The first baby born in the UK following treatment using a frozen and thawed egg was in 2002. This process is still new and the numbers of cycles performed relatively small. At St Helier we are currently performing egg freezing and storage in partnership with the Bridge Embryologists and frozen eggs are stored in Bridge Cryoservices.
We use vitrification techniques to ensure egg survival and following freezing that means the eggs would need to undergo Intracytoplasmic sperm injection to ensure successful sperm penetration. It is difficult to predict the chance of a successful pregnancy using eggs that have been frozen. As a general rule the age, reproductive capability of the women and number of eggs frozen are the key issues.
So who might wish to freeze their eggs? Unfortunately female fertility declines with age. If you have elected, for whatever reason to postpone child bearing, storing your own eggs may be one option you wish to consider. Women at risk of premature ovarian failure or permanent sterility sometimes as a result of chemotherapy or radiotherapy may elect to freeze eggs.
In the event of an IVF cycle where no sperm were to be available on the day of egg collection, emergency freezing would be one option. Before being able to freeze eggs it is important that you have seen one of our Consultant Specialists and an independent counsellor to discuss the implications for egg freezing. We believe that egg freezing should be made available for women for both medical and social reasons.
At the current time the maximum storage period for eggs is ten years but in certain exceptional circumstances such as cancer treatment or premature ovarian failure the duration can be extended.
