Egg Freezing Procedure 101: From Tentative Cost to Potential Risks, Top Fertility Expert Explains Everything

A lot of buzz around egg freezing is going on, with celebrities coming out and calling this procedure ‘a great aid’ to plan a late pregnancy. Recently, actress Rhea Chakraborty also spoke about planning to freeze her eggs. Despite egg freezing slowly gaining popularity, many women are still unsure whether to consider it. If you are also a woman in your 30s who wants to delay your pregnancy plans, this article is a must-read. Scroll down as a fertility specialist decodes egg freezing procedure for your ease of understanding.

What Is the Egg Freezing Procedure

Egg freezing has come up more often in consultations over the last few years, especially as more women try to balance personal timelines with biological realities.

According to Dr Prachi Benara, Fertility Specialist, Birla Fertility & IVF, Gurgaon, “We live in a time where career decisions, financial planning and even finding the right partner can naturally push parenthood to a later age. The body, however, follows its own clock, and egg quantity as well as egg quality decline with time. Hormonal or lifestyle factors can also add to this change.”

This is where egg freezing becomes relevant. The procedure is quite straightforward.

• Doctors stimulate the ovaries for around 10-12 days and monitor the egg development through ultrasound.
• Then, collect the mature eggs through a short, daycare procedure under light anaesthesia.
• These eggs are then frozen and stored at sub-zero temperatures, where their quality is preserved for years.

NOTE- It doesn’t guarantee pregnancy later, but it gives women a stronger starting point by preserving eggs at their healthiest, allowing them to plan conception when they are emotionally, physically or financially ready.

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The Average Cost Of Egg Freezing

One of the roadblocks for women to consider egg freezing is the cost involved. It is a popular notion that fertility procedures, including egg freezing, can cost a fortune, but is it really true?
Answering the question, Dr Benara says, “In India, the cost varies widely depending on what is included, and most clinics don’t see it as a separate specialisation. At our centres, we start at 1 lakh rupees, including five years of storage, which helps patients plan without unexpected add-ons.”

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Potential Risks And When To Consider Timeline

Like any medical procedure, egg freezing has potential risks, though they are uncommon. The two potential risks of egg freezing are:

• Mild bloating and discomfort are expected after stimulation.
• A more serious complication called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is possible but rare with modern protocols.

Overall, it is considered a safe procedure when guided carefully by an expert.

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When To Consider Egg Freezing?

The right time to consider egg freezing depends on individual circumstances and fertility potential, but broadly, women in their late 20s to early 30s tend to have the best outcomes because egg quality is highest.

• It is also worth considering for women with conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, or those advised to undergo treatments that may affect fertility.
• It is also an important option for women undergoing cancer treatments, as fertility preservation before chemotherapy or radiation can protect their chances of future parenthood.

Summing up, Dr Benara shares, “What I’ve seen over the years is that the medical part of the journey is one half of the experience. What women also need is emotional support before and during the process. Information empowers and hence, specialists must communicate their options clearly to them and give them a detailed understanding of the procedure itself for complete preparedness. Difficulty or stems steps from the unknown and hence, transparency and compassion is key.”