S10 Ep 10 Everything you need to know about Egg freezing
Dec 4, 2023
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Dr John Kennedy, an O&G doctor specializing in fertility medicine, joins Dr Hazel to discuss reasons for egg freezing, the best age to do it, benefits of freezing embryos, success rates, costs, and the practical process. They also emphasize the importance of considering egg freezing at a younger age and discuss the accessibility and affordability of the procedure.
Freezing eggs at a younger age increases the likelihood of preserving fertility options for the future.
AMH testing is important for assessing ovarian reserve, but should not be the sole indicator for fertility potential.
Deep dives
Overview of Egg Freezing and Personal Experience
In this podcast episode, Dr. Hazel shares her personal experience with egg freezing and highlights the emotional and physical challenges she encountered throughout the process. She emphasizes the importance of being informed about the procedure and its potential outcomes. Dr. John Kennedy, an expert in fertility medicine, joins the conversation and discusses the significance of age in egg freezing. He explains that freezing eggs at a younger age increases the likelihood of preserving fertility options for the future.
The Role of AMH Testing in Egg Freezing
Dr. Kennedy highlights the importance of AMH testing as a screening tool for assessing ovarian reserve. He clarifies that AMH levels indicate the quantity, not the quality, of eggs. However, he cautions against solely relying on AMH results. Dr. Kennedy advocates for fertility testing in one's 20s to empower individuals with knowledge about their reproductive potential. He also acknowledges the improvements needed in educating and reducing panic around AMH testing.
Considerations and Challenges of Egg Freezing
The podcast delves into the factors influencing the decision to freeze eggs and the common reasons why individuals choose this option. Dr. Kennedy underscores the importance of having clear intentions and considering one's desire for future relationships and family planning. He discusses the success rates associated with different age groups and stresses the realistic expectations and potential challenges of egg freezing, including the financial, physical, and emotional aspects.
Logistics and Costs of Egg Freezing
Practical aspects of the egg freezing process are explored, including the timeline from consultation to recovery. Dr. Kennedy provides insights into the recovery period, advising one to take a few days off work and gradually resume exercise after a few days. The cost of egg freezing is discussed, with an average range mentioned, along with the availability of reimbursement through insurance and government schemes, including the DPS card in Ireland.
In this episode Dr Hazel is joined by Dr John Kennedy, an O&G doctor who qualified from University College Dublin in 2000.
He has been working exclusively in fertility medicine since 2013 and is the clinical lead at Thérapie Fertility Clinic, with his expert team who have helped intended parents in Ireland to build their families
This episode covers:
Reasons someone might freeze their eggs
What is the best age to do it and is there an age cut off?
Benefits of freezing embryos over eggs?
Success rates with egg freezing
Cost of egg freezing
What practically happens (stimulation med’s and collection day)
Should you check you AMH if you’re considering egg freezing?