EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — When it comes to children, the pandemic has caused some people to pause and consider their future. One of the outcomes is that more women are freezing their eggs. When it comes to pregnancy, egg freezing gives women and families more options.”Egg freezing is an option to consider where we can carefully grow eggs that you’ve saved, preserve them at a younger age, and potentially have them as an option if you were to need them in the future when you’re ready to build your family,” said Dr. Hanh Cottrell of IVF Michigan Fertility Center.
“The pandemic has given many of us the opportunity to pause and consider our current and future goals. And there was some skepticism about COVID and pregnancy at first.”She believes that if you have the option, freezing eggs in your late twenties and early thirties is always preferable.”We’re seeing an increase in the number of people seeking information during that time period. However, there are some people who are just starting out in life.”In 2018, 31 cycles were initiated at IVF Michigan Fertility Center with the intention of freezing eggs for fertility preservation.
In 2019, that number increased to 32, and in 2020, it increased to 37.”Last year, we did close to 60 or more, so our numbers have also more than doubled. As a result, there is clearly a growing interest. Another factor contributing to the growing interest is that an increasing number of employers are offering egg freezing benefits to new employees. As a result, there is a growing interest in this as well “Cottrell stated.
Prior to the pandemic, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology reported that egg freezing was on the rise.”We are not yet in the year 2020. However, according to national statistics, there were over 16,000 egg freezing cycles in 2019, compared to 13,000 in 2018. In 2017, there were 9,000. So we’re almost at a doubling here over a three-year period “Cottrell explained.
According to Cottrell, there is no time limit on how long your eggs can be frozen. She claims they can be frozen indefinitely.”It’s a bit of a balancing act,” Cottrell explained. “There is a possibility that you will not require these eggs if you find the right partner. You are capable of conceiving on your own. However, the benefit of freezing eggs is that you have them on hand in case you need them.”
