How Do I Choose an Egg Freezing Clinic?

Egg freezing, formally known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a medical procedure that allows you to preserve your fertility by retrieving, freezing, and storing your eggs for future use. 

Egg freezing is an exciting and empowering option for those who want to take control of their fertility and pursue their life goals on their own timeline. But where should you start? In this article, we’ll share some factors to consider when selecting an egg freezing clinic that will give you the confidence and support you need throughout the process.

Reputation

When it comes to choosing an egg freezing clinic, reputation is key. It’s not just about the clinic, it’s also about the doctor you will work with. There are a few ways to find out the reputation of a clinic and specific doctor. You can research online, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from your doctor or friends who have undergone the procedure.

If you work with Cofertility to freeze your eggs, we have a list of vetted fertility clinic partners we will share to help you make a confident choice.

Experience and outcomes

Now that you’ve narrowed down the list, you can use the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) website to look up data on specific fertility clinics. SART data provides detailed information on the number of cycles performed, age of patients, and success rates for various fertility treatments, including egg freezing. By reviewing the SART data, you can gain insight into a clinic's expertise and quality of care for egg freezing. Here’s how:

1. Go to SART's website at www.sart.org.
2. Click on "Clinic Data" in the top menu and select "National Summary Report."
3. Choose the year for which you want to view the data.
4. Use the search bar to find the clinic you are interested in.
5. Click on the clinic's name to view their data.
6. Look for the section titled "Egg Freezing Cycles" to see the clinic's success rates for egg freezing.
7. Review the clinic's success rates for egg freezing and compare them to the national average.

Keep in mind that success rates alone may not give a complete picture of a clinic's quality. SART may also not be helpful when looking up newer clinics, as the data takes about two years to post. If you’re working with a newer clinic, you can look up the doctor’s previous clinic to learn more about their past track record.

Accreditation and certification

To ensure that you receive the highest quality care, look for clinics that are accredited and certified by respected organizations. These certifications demonstrate that the clinic has met rigorous standards for safety, quality, and performance. Specifically, look for:

• The Joint Commission (JCAHO) is an independent, non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the United States. A fertility clinic that is accredited by the Joint Commission has met rigorous standards for quality and safety.
• College of American Pathologists (CAP) is a professional organization that accredits laboratories and pathology services. A fertility clinic that is accredited by the CAP has demonstrated proficiency in laboratory techniques and quality control.
• Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) reporting, as described in the section above. 

At Cofertility, we only partner with clinics that report outcomes to SART and have a CAP certified lab.

Technology and facilities

Egg freezing technology has come a long way in recent years, so it's important to choose a clinic that uses the latest equipment and facilities. By finding a clinic with state-of-the-art technology, you can be more confident that your eggs will be frozen and stored in the best possible conditions. Plus, a modern and comfortable clinic environment will help you feel relaxed and at ease during the process.

Here are some questions you can ask the clinic to get a better idea of their capabilities:

• What type of equipment do you use for egg freezing?
• How long have you been using this equipment, and how often do you update it?
• What is the success rate of your egg freezing procedure?
• Do you use vitrification or slow freezing? (You want a clinic that uses vitrification)
• What measures do you take to ensure the quality and safety of the eggs during the freezing process?
• Can you provide details about your laboratory and facilities for egg freezing, including any recent upgrades or renovations?
• Do you participate in research or clinical trials related to egg freezing?

By asking these questions, you can get a better sense of the clinic's commitment to using the latest technology and techniques for egg freezing, as well as their focus on quality and safety. A reputable and modern clinic will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with information to help you make an informed decision about your egg freezing journey.

The team

The staff at an egg freezing clinic can make all the difference in your experience. Look for clinics that have a team of knowledgeable, caring professionals who will guide you through every step of the process. The best clinics offer ongoing support and counseling to ensure that you feel confident and empowered throughout your egg freezing journey. During a consult, you’ll get to meet with the doctor and see if you click before moving forward.

Plus, if you work with us, you’ll get access to our team to help you every step of the way. 

Cost 

And last, but definitely not least, cost is an important consideration when choosing an egg freezing clinic. There’s no way around it, egg freezing is expensive. The typical egg freezing cycle can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 plus the cost of storage. A few clinics list their pricing on the website, but for most clinics, you will need to ask. Keep in mind that the price from the clinic does not usually include medications or long-term storage.  

Read more in How to Pay for Egg Freezing.

Cofertility can help

Freeze by Co offers women a chance to freeze their eggs for free when they donate half of the retrieved eggs to a family that can’t otherwise conceive. The cost of the entire process, including 10 years of cryopreservation, is fully covered. 

Or, if you want to freeze and store your eggs for your own future use without donating, Freeze by Co offers lower prices on things like consultations and storage, along with access to our community of women going through the process at the same time. ‍