embryo donation

You might not be looking to get pregnant right now, but if you’re curious how that actually happens when the time comes, you’re in the right place. It’s incredibly important to understand the actual process of how pregnancy occurs because after all, knowledge is power, right?  

But before we jump right into how an egg becomes fertilized, let’s go over the process that happens before fertilization.

The process of fertilization

It all starts with an egg

Females are born with two ovaries that hold millions of immature eggs which all have hopes of one day becoming an embryo, also known as a zygote. Every cycle, a subset of these eggs are ‘recruited’ to the surface of the ovaries and a single egg is selected to grow and ovulate. 

At the time of ovulation during the menstrual cycle, a mature egg leaves the ovary and travels through the fallopian tube where it crosses its fingers (metaphorically) that it will meet its potential match. That match being sperm, of course.

Don’t forget the sperm

Unfortunately, it’s not such an easy task for the sperm to get to the egg. This is a part of natural selection, so only the very best will survive. After ejaculation occurs, the sperm begins to travel along the female genital tract with the end goal being to meet the egg.

As we said, this trip isn’t a simple one. As the various sperm make their way to the egg, they’ll be pushed forward with the help of cervical mucus, but the acidic genital environment and immune cells of the woman can cause some sperm to die. It is up to the strongest spermatozoa to make it to the crown and lining of the egg.

When the sperm meets the egg in the fallopian tubes

This is where the real magic happens. Most sperm try to penetrate the egg, but not all make it through. The strongest sperm will make their way through the ovum, but only the fastest will penetrate the egg and actually fertilize.

When the strongest sperm meets the ovum an acrosomal reaction begins which will release enzymes that will eventually dissolve the outer layer of the egg.

They form an embryo

Now that the egg has found a match, within the next few hours, genetic material from the sperm and egg begin to integrate to create a zygote. This zygote holds a double set of chromosomes which is considered a single-cell embryo.

The embryo travels to the uterus

Now that the zygote has formed, it will then begin to make its way through the fallopian tube and into the uterus. Luckily, the lining of the fallopian tube is  covered in cilia which helps direct the embryo to the uterine cavity. 

Embryo division

Not only does the zygote have an important job of traveling to the uterus but it also begins to divide numerous times in order to become a multicellular embryo which is also known as a blastocyst. The division period starts immediately upon fertilization and can last for up to 3 days. Beyond day 3, the embryo begins to differentiate into two cell types: cells that will one day become the baby, and those that will turn into placenta. This is called a blastocyst stage embryo (from day 5 to 7 post-fertilization).

Implantation in the uterus

When the blastocyst has been established, the embryo must attach to the uterine wall which typically occurs about 6 days after fertilization and is completed around day 9 or 10. Pregnancy is truly achieved once this attachment occurs. 

The adherence to the wall is a crucial step as this is where the embryo will receive its nourishment and oxygen from the mother throughout the development of the pregnancy.

How is the sex of the baby determined?

While you may not find out for a few weeks what the sex of your baby is, you may be surprised to know that this is one of the first defining factors of the embryo during natural fertilization. This is thanks to that one sperm that won the race. 

A zygote contains 46 chromosomes, half of which come from the mother and the other half from the father. The zygote receives the 46 chromosomes due to the fact that each sperm cell holds 23 chromosomes, as well as the egg nucleus.

However, the egg and sperm carry different types of chromosomes. While an egg cell contains only X chromosomes, a sperm cell contains either an X or Y chromosome. When both cells split off to create their own zygote, you may end up with a girl by obtaining an X from the egg and an X from the sperm (X+X), OR on the contrary, a Y carrying sperm may merge with the egg creating a boy (X+Y).

Where does fertilization occur during IVF, IUI, ICSI, and PICSI?

If you’re having trouble getting pregnant naturally, your doctor may suggest looking into In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) as other methods of conception. However, instead of an egg becoming fertilized within a woman’s body, it occurs in a lab setting. 

With the use of healthy mature eggs and sperm to fertilize them, fertilization can occur inside a culture dish. Mind blowing, right? For those that struggle with natural fertilization, IVF, IUI, and ICSI are possible routes to explore. 

Throughout the years, these processes have become significantly more advanced and can be a successful way for one to become pregnant. Each process is a little bit different, so it’s important to understand the difference between IUI vs. IVF vs. ICSI.

Learn more about more accessible — even free — egg freezing

Cofertility is a fertility ecosystem that enables women to freeze their eggs for free when they donate half of the eggs to a family that otherwise can’t conceive, providing support and education for everyone involved along the way. Learn more about Freeze by Co!

Egg donation is an incredible way for women to help others fulfill their dreams of parenthood — but you might be wondering, what does “egg donation” actually mean? The process involves several steps, and it’s important to have a rock-solid understanding of what’s involved before moving forward with donating your eggs. 

In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of egg donation, why women choose to donate their eggs, dispel common myths about egg donation, and share more about how the Cofertility Split program is a unique approach to egg donation. 

How egg donation works

Egg donation is a medical process in which a woman provides her eggs to assist another individual or couple in conceiving a child. This process can be a beacon of hope for those struggling with infertility, same-sex couples, or individuals who cannot use their eggs for various medical reasons, like cancer survivors. 

The egg donation process, step-by-step

Screening and matching

As a first step, if you’re interested in donating your eggs, you can apply to Freeze by Co’s programs by answering a few quick questions about yourself. If you qualify, you’ll move on to the full application where you’ll provide some information about your family medical history, genetic background, and motivations for going through the process.  

Once you’ve been accepted into Freeze by Co’s Split program — where you can freeze your eggs for free when you donate half of the eggs retrieved to another family who can’t conceive — you’ll immediately join our member community, where you can connect with others at the exact same point in the process, lean on each other, and learn from one another. 

As you await your intended parent match, you’ll undergo some bloodwork at a local lab to get an idea of your potential ovarian reserve (or egg count) ahead of time. This helps give everyone the confidence that you’ll get enough eggs to share. Once you match with an intended parent, you’ll then undergo in-person medical and psych testing before moving on to legal contracts, your stimulation cycle, and retrieval. 

Donating eggs is a big deal, and not to be taken lightly on either end — so these first screening steps are incredibly important!  

Legal 

Once you’ve entered into a match with intended parents and you’ve passed your initial physical screening, you will enter into a legal agreement with the intended parents. This document will lay out all specifics regarding your and the intended parents’ rights throughout the process. Specifically, it will note that by donating your eggs, you waive all rights to those eggs and are not considered the parent of any resulting embryos or children.

This contract also provides the opportunity to put into writing your preferences around disclosure and communication, and intended parents will do the same. Ultimately, this is a vital step throughout the process — and at Cofertility, we provide members of our Split program legal counsel to ensure they are represented fairly.

Stimulation and retrieval

Once you’ve been given the green light, you’ll begin your egg donation cycle. During your 10-14 day cycle, you’ll take injectable hormone medications daily to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple egg-containing follicles. Frequent monitoring via quick blood tests and ultrasounds will ensure that your eggs are reaching peak maturity prior to retrieval. As the eggs mature, you may feel some bloating.

When the eggs reach maturity, a minor surgical procedure known as an egg retrieval is performed under sedation. A specialized needle is used to extract the eggs from your ovaries, and it’s a relatively quick procedure, and you’ll go home that day to get some rest. Your doctor will monitor you closely afterwards and check in after the procedure to ensure there are no complications. 

Your half of the eggs will be frozen and safely stored for up to 10 years for free. The other half will go to the family you matched with. 

Read more:

• Egg Freezing: How Long Can My Eggs Be Stored?
• Egg Freezing Thaw Rates

So, why would a woman donate her eggs? 

There are many reasons why someone might donate her eggs, but the main rationale we tend to hear falls into a few main categories: 

• Empathy and compassion: Many women choose to donate their eggs out of a desire to help others experience the joy of parenthood. They want to make a meaningful difference in someone's life and recognize the emotional struggles of those trying to bring children into the world, especially if they know someone first-hand who has faced family-building challenges.
• Ethical considerations: Many egg donors share a strong belief in reproductive autonomy, allowing individuals and couples to make choices about their family-building journey.
• Opportunity to freeze your eggs for free: Egg donation can also offer financial compensation to donors, though the exact amount varies by location and agency. Our Split program instead offers a unique approach, allowing women to freeze their eggs for free when they donate half the eggs retrieved to another family. 

Facts and myths about egg donation

When it comes to egg donation, there’s a ton of misinformation out there — let’s dive into some of the big myths you may come across and dissect which ones are fact vs. fiction.

Can you still have kids after donating eggs?

Yes. Donating eggs does not affect a woman's ability to have children in the future. A stimulation and retrieval cycle involves such a small fraction of a woman’s total egg supply, which the body replenishes. That said, it's essential to consider your own family-building goals with a healthcare provider before becoming a donor — which is why we offer our Split program. Those participating in the program are able to preserve a bit of their own fertility while doing something amazing for another family.

Read more in Does Donating Eggs Affect Your Fertility?

Are donor eggs your baby?

Nope. Donor eggs are *not* babies. They are half of the genetic material used for the child of the intended parent(s), with the remaining genetic material coming from the sperm provider (the intended parent or a sperm donor). A donor's contribution is solely the eggs, not the full genetic makeup of the child. And, as mentioned above, as part of the process you’ll sign a legal agreement clarifying that you do not have rights to any embryos or children resulting from these eggs. 

Will I experience psychological impact? 

Yes — but in a good way! If screened and educated properly (this is a big “if”), anyone donating eggs should have full informed consent about the donation process and everything involved. All egg donors should undergo thorough psychological assessments and have access to counseling before, during, and after the process to ensure their emotional well being.

At Freeze by Co, our model removes cash compensation from the egg donation process (rather, enabling women in our Split program to freeze half of the eggs for their own future use for free). We’ve designed the program to provide Split members with the opportunity to not only preserve some of their own fertility future, but also help another family. This way, everyone involved can feel good about the journey.

Read more in Will I Regret Donating My Eggs?

Donating eggs through Cofertility's Split program

Cofertility's Split program is a unique approach to egg donation that distinguishes itself from traditional methods rooted in cash compensation and icky practices. Our program helps provide everyone — both the person freezing and donating their eggs and the intended parent(s) — with autonomy to grow their family, whether that’s today, or maybe some time in the future. 

Members of our Split program get to keep half of the eggs retrieved, plus:

• Free storage of their own eggs in cryopreservation for up to 10 years
• Coverage of all medical costs for the egg donation process
• Connection to the Cofertility community for support all along the way and after too 
• The ability to work with the intended parents to decide together what your relationship will look like

If giving your eggs to intended parents sounds like something you would like to do, you may be able to qualify for the free egg freezing process and have your donation process covered too.

Take our quiz to see if you qualify for our Split program today! 

We believe that every donor deserves to have a positive and empowering experience, and we are committed to making that a reality. That’s why Cofertility was named one of the Best Egg Donor Programs by Egg Donor Connect.

I’ll be honest — prior to my first egg retrieval, I was a little bit nervous about the recovery process. Although everyone says it’s pretty manageable, you never know, especially when anesthesia is involved. At the time (this was in 2019), there weren’t a ton of online resources out there to help prepare myself, so I just trusted my fertility clinic and asked around. As a result, my expectations were only somewhat managed. I just didn’t know what I didn’t know. The good news is, it went smoothly and I now have a beautiful son from this cycle.

After reading this article, your experience, hopefully, will be different. Consider this your guide to egg retrieval recovery: what to expect, how to prepare, and tips and tricks to make sure your recovery process is as smooth and quick as possible. 

Preparing for an egg retrieval

You’ve already navigated your insurance to afford it (or perhaps you froze your eggs for free with Cofertility); you’ve already started injecting yourself with hormones daily…in hindsight, to me, those were actually the hardest parts, compared to the egg retrieval itself. But when you’re in the thick of it, the thought of an egg retrieval itself can feel kind of scary. Especially if it will be the first time you are under sedation.

Not only might you have concerns about sedation, pain, or recovery, but you also might have some nerves about the finality of it all: how many eggs they’ll retrieve, how many of those will be mature, how many of those might eventually fertilize down the line should you need them…it’s easy to let your mind wander. I get it. I’ve been there, too. 

Turns out, my personal retrieval experiences (yes — I did it more than once) actually felt like the best naps I’ve ever had. Honestly, the hardest part was not eating beforehand. If you can help it, see if you can get a time slot as early as possible in the day. The good news is, the retrieval itself is relatively quick (like, 15 minutes quick — though it’ll feel like you slept way longer). Once the sedation wears off, your clinic will likely provide you with some snacks and drinks to get your energy going again. If you’d like to learn more about what an egg retrieval is actually like, we’ve got a whole guide for you. 

What to buy for egg retrieval recovery

All of that being said, if you’re a big planner like I am, you might want to know what to buy in advance to make sure your egg retrieval recovery goes smoothly. Since I want you to be your most prepared self heading into your retrieval, there are a few things I’d recommend purchasing beforehand, even if recovery only takes about a day or two.

Egg retrieval recovery essential #1: heating pad

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When recovering from an egg retrieval, a good heating pad is a must. You might experience some cramping, and gentle heat will help make you feel more comfortable. We love the cute daisy pattern on this one and you can control the heat levels manually. 

Egg retrieval recovery essential #2: comfy clothes 

You probably already have your fair share of PJs, but why not give yourself an extra boost of post-retrieval joy with something new and super soft to lounge in while you get some rest? We love the lightweight jogger fit of these pants and they come in a ton of colors.  

Egg retrieval recovery essential #3: supplements and OTC medicines 

It’s a good idea to stock up on the following, just in case: 

• Fiber or stool softeners: to help you go, since you may experience some constipation or sensitivity in that area (we love this one from Natalist)
• Pain reliever (like Tylenol): for cramping
• Stool softeners: to help you go, since you might be sensitive in that area
• Anti-nausea meds (like antacids): since you might experience a bit of residual nausea afterwards

Egg retrieval recovery essential #4: water bottle

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You’ll need all the fluids you can get as you recover from your egg retrieval. We’re going to guess you already have an emotional support water bottle, but if not — now’s the time! We love this Owala version that comes in a bunch of colors. Bonus points if you fill it with something with lots of electrolytes, like coconut water. 

Egg retrieval recovery essential #5: pads

Because you may experience some residual bleeding after your retrieval (and since you can’t use tampons for at least a week), we recommend stocking up on some pads. This variety pack from August will keep you covered day and night.

Egg retrieval recovery essential #6: binge-worthy content 

Okay, so this isn’t something you necessarily need to purchase, but it’s worth downloading some mindless shows ahead of time so you won’t have to think about what to watch. 

What to expect after your egg retrieval

Now that you’ve done all your prep, you might be wondering what your recovery will actually be like. After your egg retrieval is done, you’ll wake up in your clinic’s recovery area as the nurses (and possibly an anesthesiologist) continue to monitor you. Your doctor or nurse will let you know how many eggs were retrieved, and if you’ve sufficiently woken up and are feeling mostly normal, they’ll give you permission to leave as long as you’re accompanied by someone. Note: you will not be allowed to drive yourself.

How long is egg retrieval recovery?

Some people feel completely themselves that day and technically could even go to work, but we do recommend at least a day of rest after an egg retrieval if possible. Some doctors may recommend refraining from heavy exercise for about a week (though walking or light movement is okay), and staying on pelvic rest for that same period — meaning, no tampons or sex. You may also be asked to avoid taking baths or swimming to avoid infection. 

Egg retrieval recovery side effects

In general, egg retrieval side effects might include: 

• Bloating
• Cramping
• Constipation
• Spotting

Some of the above recommended products, like heating pads and over the counter medicines can alleviate these symptoms. The most important element of egg retrieval recovery, however, is rest. And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. 

When to call your doctor

After your egg retrieval, you should feel totally like yourself again within a few days. That said, there are a few red flags to watch out for. If you experience any of the following symptoms, report them to your doctor right away:

• Temperature greater than 101° F
• Persistent, severe nausea and/or vomiting
• Severe abdominal pain or swelling 
• Heavy vaginal bleeding (soaking through a pad every hour) 
• Painful or difficult urination
• Fainting or dizziness

You’ve got this

Just by reading this article, you’re already very prepared for your egg retrieval. Like I said, knowledge is power — and that’s what we’re here to give you. 

If you haven’t yet moved forward with the egg freezing process and you’re interested in learning more about how you can freeze your eggs for free with Cofertility, click here to take our quiz and get started. It just takes a minute. 

If you just started researching egg freezing, you might feel like you’ve been introduced to a whole new language. Whether clinical in nature or just shortened slang, with egg freezing comes its own terminology. And even if you’ve already educated yourself on what’s involved with egg freezing, chances are, you’ll come across an acronym you’ve never heard of. 

Fear not. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of acronyms, abbreviations, and terms you should know when diving into an egg freezing cycle. Read this, and soon you’ll rattle off egg freezing lingo like a pro. 

Hormones and general fertility 

• AMH: One of the first hormones your reproductive endocrinologist will investigate, Anti-Müllerian Hormone is measured early in a woman’s cycle to determine her ovarian reserve. A higher AMH level correlates to a higher ovarian reserve, or in other words, more eggs.
• CD: "Cycle day"—or the day of one's menstrual cycle, with CD1 = the first day of a period. Understanding your cycle length is super important, as it may indicate your most fertile window of dates. It will also help you determine any irregularities to consider as you embark on an egg freezing cycle. 
• DPO: "Days past ovulation." In a typical menstrual cycle, women can expect their period at 14DPO.
• Dx: Diagnosis, the medical identification of a condition or issue affecting fertility, which may impact decisions regarding egg freezing and related treatments.
• E2: Estradiol, a female hormone that's produced by ovarian follicles and determines how well a woman is responding to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with fertility drugs. If you're freezing your eggs, you’ll have several routine monitoring appointments that include ultrasounds and bloodwork that measures estradiol levels. The higher the estradiol, the more follicles that are likely developing and (fingers crossed) the more eggs that may be retrieved.
• FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone, a hormone released from the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries or testicles. When getting an initial fertility workup, you'll get tested for your existing FSH. If you're taking FSH as a drug as part of your egg freezing protocol, it's also known in the United States as Follistim, Gonal-F or Bravelle.
• hCG: Human Chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced by an implanting embryo. If this hormone is present in a woman's blood, it indicates a possible pregnancy. It can also be given to women undergoing an egg freezing cycle to trigger ovulation right before a retrieval procedure.
• LH: Luteinising Hormone, a hormone released by the pituitary gland to stimulate the gonads (ovaries and testicles). If you're freezing your eggs, you'll have levels of this hormone measured often via bloodwork in order to determine ovulation timing.
• LMP: "Last menstrual period," or the start date of a woman's last menstrual period.
• MII: Metaphase II, the stage of egg maturation where the egg is ready for (hypothetical) fertilization, with chromosome alignment necessary for successful embryo development.
• PCOS: "Polycystic ovarian syndrome," a condition where the ovaries develop many small cysts, which results in irregular periods and ovulation. It can contribute to future infertility, so if you know you have PCOS, regardless of whether you’re freezing your eggs or not, chat with a reproductive endocrinologist to ensure a safe and healthy plan.
• TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland meant to stimulate the release of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. Recent research has suggested that slightly low TSH may associate with fertility challenges.

Egg freezing 

• AFC: “Antral follicle count,” a count of the number of small follicles in a woman's ovaries, seen via ultrasound early on in her cycle. Used to measure ovarian reserve, you'll have a lot of these if you're freezing your eggs to monitor how you're responding to ovary-stimulating medication.
• ART: “Assisted reproductive technology,” including any procedure involving egg retrievals and manipulating eggs and sperm outside the body. It includes things like egg freezing, gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and zygote intrafallopian transfer/tubal embryo transfer (ZIFT/TET). 
• BCP: Birth control pills. If you’re freezing your eggs, your doctor may prescribe these as part of a medicated cycle in order to regulate the timing
• COH: “Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation,” when several follicles mature simultaneously in response to fertility drug treatment. The key word here is controlled. Your follicle growth will be carefully monitored by your doctor, who will adjust your medication protocol accordingly to stimulate or halt further growth.
• ER: "Egg retrieval" — not "emergency room!" An ER will be performed as part of an egg freezing cycle, and may also be referred to as a VOR (“Vaginal Oocyte Retrieval”).
• IM: Intramuscular, a method of injecting medication directly into a muscle. This method is often used for hormone treatments during the egg freezing process.
• OC: “Oocyte Cryopreservation,” which is another term for egg freezing. 
• OHSS: “Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome,” a condition where the ovaries become excessively swollen and painful due to the overproduction of eggs from fertility medications. This is very rare, but can happen.
• REI: "Reproductive endocrinologist," or a doctor who specializes in treating male and female fertility.
• SD1: “Stimulation Day 1,” or the first day of medication administered to stimulate the ovaries for egg production during the egg freezing process.
• SQ: Subcutaneous (also abbreviated as SC), a method of injecting medication into the fatty tissue just under the skin, commonly used for administering fertility hormones during an egg freezing cycle.
• TVUS: “Transvaginal Ultrasound,” an imaging technique used to visualize the ovaries and follicles internally, providing information about egg development and ovarian health. If you’re undergoing an egg freezing cycle, you’ll have a lot of these, but they are quick and painless. 

Egg donation

• DE: “Donor eggs,” or eggs provided by another woman to be fertilized with sperm and transferred to the uterus of an intended parent or gestational carrier.
• IP: “Intended parent,” which is a person who becomes the legal parent of a child born through third party reproduction.

If you’re feeling totally overwhelmed by all that’s involved with egg freezing, we’ve got you covered. Take our quiz to see how you may qualify for our more accessible egg freezing opportunities, including our Split program, through which you can freeze your eggs for free when you donate half to another family who can’t conceive. 

We’re wishing you the best of luck on your egg freezing journey! 

You may not be ready to have kids quite yet, but perhaps you’re starting to think about your future. If you’re exploring fertility preservation or assisted reproductive technologies, you might be considering whether egg freezing and embryo banking is right for you. 

Both options offer unique advantages and considerations, and understanding their differences is important for making an informed choice that aligns with your goals and values. In this guide, we'll dive into both egg freezing vs. embryo banking, empowering you to navigate this important decision with confidence.

How does egg freezing and embryo banking differ?

Both egg freezing and embryo banking begin with the same medical procedure: about 10-14 days of fertility medications and monitoring appointments, followed by an egg retrieval. 

The fertility medications encourage the development of multiple mature eggs, followed by a minimally invasive procedure to retrieve those eggs. The medical process, medications, and monitoring are identical whether you ultimately choose to freeze your eggs or create embryos.

The key difference between egg freezing and embryo banking lies in what happens after your eggs are retrieved.

• Egg Freezing: The retrieved eggs are immediately frozen using vitrification technology and stored until you're ready to use them. In the future, when you decide to pursue pregnancy, these eggs will be thawed, fertilized with sperm, and the resulting embryos will be transferred to your uterus.
• Embryo Banking: The retrieved eggs are fertilized with sperm in the laboratory, creating embryos. These embryos are then cultured for a few days and the healthiest ones are selected and frozen. When you're ready for pregnancy, the embryos are thawed and transferred to your uterus.

In essence, the medical journey up to the point of retrieval is the same for both options. The decision point comes after retrieval, where you choose whether to freeze the eggs unfertilized or to fertilize them and freeze the resulting embryos. Which option is right for you may depend on factors like whether you have a partner or access to sperm at the time of retrieval, or your personal preferences around timing and future family planning.

Egg freezing: increasing your options down the line

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process where your eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for future use. This technology has revolutionized fertility preservation, providing women with the opportunity to delay childbearing and increase their chances of having a biological child later in life.  

Pros of egg freezing

• Flexibility and autonomy: Egg freezing offers women greater control over their reproductive timeline. It allows them to focus on career goals, personal development, or finding the right partner before starting a family.  
• Medical reasons: Women facing medical conditions that may impact their fertility, such as cancer treatment or certain surgeries, can benefit from egg freezing as a way to preserve their options.  
• Technological advancements: Advances in vitrification (flash-freezing) technology have significantly improved the success rates of egg freezing, making it a more reliable option.  

Cons of egg freezing

• Age-related factors: While egg freezing can preserve fertility, the age at which eggs are frozen plays a critical role in their viability and potential for successful pregnancy.  
• Additional procedures: If you decide to use your frozen eggs, you'll need to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) to fertilize them and transfer the resulting embryos.  
• Cost: Egg freezing and subsequent IVF can be expensive, and insurance coverage may vary.  

Embryo banking: a step closer to parenthood

Embryo banking, or embryo cryopreservation, involves creating embryos through IVF using a woman's eggs and a partner's or a donor's sperm. These embryos are then frozen and stored for future use.  

Pros of embryo banking

• Known fertility potential: With embryo banking, you have a better understanding of the fertility potential of the embryos, as they have already undergone fertilization and, if you choose, can undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). This allows you to understand the genetic makeup of your embryos sooner and determine whether additional egg retrievals might be needed.
• Higher success rates: Embryos have slightly higher survival rates after thawing compared to eggs, potentially increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
• Gender selection: With embryo banking, you have the possibility of learning the sex of the embryos sooner through preimplantation genetic testing), whereas with egg freezing, you would need to wait until fertilization and further testing at a later stage.

Cons of embryo banking

• Requires sperm: Embryo banking requires the use of sperm, which may not be ideal fo r those without access to sperm or those who haven't found a partner yet.  
• Ethical and legal considerations: Embryo banking could raise ethical and legal questions regarding ownership, disposition, and potential future use of the embryos, particularly in cases of divorce or death.
• Can’t be undone: Once embryos are created with someone’s sperm, they can’t be turned back into eggs, meaning you can’t change your mind on the biological father for those fertilized eggs down the line.

Questions to ask yourself

Choosing between egg freezing and embryo banking is a deeply personal decision, and will depend on your individual circumstances, goals, and values. To help you navigate this choice, here are some good questions to ask yourself:

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• What are my current relationship goals and family plans? Are you planning to have children with your partner? Or are you unsure about your future plans?
• What is my financial situation, and can I afford the associated costs? Both egg freezing and embryo banking can be expensive. Does your insurance cover the costs? Does your employer, or a partner’s employer, offer any fertility benefits?
• What are my thoughts regarding embryo creation and storage? Embryo banking involves creating and potentially storing embryos that may not be used. Would you be okay with that?
• Am I comfortable with the potential outcomes and uncertainties associated with each option? Both egg freezing and embryo banking have varying success rates, and there's no guarantee of a successful pregnancy. 
• Have I discussed my options with my partner and/or a fertility doctor? Open communication with your partner and seeking guidance from a fertility doctor will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and values.

Remember, knowledge is power. Understanding the processes and considerations involved will help you make the choice that best suits your individual needs and aspirations.

Summing it up

Choosing between egg freezing and embryo banking is a big decision with long-term implications. You’ll want to carefully consider your individual circumstances, goals, and values before moving forward. 

Remember, you can always turn eggs into embryos but the opposite is not true. So if you have any doubt, freezing eggs may provide more flexibility for future decisions.

Egg freezing and embryo banking with Cofertility

We’d love the opportunity to support you on your egg freezing or embryo banking journey.

Through our Split program, qualified applicants can freeze their eggs for free when donating half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.

Through our Keep program — where you keep 100% of eggs retrieved for your own future use — we offer exclusive discounts on expenses, such as frozen egg storage. Keep and Split members also get access to our Freeze by Co Community, a safe space for those engaging in the egg freezing process (or gearing up for it) to connect and lean on each other.

By making egg freezing easier and more accessible, our programs further strengthen the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)’s Committee Opinion that egg freezing can help individuals overcome the biological constraints of their reproductive timeline, giving egg freezers greater control of their career goals and family planning while promoting social justice and advancing gender equality.

Read more:

• Should I Freeze Eggs or Embryos?
• We Asked Four Women: Did You Freeze Eggs or Embryos?
• How Much It Costs to Freeze Your Eggs
• Should Your Partner Help Pay For Your Egg Freezing?

In today's world, the path to parenthood is anything but one-size-fits-all. People are getting married later, and about 20% of women in the U.S. now have their first child after age 35. Whether you're focused on your career, haven't found the right partner, or are facing health challenges, your timeline for starting a family probably looks different from your parents. 

If you're exploring options for future family planning, you may be wondering about embryo banking. Is it the right choice for you? Let's dive in and learn more.

How does embryo banking work?

In essence, embryo banking is the process of creating embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF), then freezing and storing them for future use. It's like having a biological time capsule, waiting to be opened when you're ready for parenthood.

The journey begins with the same steps as IVF. First, you undergo ovarian stimulation to encourage the production of multiple mature eggs. Once ready, these eggs are retrieved through a 30-minute minimally invasive procedure. Then, in the lab, these eggs are fertilized with sperm (from a partner or donor), creating embryos. The embryos are carefully selected and frozen using a technique called vitrification, which allows them to be stored safely for many years to come.

Who is a candidate for embryo banking?

Embryo banking is for women who are absolutely sure they know who they want to be the biological father of their future children. It's a proactive choice for individuals and couples in a variety of situations:

• People undergoing IVF: If you’re undergoing IVF and want multiple children, some doctors will recommend embryo banking before doing an embryo transfer. 
• People delaying parenthood: Maybe you're not quite ready for kids, but you want to ensure you have the option later. Embryo banking can help you safeguard your chances of having a biological child.
• Individuals facing medical treatments: Cancer treatments, surgeries, or other medical conditions can impact fertility. Embryo banking offers a way to preserve your options before undergoing such treatments.
• Same-sex couples: Embryo banking, combined with egg or sperm donation, can help same-sex couples achieve their dream of having a genetically related child.
• Single individuals: If you're single but know you want to use a sperm donor, embryo banking can give you a head start on that goal.

How many embryos should you bank?

During the IVF process, not all fertilized eggs will develop into viable embryos suitable for transfer. This natural attrition rate can mean that you will likely start with a larger number of fertilized eggs but end up with fewer healthy embryos.

It’s generally recommended to aim for approximately two genetically tested embryos frozen per the number of children you'd like to have. So, if you're hoping for two children, aiming to bank around four genetically tested embryos would be a reasonable goal.

Of course, you’ll want to talk through this with your fertility doctor. They can take into account factors like your age, overall health, and any specific fertility concerns to provide personalized guidance on the ideal number of embryos to bank for your situation.

Is embryo banking right for you?

You’ll want to weigh the potential benefits of embryo banking against the considerations, and figure out if this is an investment you want to make. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What are my future family plans?
• Am I okay creating embryos I may never use?
• Can I afford the associated costs?
• Am I emotionally prepared for the process and potential outcomes?

Of course, egg freezing is an alternative option. You can learn more about that here. 

The bottom line

Embryo banking is one way to take control of your fertility journey. It's not just about preserving embryos, it's about increasing the chances and the possibility of building a family when the time is right for you. The path to parenthood is unique for everyone, and embryo banking might be the key to unlocking yours.

If you are interested in freezing your eggs or banking embryos, we can connect you with a fertility specialist for a consultation to discuss your specific situation. Our Freeze by Co platform is making egg freezing more empowering, positive, and accessible — even free — when you give half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.