Egg Retrieval Procedure & Storage: An Overview

Do you wish to wait for your prince charming or are you currently working with your partner to build a life together for future children? Maybe you and your partner are considering “delayed parenthood?” or you're currently focused on your career and personal growth. As a woman in the 21st century, you could have many reasons to postpone having a baby, and we understand and respect that motherhood is a personal choice. Only you should determine the best time to embark on this journey.

However, while juggling work, life, and career, women may miss their best reproductive years to have a baby. In such cases, egg freezing(oocyte cryopreservation) could be an ideal option for fertility preservation, allowing you to protect your choice of having children later in life. It's time to prioritize your choice of when to become a mother by considering egg freezing.

Are you curious about how it all works? Read on to learn more about the egg retrieval procedure and storage and get answers to your questions.

Before we delve deeper into the topic, allow us to explain what  egg retrieval  is?

Egg retrieval is an imperative procedure for fertility treatment, or in this case, egg freezing. Egg or oocyte retrieval is the process wherein mature (unfertilized) eggs are extracted from a woman’s ovaries.^1,2 So let’s start with egg freezing.

What Is Egg Freezing?

It is the process by which the eggs collected from your ovaries are frozen using vitrification or “flash-freezing” at the temperature of -196° Celsius.³ Although there is another method called “slow-freezing” that can be used for eggs, it is less preferred, as flash-freezing techniques have proven to be more effective. Vitrified eggs have been shown to have higher oocyte survival rates post-thaw and higher pregnancy rates.⁴ 

So, without further ado, let us learn a bit more about the egg retrieval procedure. But, before we get into the specifics, let's talk about ovarian stimulation, which is yet another crucial step performed prior to egg retrieval. Ovarian stimulation is the process of using hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple follicles.^5,6 

This process can’t be missed since it serves two very important purposes. First, it helps in decreasing the risk of an absence of oocytes at the time of egg retrieval.⁴ And secondly, to increase the likelihood of obtaining the greatest number of high-quality embryos in order to increase one's chances of getting pregnant.⁴ 

Furthermore, it must be noted that after ovarian stimulation, the egg retrieval procedure should be carried out within the next 34 to 38 hours.⁴ After waiting for 34-38 hours post ovarian stimulation, the egg retrieval procedure is performed.⁵  

Egg Retrieval Procedure

Let’s take a glance at the steps involved in egg retrieval procedure, mentioned below:

Step 1

Once you've agreed on a date for egg retrieval with your doctor, you'll be expected to go to the clinic or hospital. When you arrive, you will be taken through a number of preliminary procedures such as a pelvic ultrasound and vaginal screening. Furthermore, for preventive reasons, your medical history will also be considered by the doctor. carried out within the next 34 to 38 hours.4  After waiting for 34-38 hours post ovarian stimulation, the egg retrieval procedure is performed.

Step 2

You will be prepared for the procedure and given anesthesia. Once you are sedated and comfortable, an ultrasound probe and needle will be used to access your ovarian follicles. Moreover, the doctor will secure the “follicular fluid” within the ovarian follicle, which will be sent to an embryologist.

Step 3

Once the aspirated fluid is received by the expert or embryologist, the mature and viable eggs are separated and stored.1 Moreover, the whole procedure of egg retrieval might take approximately 20 minutes.⁶

So far we’ve discussed the egg retrieval procedure; now, let’s take a look at some important post-procedure precautions to ensure a smooth recovery.

What To Avoid After Egg Retrieval

After the egg retrieval procedure, it is very important to follow your doctor’s advice to avoid all untoward complications and ensure the best outcome for fertility preservation. Some key things to avoid include:

• Strenuous Physical Activity – Stay away from heavy exercises or lifting heavy as it causes pressure on your ovaries, which might be sensitive after the procedure.
• Sexual Intercourse –  Doctors usually advise not to engage in intercourse right after the surgery to reduce the risk of getting infected or discomfort.

Let’s now take a closer look at how age can influence the outcomes of egg retrieval in IVF procedures.

Average Number Of Eggs Retrieved In IVF By Age

When considering the outcomes of egg retrieval, it’s helpful to understand the average number of eggs retrieved, as this can vary based on age and individual health factors:

• Women under 35 may retrieve about 10-20 eggs.
• Women between 35-37 typically retrieve 8-13 eggs.
• Women over 40 may retrieve fewer than 6 eggs, with some women having only 1-3 viable eggs available for fertilization.

Symptoms Of Infection After Egg Retrieval

Though very rare, infection can occur after the retrieval of eggs. Some of the symptom inclusions are:

• Feeling feverish or chills
• Cramping in the abdominal area
• Discharge that may have an unusual or foul odor from the vagina
• Redness or swelling at the location of injection

If you feel yourself experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is imperative to contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Changes In Your Periods After Egg Retrieval

Most women experience some spotting or light bleeding after egg retrieval, and this usually subsides within a few days. Sometimes, hormonal changes brought on by the process also delay or alter your cycle for the first cycle afterward.

How Long To Rest After Egg Retrieval

Although the process of egg retrieval is considered minimally invasive, your body will need some time to recover after the procedure. Rest for at least 24-48 hours after the procedure is recommended. Other women may take a day or two more to feel pretty good as far as bloating and discomfort are concerned.

When To Resume Intercourse After Egg Retrieval

You should also avoid having sexual intercourse for 1-2 weeks from the egg retrieval procedure, as your body will need some time to heal up and not allow the chance of infection.

Egg or Oocyte Storage

Once the eggs have been retrieved and the mature eggs have been derived by an embryologist, they are sent for the “vitrification” process. The process of vitrification requires high concentrations of cryoprotectants at the beginning. As the process continues, it needs to achieve a high rate of cooling, which is accomplished by using a slight amount of cryo-solutions.⁷ However, to avoid potential egg damage during “ice formulation” (flash-freezing), an mix of various cryoprotectants such as glycerol, propylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and so on are used.⁸ Furthermore, the cryopreserved egg samples are then stored under an extremely low temperature (-196° Celsius) inside cryo tanks with the help of liquid nitrogen.^7,8 Moreover, when the individual is ready to have children, the eggs can be thawed (unfrozen), fertilized (in-vitro or under laboratory conditions), and placed inside the uterus to develop further.⁹

According to a study published in 2022, there have been over 3000 successful live births from cryopreserved eggs to date!*¹⁰

^{*The data given above is extracted from a study that showed how egg freezing is an effective option of fertility preservation in female cancer patients.}

As previously mentioned, women can choose to store their eggs regardless of the reason for doing so. However, there are some cases where preserving eggs could be a tad more beneficial to some women, let’s have a glance at them.

4 Reasons To  Say “Yes” To Egg Freezing!

i. Medical Condition & Special Circumstances

There are several medical conditions and life choices that can impact fertility in both men and women, and in these cases, individuals may opt to store their eggs for later use.

Infertility can also be caused by medical conditions such as:^{11,12,13,14,15}

• Autoimmune diseases like lupus 
• Endometriosis 
• Fibroids 
• Primary ovarian insufficiency
• Sickle cell anemia

Additionally, individuals thinking of undergoing gender reassignment surgery from female to male will be unable to have children after the procedure.¹⁶ 

ii. Cancer Treatments

Cancer is an invasive disease. Moreover, its treatments, such as chemotherapy, can limit the secretion of estrogen (and, eventually, eggs), and radiation therapy to the pelvic region can inhibit fertility. In any case, if a woman receives brain radiation therapy, her pituitary gland is at risk of losing its ability to trigger hormone release (that regulates reproductive organs).¹⁷

Furthermore, surgery at the pelvis region in a cancer patient can also potentially alter or harm the nearby tissues, nerves, and reproductive organs, which could also cause infertility.¹⁷ This is why, women undergoing the aforementioned procedures are given a choice to preserve their fertility through egg retrieval and storage with cryopreservation.

iii. In-Vitro Fertilization

When undergoing IVF or another assisted reproductive technology, parents can either choose to cryopreserve their embryos, or eggs, and sperm separately. In the latter case, instead of an embryo, one may wish to have their eggs retrieved and stored.¹⁸ Furthermore, a study suggests that cryopreservation and thawing eggs at a later date has a higher chance of resulting in a successful pregnancy compared to using fresh embryos in assisted reproductive technology (ART).¹⁹

iv. Saving It For The Right Time!

Women regardless of age or marital status, who do not plan to have children in the near future can also opt for egg freezing. However, storing the eggs at an early age i.e., in their 20s or 30s (when eggs are viable for having babies) can be an excellent choice for women or even couples seeking “delayed  parenthood.”²⁰

Ending Note

Egg retrieval allows women to "save their fertility for later." Moreover, egg freezing helps women live a life without worrying about losing their best reproductive years. However, you may be wondering how to store your eggs. And where exactly? LifeCell's OvaVault is your answer!

OvaVault is a way to save your eggs when you're at your most fertile stage, so you can have babies whenever you want later in life! Do you want to learn more about it? Simply call us at 1800 266 5533!

FAQ

Are you awake during the procedure?

No, you are sedated for the procedure, which means you won't be awake or aware while the eggs are being retrieved.

Is egg retrieval painful?

No, the egg retrieval process is done under sedation. So, you do not feel any pain. However, you may experience some cramping or discomfort after the procedure.

How long does an egg retrieval procedure take?

The procedure itself takes about 20 minutes, but you should plan on a much longer time span to include preparation and recovery.

Is the procedure of egg retrieval a major surgery?

Egg retrieval is not considered a major surgical procedure. Egg retrieval is a minimally invasive procedure. While it is not taken as major surgery, it's still holding some risks, so the guidance of your doctor during aftercare is critical.