9 Ways To Prepare For Egg Freezing
In today’s blog post, I’m giving you some real and practical ways to get yourself ready for egg freezing.
From diet tips to seeking support from your loved ones, I think this list will prepare you for the process ahead.
I am deeply passionate about sharing egg freezing resources with women who want to preserve their fertility. Be sure to check out my other posts about egg freezing.
1. Supplements and vitamins
It’s not a bad idea to consider adding some supplements and vitamins to your routine if you are considering freezing your eggs.
I’m talking about nutrients like folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D,
zinc, selenium, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids. These are super important for reproductive health and can really help your eggs stay healthy and happy during the process.
One supplement to keep in mind is CoEnzyme Q-10 (the active form is called Ubiquinol), which has been shown to boost energy in ovarian cells and possibly improve the production of high-quality eggs.
If you’re curious to learn more about how these supplements can benefit your ovarian function and egg retrieval prep, check out this article from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
I highly recommend people read “Everything Egg Freezing: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide to Doing It Right” by Brittany Hawkins and Catherine Hendy. You can find the book at your library or Amazon. It covers the egg freezing process but also has good information on things like fertility tea and supplements.
2. Clear your travel schedule and look at your commitments
Can you attend weddings and events while you’re egg freezing? Yes, of course. Can you fly to Portugal for a week while your egg freezing? No.
Egg freezing requires a short time commitment. There are dedicated monitoring appointments that happen near daily (in the mornings) and you don’t want to delay or create roadblocks by having potential scheduling conflicts.
I had my consultation in January, my testing in February, and started the hormonal injections in March. I could’ve started any time, but I wanted to do it at the beginning of Spring because I knew I didn’t have any travel or trips scheduled.
Look at your work and social schedule and start the process when it is best for you. If you’re an accountant, tax season probably isn’t the ideal time to do this lol.
Remember, the entire process does go by quickly!
3. Foods/diet
In a fertility diet, it’s important to include plenty of vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, and bell peppers, as well as fruits like berries, oranges, and apples.
Beans and lentils are great sources of plant-based protein, while whole grains like quinoa and brown rice provide fiber and essential nutrients. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods like salmon, chia seeds, and walnuts, can also support fertility.
It is recommended to avoid red meat and sugary drinks, as they can hurt fertility. I would also begin to cut back on highly saturated processed foods.
Consider following a Mediterranean diet, which includes lots of fresh produce, whole grains, and healthy fats from sources like olive oil and nuts.
This type of diet has been linked to improved fertility and can be especially beneficial when preparing for egg retrieval.
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Mediterranean diet has been associated with a lower risk of infertility and can support reproductive health.
4. BMI and exercise
BMI can have a significant impact on a woman’s fertility during IVF and egg freezing.
Research has shown that women with a higher BMI may have reduced fertility rates and lower success rates with IVF and egg freezing procedures. This is because excess weight can lead to hormonal imbalances and irregular menstrual cycles.
To improve fertility outcomes, it’s important for women to maintain a healthy BMI, and one way to do this is through regular exercise. Incorporating consistent movement into your routine can help manage weight, improve hormone balance, and promote your overall well-being.
BMI is not by any means a perfect measure of health. So talk to your doctor more about this.
5. Fertility acupuncture
Fertility acupuncture is a more holistic approach to improving fertility. There’s no hard evidence this helps increase fertility but it can complement fertility treatments.
Acupuncture can help reduce stress, which is a known factor that can affect fertility, and it can also help regulate the menstrual cycle and improve blood flow to the reproductive organs. This can create a more optimal environment for conceiving and carrying a pregnancy.
Acupuncture can improve egg freezing outcomes by helping to relax the uterus and increase blood flow to the ovaries, which could potentially lead to better egg quality and a thicker uterine lining.
The process of fertility acupuncture involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body, and the frequency of treatments can vary depending on individual needs. It’s commonly recommended to have weekly acupuncture treatments leading up to an IVF or egg freezing cycle.
Some common acupuncture points for fertility include points on the lower abdomen, lower back, and legs.
6. Decide whether to tell family or friends
I chose to tell my mom, grandma, about five friends, and a women’s mentoring group I was in that I was freezing my eggs.
Deciding whether to inform family or friends about choosing to freeze your eggs involves careful consideration of potential benefits and drawbacks.
Sharing this information with family can provide emotional support and understanding. However, it may also lead to added pressure or unwanted opinions from family members.
On the other hand, confiding in friends may offer a strong support system and a more unbiased perspective. However, it could potentially result in gossip or discomfort within your friendship dynamic.
Consider the specific relationship you have with each person. Family members may have a more vested interest in your fertility journey and future family planning, while friends may offer a more impartial perspective.
Ultimately, the decision to inform family or friends about freezing your eggs is a personal one.
For me, a couple of my friends sent me UberEats gift cards which I was so THANKFUL for because after my egg retrieval, the last thing I wanted to do was cook.
(You will need to tell someone because you’ll need a ride to and from your egg retrieval procedure.)
7. Stop smoking and vaping
Kick the smoking and vaping habit, ASAP.
Not only can smoking mess with your fertility, but it can also really hurt the egg freezing process.
Smoking can mess with your hormone levels, damage your eggs, and even speed up the aging of your ovaries. Plus, it can make it harder for your body to respond to the fertility medications you’ll need for the egg freezing process.
It can lead to poor egg quality, lower success rates, and even increase the chances of miscarriage if you do decide to use your frozen eggs down the line.
Do yourself a favor and put the cigarettes and vapes down.
Related Post: Does egg freezing make you gain weight?
8. Gather insurance contacts and understand financing options
Give your health insurance provider a call and ask about coverage for egg freezing, including any preliminary testing that may be necessary. It’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered, and if there are any specific requirements or restrictions.
More and more states and companies are beginning to cover the cost of fertility treatments. My job paid for 90% of my egg freezing costs. It never hurts to ask.
If your insurance doesn’t provide coverage, look into financing options.
Start by researching what your selected clinic offers in terms of financing, but don’t stop there. Look into other potential resources that could help cover the cost of the procedure, such as specialized loans and grants. Also, see if there’s a payment plan available through your clinic (there usually is).
9. Preparing mentally
It took me two years to finally decide to freeze my eggs.
Emotionally egg freezing can be challenging for some women. Practice meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, journaling, or talk to a counselor to work through any anxiety you may have about the process.
Be gentle with yourself. This is a big and beautiful decision you are making for yourself. You want to be in the right, calm headspace before you start.
Thank you for reading my post in my egg freezing series. Feel free to message me anytime on IG if you have any questions.
