What’s the time commitment involved in an egg freezing cycle? Here’s an egg freezing day to day breakdown of what to expect from start to finish.
The process begins with medication in the form of injections (sorry!). Don’t worry, the needles are very thin and only go into the subcutaneous tissue (the fat), not the muscle. These injections start either with the onset of your period or can be timed using other methods such as the birth control pill. The injections last for approximately 9-12 days. During this time, you may have 4-6 visits to monitor your progress. These appointments will include ultrasounds and blood work to assess how many follicles are growing, their size, and when you’ll be ready for egg retrieval.
The exact date for egg retrieval is not determined until your follicles reach the appropriate size, which varies from person to person. Therefore, you won’t know the exact date of your procedure until closer to the time.
On the day of the procedure, if you are working, you are advised to take the entire day off (even if you work from home). You should arrive at the surgery center about an hour before your scheduled procedure time to change, get your IV, and complete any necessary preoperative preparations. The procedure itself takes 15-20 minutes, and you will recover in the post-op area for approximately 30-45 minutes before going home. Most patients experience minimal pain, and any minor discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter Tylenol. Some may experience moderate bloating and fullness for a few days, possibly accompanied by constipation, but these symptoms are typically self-limited and resolve within a week.
In summary, the process involves about two weeks of active effort with frequent appointments, culminating in an outpatient procedure. Afterward, you may have mild symptoms for about a week, after which you’ll return to your normal routine.
To learn more about the process can fit into your personal timeline, schedule a consultation to learn more and map out when it might work best in your own busy schedule.
