In a previous blog I addressed the topic of conception and how “Procreation Vacations” are becoming increasingly popular with couples struggling to conceive a baby. Well, this blog highlights another segment of the population that also wants to conceive, but wants to do so on their own schedule… even if it means waiting until after the prime years for childbirth.
Women who want children, but want to put off pregnancy until they are ready have a new option these days. A process called egg freezing allows women to put their biological clocks on hold. Doctors say that women in their late 30’s and early 40’s are opting to store their eggs while they tend to their careers and search for Mr. Right. Woman who have used the technique say they have done so because they are afraid by the time they meet the right guy, they’ll be past their prime–in terms of childbearing age.
Its technical name is vitrification–it’s defined as a process that allows a woman to freeze her eggs, store them and thaw them out when she is ready to have a baby. Currently, the technique is offered by nearly every fertility clinic in the nation.
Here’s how it works. First, a woman is given drugs to stimulate egg production. Then she’s placed under general anesthesia…and eggs are removed vaginally with an ultrasound-guided needle. Next, an embryologist clears water from each of the eggs (any moisture left inside could damage it when it’s thawed). The final step is to put the eggs into liquid nitrogen, which is about 300 degrees below zero. The egg then freezes in a fraction of a second. And get this: The eggs can stay frozen in liquid nitrogen for up to 2000 years, though doctors say on average, women return for their eggs in about 4 to 5 years.
Egg freezing is a wonderful option for women who want to delay having children, but the process doesn’t come cheap. The procedure costs thousands of dollars… and in most cases it is not covered by insurance. What’s more, doctors say, there’s no guarantee every egg can be fertilized. But, according to women who have opted to freeze their eggs, the high cost and risks are worth it, after all, they say, you can’t put a price tag on a little peace of mind.