Top egg-freezing myths to consider as average age of conception rises
Over the last decade, the average age for having a baby rose to 32.2 years, up from 31.1 in 2011.
With women deciding to push having a baby until they feel they’re more educated and financially secure, many are contemplating the idea of freezing their eggs.
Kidspot recently caught up with Dr Lynn Burmeister, the Medical Director at No. 1 Fertility.
We asked her to debunk some of the common misconceptions that often cloud women’s understanding of their fertility options.
MYTH: I have a lifetime of eggs, I don’t need to freeze them
“Every woman is born with a finite number of eggs—and some have less than others—so it is possible to not only ‘run out’ of eggs but also have few eggs of poor quality,” Dr Lynn explained.
“Freezing eggs between the ages of 28 and 35 helps preserve your best quality eggs to use later on when you need them,” she added.
MYTH: Frozen eggs are not as good as fresh eggs when it comes to IVF
Another myth Dr Lynn dispelled was about the quality of fresh versus frozen.
“With modern technology, frozen eggs are exactly the same quality as fresh eggs.
“The eggs are snap-frozen (not unlike peas or carrots) to minus 196 degrees Celsius and then put into tanks.
“Frozen eggs are effectively suspended in time, and while you will likely come back to use them, they could be safely kept for hundreds of years!”
MYTH: You have to be single to freeze your eggs
Many loved-up women believe that there is no need to freeze their eggs, but Dr Lynn says this is another myth.
“There are so many reasons women choose to freeze their eggs,” she told Kidspot.
For many women, it’s not a question of if but when.
“We see patients who want to travel, are getting married, are busy at work or aren’t ready to give up their carefree lives for children.
“They tell us that making the decision to freeze their eggs takes the pressure off them so that they can enjoy life without the sound of their ticking biological clock in their ear.”
MYTH: Freezing my eggs will impact my chances of having a baby naturally
Knowing if you’ll be able to fall pregnant naturally is a risk many women aren’t comfortable with taking, and Dr Lynn explained that deciding to freeze your eggs is almost like insurance.
“Egg freezing is a biological backup, there for you if you need it. But it doesn’t mean you can’t have a baby naturally,” she said.
“Each month, you lose one egg when you have a period, and when we do an egg collection, we give you medicine to prompt your body to produce more eggs, but this doesn’t affect your overall egg stores.
“Some women may never need their frozen eggs, but it’s nice to know they are there if you need them.”
MYTH: Egg freezing is a complex and painful process
Are you thinking about it but scared of the process?
Dr. Lynn advised that it’s probably not what you’re expecting.
The egg-freezing process spans roughly three weeks, commencing with the onset of your period.
Initial consultations with a fertility specialist and blood tests are given before the administration of stimulating injections to enhance egg production.
Though self-injection may seem daunting, supportive nurses guide patients through the process.
After 10-12 days of injections, an ultrasound determines readiness for egg retrieval, and a trigger injection prompts ovulation. This is followed by a straightforward retrieval procedure under light anesthesia.
Post-retrieval, patients typically wake up feeling well and eagerly await egg count results.
Fertility specialists aim for 20 to 30 eggs for freezing, sometimes necessitating multiple cycles for optimal results.
MYTH: Everyone should freeze their eggs when they turn 30
While Dr Lynn says not everyone needs to freeze their eggs, she does suggest that all women consider having an egg bank test to determine their egg count.
She told us, “This is a blood test used to give an indication of ovarian reserve by measuring the Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH).”
“Ovarian reserve refers to the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries [and] these reserves decrease naturally with age.
“Whilst the AMH test can provide an insight into egg number, it does not give any indication about the egg quality, which declines steadily over a woman’s lifetime and starts to decline rapidly by the age of 36.
“The egg bank test is a great tool which gives you a chance to seek specialist help if you need it,” she added.
If you choose to navigate the path to freezing your eggs, know that there are experts who can support you with this decision.
Every woman’s journey into motherhood is different, and you should always choose what feels right for you.
