[Review] Complete Egg Freezing Process: What to Expect from Egg Retrieval to Cryopreservation?

Hello! My name is Dr. Wararat Sirikutta, but you can call me Dr. Mew. I am currently 38 years old and work as a physician at So Meko Clinic, a clinic specializing in cosmetic surgery and dermatology.

I have been married for seven years and am a mother of two daughters. My eldest daughter is four years old, while my youngest is two.

The egg freezing process is simple and straightforward. At Beyond IVF, the procedure consists of seven steps:

Step 1: Consultation with a doctor
Step 2: Preparing for the process with a medical check-up
Step 3: Starting ovarian stimulation
Step 4: Monitoring follicle growth
Step 5: Trigger shot for egg maturation
Step 6: Egg retrieval
Step 7: Post-retrieval care

Start by consulting with Dr. Ton first, discussing the purpose of egg freezing.

Q: Why did you decide to freeze your eggs?
A: I decided to freeze my eggs as a future guarantee. Personally, I don’t have fertility issues and already have two children. However, since I had my children at an older age and I continue to age, I chose to freeze my eggs in case I want to have more children in the future.

Q: At what age should you freeze your eggs?
A woman’s body has a limited number of eggs and a restricted timeframe for fertility. The optimal period for fertility starts from adolescence and extends until around age 35, which is when egg quality is at its highest. After 35, the number of eggs decreases, and hormone efficiency for ovulation also declines. Therefore, the earlier you freeze your eggs, the better their quality and efficiency will be.

The physical examination begins with a blood test to assess hormone levels. While waiting for the results, you will have a consultation with Dr. Ton. Once the blood test results are available, the doctor will inform you about your AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) levels—whether they are high or low. This hormone is crucial in determining the dosage of medication needed for ovarian stimulation.

Next is the internal examination to assess the antral follicle count. This is done using an ultrasound probe inserted vaginally. At first, I felt a bit shy, but before starting the scan, the nurse turned off all the lights, leaving only the glow from the ultrasound screen. This made me feel much more comfortable.

At first, I was really worried that the egg-freezing process would be complicated—that I’d have to deal with all sorts of injections and procedures. But when I actually went through it, I realized there was nothing to worry about at all. The ovarian stimulation injections were super easy and not scary at all. The needles are very small, and I could even administer them myself.

For ovarian stimulation injections, you can administer them yourself at home. However, if you're feeling anxious or unsure, you can also come to the clinic, where the nurses will assist you.

In my case, I had to inject the medication for 10 days. The doctor mentioned that the duration varies for each person, typically ranging from 10 to 14 days, depending on how the eggs respond to the hormones. The dosage of hormones used for stimulation also varies based on each individual's response.

After 7 Days of Stimulation

After completing 7 days of hormone injections, the doctor scheduled an ultrasound to check how many eggs had developed and their current size. I really appreciated this step because some of my friends who had undergone egg freezing elsewhere mentioned that they weren’t monitored this closely—after taking the injections, they were simply given a retrieval date.

At Beyond IVF, however, the process is much more thorough. The doctor carefully monitored my eggs and explained everything in detail—how many eggs I had, their sizes, and which ones had the best chances of maturing properly.

The doctor scheduled two ultrasound monitoring sessions, one on Day 7 and another on Day 10, to assess egg development. One great advantage of these ultrasound check-ups is that the doctor can adjust the hormone dosage if needed, ensuring that I produce the optimal number of eggs with the best possible quality.

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When I went in for the ultrasound to check my egg quality, I was so excited! Lying on the examination bed, I looked at the screen and thought, “Wow! Those are my eggs!”

The doctor was incredibly skilled—once the ultrasound probe was inserted, the eggs were immediately visible. He started counting them one by one: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 follicles!

The doctor explained everything in such detail. Even though I'm a doctor myself, I was still amazed by the process—how he rotated the probe and counted the follicles so precisely. It was fascinating to see how the eggs were monitored and measured!

Today, the eggs have matured and reached the desired stage, so it's time for the trigger shot injection.

The trigger shot is administered 36 hours before the scheduled egg retrieval to ensure the eggs are fully matured and ready for collection.

Egg Retrieval Process

Now, we’ve reached the most important step—the egg retrieval procedure. Before undergoing this step, the doctor provides essential preparation guidelines to ensure a smooth and successful process:

Pre-Egg Retrieval Preparation:

• No food consumption for at least 6 hours before the procedure

• No drinking water for at least 6 hours before the procedure

• No makeup should be worn

• No nail polish

• No perfume

For younger women who are not yet married, egg freezing is a common choice for future IVF or ICSI procedures.

However, in my case, since I am already married and have children, the doctor recommended fertilizing the eggs immediately to form embryos. During the retrieval, a total of 21 eggs were collected. Out of those, 18 eggs were at the MII stage, which is the ideal and mature stage for fertilization.

After the egg retrieval, the doctor came to check on me and asked if I had any symptoms or discomfort. The nurses also took great care of me, monitoring me closely throughout the process.

I was advised to rest for about an hour to allow the effects of the anesthesia to wear off before going home.

Luckily, I didn’t experience any of the side effects that some people have mentioned. I had no bloating or any discomfort at all!

The reason I chose to freeze my eggs and embryos at Beyond IVF was because I did extensive research beforehand to find the best clinic for the procedure. Apart from the cost, two key factors influenced my decision:

1. The expertise and experience of the doctor

2. The quality of the laboratory

Dr. Ton Poonsak came highly recommended by many of my friends who had undergone egg freezing. With over 10 years of experience, he provided exceptional guidance throughout the process. During my consultation, he explained everything in great detail, answering all my questions patiently. He even gave me his contact number in case of emergencies, which made me feel reassured and well taken care of.

Beyond the doctor’s expertise, the quality of the laboratory was just as crucial. Since my eggs and embryos would be stored there, I needed to ensure that the facility was top-notch. Beyond IVF meets international standards, using state-of-the-art equipment comparable to what is used in the U.S.

Personally, I believe that egg retrieval is a delicate procedure that requires precision and experience. The doctor must be highly skilled to carefully navigate the instruments into the uterus and retrieve the eggs without causing damage. This ensures that the eggs remain in good condition, minimizing trauma and reducing recovery time.

These factors made Beyond IVF the best choice for me, and I’m extremely satisfied with my decision!

For those who feel that egg freezing is something distant or unnecessary, I encourage you to take some time to learn more about it. Nowadays, people are getting married later and having children at an older age. Egg freezing acts as a safeguard for your future—similar to having health or life insurance. The younger you are when you freeze your eggs, the better their quality and viability.

Personally, I feel that I started the process a bit late. After turning 35, I realized that if I had the choice, I would have frozen my eggs when I was 25.

If you’re interested or have any questions, you can consult with Dr. Toon Poonsak at Beyond IVF. You can book an appointment via LINE @beyondivf for a free consultation—no charges at all!