Skilled and credible fertility preservation.
Let time work for you. Our capable centers have mastered the art of egg, sperm, and embryo freezing—to empower you with options.
Fertility preservation—explained
Cryopreservation of eggs, sperm, or embryos can help patients maintain reproductive options. Our centers adhere to the highest quality standards of freezing, and we aim to provide peace of mind.
All of our patients receive treatments for their unique needs, and for reference, here is an overview of cryopreservation options:
EGG FREEZING
Also known as oocyte cryopreservation, egg freezing can be an effective method for family planning. With egg freezing, a patient will often undergo ovulation stimulation, ultrasound monitoring, and egg retrieval. Once retrieved, we will freeze the eggs until the patient is ready to utilize them in an IVF cycle.
SPERM FREEZING
This service involves the storage of sperm for future reproductive purposes. Sperm cryopreservation can be a compelling option for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, and couples undergoing IVF might freeze sperm as a backup for their cycle.
EMBRYO CRYOPRESERVATION
Embryo freezing can be a compelling option for patients, depending on their goals. Instead of freezing eggs or sperm separately, one of our embryologists will fertilize mature eggs with sperm to create embryos. Once the embryo has reached the blastocyst stage, the highest quality embryos are frozen. They will remain frozen until the patient chooses to use them.
At Ivy Fertility, we provide our patients with options. No matter the immediacy, cryopreservation can give you the power of choice—now or in the distant future.
"Words will never be enough to fully express our deep gratitude for what you have done for us."
—Jordan and Nick, patients of Utah Fertility Center
Fertility preservation—answered
Our centers welcome questions from prospective and current patients. We believe education is empowerment. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about fertility preservation:
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“Every patient is different, and the best decision for you may be different for someone else. With the right lab and partner in your care, the success rates between egg and embryo freezing are very similar. Your center will walk through the details of each option to help you make the right choice for you.”
- Julie Lamb, MD, FACOG of Pacific NW Fertility
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“The egg freezing process aligns with your cycle, and generally takes about a month. We’ll begin with an initial consultation to understand your goals and, after, conduct fertility testing. We’ll mutually decide on a treatment timeline and be a resource while you take your stimulation medication for 10-12 days until the egg retrieval itself. Following the retrieval, the eggs will be frozen and stored until ready to use.”
- Carrie Wambach, MD of Reproductive Partners Medical Group
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“Absolutely. We can fertilize the eggs with donor sperm to create embryos. Embryos which have progressed to the blastocyst stage can be cryopreserved and remain frozen until you elect to use them to create a pregnancy. We can also freeze the unfertilized eggs and thaw them later, at a time of your choosing, and fertilize them with donor sperm at that time."
- Sandy S. Chuan, MD at San Diego Fertility Center
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“Any fertility preservation cycle may increase future family building options, but working with high-quality fertility partners gives you the highest chance for future success. Not all eggs, sperm, and embryos are viable when thawed, and it’s critical to work with a lab and center with a proven track record. The quality of a center will be evident in their sart.org statistics and we encourage our patients to review our high success rates.”
- Shawn E. Gurtcheff, MD, MS of Utah Fertility Center
Preserve your options
Contact the nearest center to explore the best options for egg, sperm, or embryo freezing.
"They are an awesome group of people who really know what they are doing."
—N., patient of Nevada Center for Reproductive Medicine