Keeping the dream of family alive...(Please post your questions!!! I'm here to help. I know there's not enough information out there about oocyte cryopreservation)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Questions???
So, does anyone have any questions for me? Comments? Is the sharing of my story helpful? Thanks! MBM
Thanks for sharing your story. I was wondering if you could post a bit about the process of getting the necessary doctor's referrals or whatever was required to start the procedure.
I've found it hard to get a referral to a gynecologist who knows anything about the process, and the local fertility clinic requires extensive tests and prior infertility issues to even get in the door. At one point you mentioned attending an evening information session... how did you hear about it? It seems that in Canada, finding where you can get this done is half the battle.
In my city, you can get some of the cost subsidized, but only if you're entering a program of chemotherapy. That's good, but if I'm healthy and just concerned about my future fertility it doesn't seem to be a priority in our healthcare system, which is too bad. I have to make a choice to spend the money on eggs rather than a down payment on a house, or rent, or whatever.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on the referral part and any trouble you might have had that way.
Thank you for your question. I paid for this entirely myself. I believe that in the US, depending on your insurance plan, you might be able to have it partially covered by insurance if you have cancer, but luckily you and I do not.
I did not get a referral. In the US, probably because it is such a profitable business, where prices are not kept down by insurance companies negotiating with the fertility clinics, you can easily get an appointment. You should not require fertility tests because you are not experiencing infertility!
You should try contacting organizations such as Extend Fertility (http://www.extendfertility.com) to try to find fertility clinics near you that do egg freezing. I believe that Extend Fertility is a for-profit company that works with multiple fertility clinics to educate people interested in egg freezing and point them to a local clinic. I'm guessing that they are paid a fee by the clinics, but I don't know that for sure. In fact, I heard about the information session which I attended from them. It was held at a local clinic in NYC. The presentation was given by one of the local fertility doctors.
Finally, yes, it does require a large financial commitment. Each woman has to decide for herself whether it's truly worth it.
I wish you the best of luck. Please let me know if I can be of further help.
Hi there. I so wish I had found this blog 3 weeks ago! I'm going in for my retrieval tomorrow morning at 9:15 am. On my last ultrasound (yesterday -- Monday morning), there were loads of follicles (25+) but I'm not sure how many of them were big enough to actually feel good about. I don't think I have the heart (or the money) to go through another cycle so I'm really praying that I get at least 15 tomorrow.
Congrats on successfully completing the process...and here's to never having to use them!
Hi, just wanted to say thanks, I'm turning 38 and in the process of deciding whether to become a single mother or freeze my eggs... I've enjoyed reading your diary, and you're right, there isn't enough information out there!
I'm sorry, but I'm not an expert in the medical science.
The only thing I have heard about the technology outside of the US is that vitrification, the technique which allows the successful freezing of unfertilized eggs, was developed in Italy. Apparently, the Catholic church had a problem with people freezing embryos. So, the Italians focused their efforts on trying to freeze unfertilized eggs, so that married couples undergoing IVF could save unused eggs for future pregnancy attempts.
I just found this using google: http://fertilitylabinsider.com/2010/08/egg-freezing/
Dear MBM, thank you very much for sharing your story! It certainly helps to get the feeling for this kind of journey. I'm soon turning 37, in a relationship too long distance and too fresh to have a child yet. Here are my questions: - what are the risks of the procedure? F - In your opinion, is it worth freezing the eggs at 37? I wonder if it's too late and / or 2-3 more years won't make a difference.... Verde (from Europe!)
Each woman is different. You won't know whether it will work until you start the process. Some initial steps you can take are to test your FSH on day 3 of your menstrual cycle. In the US, they sell home tests over-the-counter. Or for a more accurate test, go to a doctor. The FSH test will tell you about your ovarian reserve (egg quantity and quality).
Also, if you menstruate regularly, that likely means you are ovulating, which is good. If you are not menstruating regularly or at all, you could still possibly get enough eggs to freeze, but your chances might be a bit worse.
Personally, I think the difference between age 37 and 39 or 40 is huge. I believe that fertility drops off greatly each year after 35, so 2-3 years might make all the difference. Check out success rates for IVF (http://www.sart.org/find_frm.html) to get an idea of differences in success rates based on age.
As for the risks, you should really ask a doctor, which I am not. However, I do remember them talking about overstimulation of the ovaries, which is rare. And there is always some risk when you are having a surgical procedure. But I didn't have much concern about these personally.
Thank you so much for sharing your egg-freezing journey and congratulations on your engagement :)
I am not entirely sure if you are still active here but I do hope you will come across this message somehow.
My name is Melanie Hoste and I’m a Masters student at Katholiek Universiteit Leuven in Belgium. I’m a student of Social and Cultural Anthropology and am currently studying egg-freezing for my thesis. Because it is still a relatively new biotechnology, there’s little anthropological studies on the matter and as a woman myself, egg-freezing really spoke to me. I’ve looked through your blog and it’s so well-informed and detailed and whilst it does talk about your experience, there is a specific part that I am very interested in hearing your opinion and side on.
What I am particularly interested in is the relationship a woman has with her eggs after freezing them, if any, in comparison to the general narrative of egg-freezing. Would this be something you’d be interested in being a part of and to discuss? I will of course abide by any of your requests if you do decide you’d be interested in partaking this study.
I do hope this will be something you’d like to a part of. If you have any questions or require more information, please do not hesitate to email me at melanieeugenie.hoste@student.kuleuven.be
Thanks for sharing your story. I was wondering if you could post a bit about the process of getting the necessary doctor's referrals or whatever was required to start the procedure.
ReplyDeleteI've found it hard to get a referral to a gynecologist who knows anything about the process, and the local fertility clinic requires extensive tests and prior infertility issues to even get in the door. At one point you mentioned attending an evening information session... how did you hear about it? It seems that in Canada, finding where you can get this done is half the battle.
In my city, you can get some of the cost subsidized, but only if you're entering a program of chemotherapy. That's good, but if I'm healthy and just concerned about my future fertility it doesn't seem to be a priority in our healthcare system, which is too bad. I have to make a choice to spend the money on eggs rather than a down payment on a house, or rent, or whatever.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on the referral part and any trouble you might have had that way.
Thanks!
Hello Sibyl,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your question. I paid for this entirely myself. I believe that in the US, depending on your insurance plan, you might be able to have it partially covered by insurance if you have cancer, but luckily you and I do not.
I did not get a referral. In the US, probably because it is such a profitable business, where prices are not kept down by insurance companies negotiating with the fertility clinics, you can easily get an appointment. You should not require fertility tests because you are not experiencing infertility!
You should try contacting organizations such as Extend Fertility (http://www.extendfertility.com) to try to find fertility clinics near you that do egg freezing. I believe that Extend Fertility is a for-profit company that works with multiple fertility clinics to educate people interested in egg freezing and point them to a local clinic. I'm guessing that they are paid a fee by the clinics, but I don't know that for sure. In fact, I heard about the information session which I attended from them. It was held at a local clinic in NYC. The presentation was given by one of the local fertility doctors.
Finally, yes, it does require a large financial commitment. Each woman has to decide for herself whether it's truly worth it.
I wish you the best of luck. Please let me know if I can be of further help.
MBM
Thanks for posting your story - very helpful in considering options.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteHi there. I so wish I had found this blog 3 weeks ago! I'm going in for my retrieval tomorrow morning at 9:15 am. On my last ultrasound (yesterday -- Monday morning), there were loads of follicles (25+) but I'm not sure how many of them were big enough to actually feel good about. I don't think I have the heart (or the money) to go through another cycle so I'm really praying that I get at least 15 tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on successfully completing the process...and here's to never having to use them!
Hello Vic,
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't see this until this morning. I don't get that many comments, so I only log in once in a while.
It sounds like you were on track for a great cycle! How did it go??? And what city are you in, if I may ask?
XO,
MBM
did your re mention anything about the percentages of abnormal eggs per cycle for 35 year olds?
ReplyDeleteHi Chickachick,
ReplyDeleteNo. Is that something you've discussed with a Reproductive Endocrinologist? (spelling out for others who might not know what you're referring to)
Please share your understanding with us.
Thanks,
MBM
Hi, just wanted to say thanks, I'm turning 38 and in the process of deciding whether to become a single mother or freeze my eggs... I've enjoyed reading your diary, and you're right, there isn't enough information out there!
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Kylie
Hi Kylie,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment!
And best wishes in making the difficult decision.
MBM
Hello MBM!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for sharing!
Does Australia have the best techlogogy of doing this? Would u recommend other Asian cities or countries? I hope to choose the best place...
Thanks again for sharing.
Best
Hello Tokyo,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but I'm not an expert in the medical science.
The only thing I have heard about the technology outside of the US is that vitrification, the technique which allows the successful freezing of unfertilized eggs, was developed in Italy. Apparently, the Catholic church had a problem with people freezing embryos. So, the Italians focused their efforts on trying to freeze unfertilized eggs, so that married couples undergoing IVF could save unused eggs for future pregnancy attempts.
I just found this using google: http://fertilitylabinsider.com/2010/08/egg-freezing/
Best of luck!
MBM
Dear MBM,
ReplyDeletethank you very much for sharing your story! It certainly helps to get the feeling for this kind of journey. I'm soon turning 37, in a relationship too long distance and too fresh to have a child yet. Here are my questions:
- what are the risks of the procedure? F
- In your opinion, is it worth freezing the eggs at 37? I wonder if it's too late and / or 2-3 more years won't make a difference....
Verde (from Europe!)
Hello Verde,
ReplyDeleteEach woman is different. You won't know whether it will work until you start the process. Some initial steps you can take are to test your FSH on day 3 of your menstrual cycle. In the US, they sell home tests over-the-counter. Or for a more accurate test, go to a doctor. The FSH test will tell you about your ovarian reserve (egg quantity and quality).
Also, if you menstruate regularly, that likely means you are ovulating, which is good. If you are not menstruating regularly or at all, you could still possibly get enough eggs to freeze, but your chances might be a bit worse.
Personally, I think the difference between age 37 and 39 or 40 is huge. I believe that fertility drops off greatly each year after 35, so 2-3 years might make all the difference. Check out success rates for IVF (http://www.sart.org/find_frm.html) to get an idea of differences in success rates based on age.
As for the risks, you should really ask a doctor, which I am not. However, I do remember them talking about overstimulation of the ovaries, which is rare. And there is always some risk when you are having a surgical procedure. But I didn't have much concern about these personally.
Best of luck!
MBM
how long does birth control pills period take?
ReplyDeleteHi MBM,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your egg-freezing journey and congratulations on your engagement :)
I am not entirely sure if you are still active here but I do hope you will come across this message somehow.
My name is Melanie Hoste and I’m a Masters student at Katholiek Universiteit Leuven in Belgium. I’m a student of Social and Cultural Anthropology and am currently studying egg-freezing for my thesis. Because it is still a relatively new biotechnology, there’s little anthropological studies on the matter and as a woman myself, egg-freezing really spoke to me. I’ve looked through your blog and it’s so well-informed and detailed and whilst it does talk about your experience, there is a specific part that I am very interested in hearing your opinion and side on.
What I am particularly interested in is the relationship a woman has with her eggs after freezing them, if any, in comparison to the general narrative of egg-freezing. Would this be something you’d be interested in being a part of and to discuss? I will of course abide by any of your requests if you do decide you’d be interested in partaking this study.
I do hope this will be something you’d like to a part of. If you have any questions or require more information, please do not hesitate to email me at melanieeugenie.hoste@student.kuleuven.be
I look forward to hearing from you soon,
Melanie