes your body to the eggs.
Warmed (thawed) eggs are fertilized using a laboratory procedure known as ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). Here, one by one, each egg is fertilized with one sperm.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves mechanically injecting a single sperm, into a single egg
Within 18 hours of fertilization, eggs that were successful at receiving a sperm will be identified (now as embryos). Embryos are then kept in controlled conditions (media, temperature, humidity, pH) which allows them to naturally develop (cells divide). After a period of 5-7 days and after many cell divisions, some embryos will become blastocysts, the stage at which they are ready for implantation into a uterus.
After 5-7 days of culture, an embryo reaches its most advanced stage called a blasotcyst.
At the blastocyst stage, embryos can undergo optional testing known as PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). Here, a trophectoderm biopsy of the embryo is performed where a few cells (out of 100s) are extracted from the trophectoderm (outer layer of cells which are destined to become the placenta). These cells are then analyzed to determine if the embryo has the correct number of chromosomes (euploid) or if there are any extra or missing chromosomes (aneuploid).
PGT-A is often recommended for individuals or couples undergoing IVF who are at increased risk of having embryos with chromosomal issues, such as advanced maternal age or a history of multiple miscarriages.
Biopsy and testing helps identify embryos with a higher likelihood of implantation success and reduces the risk of miscarriage due to chromosomal abnormalities
The process of placing the embryo into your uterus (womb) is called an embryo transfer cycle. If you elect to pursue PGT-A (described above) you will undergo a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle (meaning embryos are first frozen and then thawed prior to placement in the uterus). Patients foregoing PGT-A can undergo a fresh embryo transfer.
Either way, the uterus needs to be preparred and synchronized with the age of the embryo. This is accomplished through the use of estrogen and progesterone medication which is closely monitored.
Medication preparation for transfer takes about 3 weeks and during this time you will have 2 ultrasound office appointments.
The embryo transfer procedure is a quick and gentle procedure (no anesthesia required). A thin, flexible catheter containing the selected embryo is gently inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity. Ultrasound guidance is used to ensure accurate placement of the catheter. Once the catheter is in position, the embryo is carefully released into the uterus.
At MFC, a large wall-mounted monitor with a live-feed to the lab bring you face to face with your embryo before the transfer
If you’ve made your initial consultation, congratulations on taking the first step! While you wait for the day of your new patient appointment, there are plenty of action items you...
If you’re currently trying to conceive or simply planning to become pregnant in the future, information about genetic testing options is a must. The technology behind genetic testing continues to...
who it may be for? Single women, Women with female partners, Women with a male partner who has no sperm or an unpredictable amount of sperm.