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Egg Freezing – What to Expect
The technology of egg freezing is a boon for women today who wish to delay childbearing, due to medical needs or changing priorities or for any other reasons. After IVF, egg freezing is the next biggest technological advancement in the field of fertility medicine. The change from frozen embryos to frozen eggs has now given single women an opportunity to delay motherhood. By freezing their eggs, women can control their fertility and get pregnant at a time of their choosing. This Assisted Reproductive Technology is primarily used as a means to extend fertility by preserving Oocytes for later use (e.g. a woman can get pregnant at 40 using the eggs she had frozen at 30) or to protect fertility when other medical conditions or treatments may affect it adversely (e.g. before chemotherapy or early menopause). The process involves hormonal simulation akin to IVF before retrieving the eggs through a short invasive procedure under sedation. Depending on the patient’s age, the required number of eggs are harvested in one or more cycles and then frozen in the laboratory through a process called vitrification. Eggs frozen in this way can be retained for up to 10 years or more without any loss in the quality of the eggs. When the patient is ready for pregnancy, these frozen eggs are thawed and impregnated with sperm and the embryo is placed in the uterus, similar to IVF. About 2000 babies have been born in this way since 1986, and although more data is scarce to come by, the statistics so far imply that egg freezing has fairly satisfactory outcomes.
What Is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing or egg banking or oocyte cryopreservation (as it is called by doctors) is a new technique in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) whereby the eggs of a woman of child-bearing age are frozen and stored for later use. This is a method to preserve and control the fertility of a woman who for various reasons, may choose to have children at a later period of time.
Is Egg Freezing Safe?
The first baby to be conceived from a frozen egg was born in 1986 and ever since two thousand more babies have come into the world in this way. No apparent increase in the rate of birth defects has been noticed so far (as compared to the general statistics) in babies conceived from frozen eggs. Risks in the process of harvesting eggs for egg freezing are comparable to those from other IVF procedures such as Ovarian stimulation, e.g. infection, bleeding etc.
When Should You Freeze Your Eggs?
The best age to freeze your eggs is in the late twenties and early thirties when you are living your healthiest and most fertile years. Because the fertility (quality) and number (quantity) of eggs harvested decides the success rate of conceiving later. Also, this is usually the age when a woman decides if she wants to delay parenthood and considers options such as egg freezing.
Why Do Women Freeze Their Eggs?
Women may choose to freeze their eggs for a variety of reasons, both medical and social. Primarily, women with conditions requiring fertility-impairing medical treatment opt for egg freezing, in order to preserve their chances of bearing children later on. For e.g. women undergoing cancer treatment (radiation or chemotherapy), those with ovarian disease or undergoing surgery that may affect the ovaries or with a family history of early menopause, can freeze their eggs before starting with the treatment. Nowadays, even healthy women who wish to delay having children for career or relationship reasons are electing to freeze their eggs.
What if Your Age Is Above 38?
Most doctors would agree that the best age to freeze eggs is below 38. In fact, many centres have a cutoff age of 38-40 for freezing eggs. This is because eggs harvested from women under 38 are more fertile and have greater chances of a successful outcome after thawing. Also, the number of eggs can be expected to be harvested before age 38 than in the forties. Once a woman crosses 40, the chances of harvesting enough good quality eggs for egg freezing as well as the chances of getting pregnant are reduced.
How Many Eggs to Store for Achieving Pregnancy?
A woman below 38 normally produces 10-20 eggs per menstrual cycle. The vitrification or thawing rates and egg fertilization rates vary between 75-80%, i.e. out of 10 frozen eggs, 7-8 can be thawed and about 5-6 can be fertilized. Not all fertilized embryos can be implanted, however. Hence, it is recommended to store at least 8-10 eggs for each planned attempt at pregnancy. And it is better to freeze more eggs with increasing age to increase the chances of pregnancy, while also weighing other factors such as cost, etc.
How Long Can You Freeze the Eggs?
Eggs are frozen at temperatures of -190 degrees Celsius in liquid Nitrogen, just as frozen embryos are. It is assumed that storing eggs for longer periods does not affect the quality of the eggs. However, there is no hard evidence on this, as frozen eggs have so far only been stored for a period of up to 4-5 years. Even though theoretically, eggs can be frozen indefinitely and retrieved late, doctors recommend that frozen eggs be used before the woman reaches 45 years of age in order to achieve a successful pregnancy outcome.
How to Prepare?
Egg freezing is a major decision and must be well-thought over. So, it is necessary to first confer with a fertility specialist whether egg freezing is suitable or necessary, based on medical history, age and future plans about having children. Once it has been decided to go in for egg freezing, the doctor will monitor the patient’s fertility and hormone levels as well as follicular growth through ultrasounds and blood tests, as frequently as every two days. These are necessary to ensure that a good number of mature eggs are harvested during the procedure. For the same reason, it is also advisable to follow a healthy lifestyle prior to egg freezing.
Process of Freezing Eggs
The process of freezing eggs typically has three phases – ovarian stimulation, follicular monitoring (and bloodwork) and egg retrieval. The first two phases are similar to IVF, wherein the patient is given hormone injections for 7-10 days to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs and speed up their ripening. During this period, the follicles are monitored through frequent ultrasounds and blood tests. A day prior to the harvesting, the patient is administered a medication that triggers ovulation. The mature eggs are then harvested through a minimally invasive procedure under anaesthesia, which takes less than half an hour. The eggs so retrieved are frozen immediately.
What Happens After the Procedure?
Once the eggs are harvested, they are frozen (cryopreserved or vitrified) for later use. The process of retrieving eggs may have certain side effects such as bloating, infection or bleeding or other side effects related to Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. However, most women return to their normal schedule by the next day after the procedure.
How Does Egg Freezing Work?
Egg freezing involves harvesting mature eggs from a woman after hormonal treatment similar to IVF. Once enough healthy eggs are retrieved, they are frozen through a flash-freezing method called vitrification, in which the eggs are frozen in liquid Nitrogen rapidly at temperatures of -190 degrees Celsius. These cryopreserved eggs are thawed when required and combined with sperm cells and the resulting embryo is implanted into the patient.
Success Rate of Oocyte Cryopreservation
The success rate of developing viable pregnancies from frozen eggs depends on a variety of factors, including the number and quality of eggs harvested, the age of the woman when the eggs were harvested as well as the age of the woman at the time of pregnancy, the freezing technology used etc. In general, a good number of healthy eggs harvested from a younger woman (between 25-35) have a better chance of leading to a pregnancy. However, there is not enough data available yet to confirm the success rates.
Cost of Egg Freezing In India
As it is a new technology in fertility medicine, egg freezing involves considerable costs. It basically includes two types of costs. The cost of the procedure for retrieval of eggs and freezing them is similar to an IVF procedure and may vary between Rs.50,000 to Rs.1 lakh. Once the eggs are frozen, the cost of retaining them in the frozen state is a recurring annual cost and may be anywhere between Rs.15,000 to Rs.30,000 per year.
What are the Potential Risks?
In egg freezing, the ovaries of the woman are stimulated through drugs to produce more eggs. This may sometimes lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, where the ovaries become swollen and painful. This causes other symptoms like vomiting, bloating and sometimes even fatal symptoms like blood clots.
The medical procedure for retrieving the eggs itself carries risks such as bleeding or risks from anaesthesia.
To be able to retrieve enough eggs for freezing, a woman may have to undergo multiple cycles of egg freezing, as a result of which the risks may be multiplied.
At present, data is lacking about the risks of pregnancy from frozen eggs and other social risks.
Few Facts About Egg Freezing
25 to 35 is the best age to freeze your eggs
Pregnancy is not guaranteed with frozen eggs
Most frozen eggs are not used
Same hormone injections are used in this process as in IVF
Egg freezing is currently an expensive affair
Egg freezing is a new-age reproductive technology that allows women to freeze their eggs and use them later to conceive, thus effectively delaying motherhood. Like many other reproductive technologies, egg freezing also has its advantages and disadvantages and is not yet fully understood in all its implications. Any decision on freezing your eggs is best made with the help of a qualified fertility specialist, after taking into consideration the costs, risks and benefits.
Also Read: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for Infertility Treatment Read more
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Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 hours ago
Q. Can I check baby heartbeat in 9th week of pregancy?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
11 hours ago
A. See that can only be monitored with a proper ultrasound or a machine which can check the heartbeat of the child otherwise there is no third way to figure it out further if you need to know more you can get a sonography done with your gynaecologist to have better clarity
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Maawa Pedha
Maawa pedha is an Indian sweet prepared from evaporated milk called maawa or khoa. Milk is reduced to one fourth of its quantity by cooking on a low flame. This reduced milk, maawa, is further simmered on low flame with milk, sugar, cardamom and saffron to give you those luscious pedhas. We reckon, you’ll find it really difficult to keep yourself away from this sweet course dish.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
6 People
5 - 10 Minutes
15 - 20 Minutes
Ingredients
1 cup mawa, crumbled
3 tbsp milk
¼ cup sugar
½ tsp saffron
1 & ½ tbsp ghee
¼ tsp cardamom powder
6 pistachios
Method
Step 1
Add saffron in warm milk and allow it to dissolve.
Step 2
Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan. Add the crumbled mawa and keep stirring it on low flame for about 2 - 3 minutes.
Step 3
Add milk and sugar to mawa. Stir continuously.
Step 4
Add cardamom powder and keep mixing.
Step 5
Mawa will start to thicken and would start leaving the sides of the pan.
Step 6
When it forms a large lump, switch off the flame.
Step 7
Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
Step 8
Grease your hands with ghee or oil and make small balls out of the maawa mix. Slightly flatten the balls to get the perfect shape of pedha or imprint some designs of your choice. You would approximately get about 14 - 15 pedhas.
Step 9
Place a pistachio at the center of each of the pedhas and serve.
Nutritional Information
Calories
144 K cal
Proteins
5.2 g
Fats
7.5 g
Carbohydrates
14.8 g
Cholesterol
24 mg
Sodium
71 mg
Potassium
259 mg
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Being Pressurized About the Sex Of Your Unborn Child
Getting pregnant and waiting for the baby's arrival is a thrilling moment for the mother and family members. But there are a number of familial pressures and myths about baby gender that could mar this happiness. On International Day of the Girl Child, October 11, put your foot down and refuse to bow down to the pressure of having a boy child!
As soon as you get the good news that you are going to be a mom, you start dreaming about holding your little one in your arms. All you want is a healthy baby. But sometimes people around you may not feel the same way. They might be more concerned about the gender of the unborn child.
Dealing With Sex Determination Pressure
In Indian society, the male child is traditionally considered a boon who takes forth the family legacy. In spite of being highly educated, many mothers face family pressure for gender prediction of the unborn baby. But families have gone to the extent of getting an abortion on finding out that it's a girl!
1. Tell them it's illegal
The Indian Government has passed a law and declared sex determination test as a punishable act. If your family doesn't know about this law, educate them.
2. You're the mom
Remember, it is your baby. You don't care whether it's a boy or girl. Why should anyone else matter?
3. Seek outside help
In spite of determining sex of unborn child being a punishable act, lots of moms are pressurised to undergo the test. Is it really important?If things get too tense, don't hesitate to seek help from women's helplines, NGOs or even the police. No one should force you into something you are not prepared for.
Silencing Silly Myths About Baby Gender
Even though scientific sex determination is illegal, there are a number of midwives tales which have given rise to myths that still continue to haunt the mother of the unborn child.
1. My abdominal appearance doesn't prove anything!
The way you carry your baby is said to determine the gender of the child. In case you carry your baby high, it's going to be a girl. If your bump lies low, you are carrying a boy. According to the health experts, the way a mother's abdomen looks completely depends upon her body shape and type. So, there's no way you can predict gender of a child in this manner.
2. Body hair suggests a boy - don't girls have hair?
Have you cited a sudden rise in thIn spite of determining sex of unborn child being a punishable act, lots of moms are pressurised to undergo the test. Is it really important?e growth of body hair? This means you are carrying a male fetus. Well, this is a myth. Doctors explain that though there are hormonal changes during pregnancy, this in no way is influenced by the fetus, and can in no way help you in predicting the gender of your unborn child.
3. Your theory uses the colour of urine, really?
Midwives and grandmas believe that if during pregnancy, your urine appears dull then chances are that your unborn baby is a girl. Bright coloured urine indicates a boy. However, doctors believe that the colour of the urine depends upon the amount of water that the mother consumes.
4. I crave because I am pregnant, duh!
The myth goes that you crave for sweets then you are carrying a male child. In case you crave tangy and sour, it's a female child. But doctors think otherwise, pregnant women can have all sorts of cravings and it isn't linked to the gender of the unborn baby.
Come what may, don't give into family pressures for gender prediction. Your baby is precious and the gender of your child is not going to diminish your love for your little one. Let your bundle of joy bring in a world of happiness to you and your spouse. Don't let inconsequential things like gender prediction mar the joys of this thrilling journey. Read more
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Can your Contraception Method Fail? Find Out Before It's Too Late!
Contraception is a necessary part of a woman's life when she's looking to plan a family or maintain a healthy space between children. However, contraception methods are not fool-proof and may secretly fail! This World Contraception Day 2015 on Sept 26, educate yourself about the failure rate of contraceptive methods so you can be careful and better prepared for parenthood.
Guess what's the best contraception method ever? Abstinence! Beyond this, every method, from the pill to condoms to the IUD, has a possibility of failure. The likelihood, though, varies from method to method and also depends on whether you are using it perfectly or not.
The Likelihood of Contraception Failure
1. Birth Control Pills
These combinations of estrogen and progestin are the hormonal route to birth control and also among the contraceptive methods least likely to fail. Studies fix the failure rate at 0.3 to 8 percent depending on whether you keep to schedule. However, prolonged use of the pill has been reported to cause health problems such as weight gain!
2. Condoms
The male condom is fairly effective as a contraception method – with the typical use failure rate standing at around 12%. This goes down further if the use is closer to “perfect” use i.e. checking for rips/tears, proper insertion and use of a good quality product. The failure rate of the female condom (an unpopular idea) is considerably higher.
3. Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)
The IUD is a “T” shaped device surgically placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It is a highly effective birth control method with a typical use failure rate of only around 0.8%. This is however a more expensive method and needs medical intervention.
4. Spermicide
Another birth control option is to use a sperm-killing foam or gel to be placed in the vagina before intercourse. They are often used together with a male condom or diaphragm. The failure rate is on the higher side and often fixed at around 28%.
5. Diaphragm
Yet another birth control option, this is a flexible latex cup that sits over the cervix. Studies put its failure rate in the 6 – 16 percent range, depending on proper insertion and use.
6. Ovulation Charting
Many women just keep tabs on their fertile period in the month and abstain from intercourse at that time. However, this method is effective only with women who have a regular menstrual cycle and its failure rate can even then be as high as 24%. After all, out bodies change every month and nothing really is clockwork!
7. Withdrawal or “Pull Out”
This is an old but unreliable method for birth control which involves the man pulling out of the vagina before ejaculation. However, there still is a high chance of pregnancy if the couple fails to exercise self-control or even from pre-ejaculation fluid. The failure rate for an average scenario is around 27%.
Now that you know the failure rates of various contraceptive means, stay alert and consult with your OB/GYN from time to time. Becoming a mother is a challenging if beautiful experience and you want to be well prepared for it! Read more
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Father of a 6 yr 4 m old child
14 hours ago
Q. my son is now 7 yrs and and last 3 three days ,he is complaining that he had bad and negative thoughts and this is too hilarious that.
we r too worried ,pls suggest 🙏
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
14 hours ago
A. it is quite natural small babies will be having different moods different types of behaviour please continue to interact the baby engage activities like drawing painting even clay sculpture o k
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. Hi this is pooja I am 6 weeks 3 days pregnant n m 31 yrs old my doctor prescribed me this interjection called choriotec 5000 once a week for a month .. I have already took two times but now my lil scared so can u pls tell me anyone here is it safe to take more ??? It’s not harmful nah ??? Pls ans dr
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
12 hours ago
A. Your doctor must have given it to you for a particular reason so I’m just going to advise you to follow what she says yet if you have a doubt or you’re scared about anything then why don’t you just prospect with your Dr as to what what purpose are you taking this and what is meant to be done in case you do not take the injection or you do not want to take
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
9 hours ago
Q. Mam last perioda mujhe 10 april ko aye the aur aj mene pregnancy test kiya hai to 1 line light ayi h to mujhe kya krna chahiye
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. beta HCG test kare ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
7 hours ago
Q. can I eat egg daily?
now I am in 1st trimester
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. yes you can eat egg daily even in first trimester. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts
Which are the safe sites to hire japas in New Delhi (EDD July)
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. you can always ask questions related to the health of child and mother in this section and it can bez either related to diet or food or vaccination or any type of medicine goingz on and given by your doctor.
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