Egg freezing

At Maigaard, we offer women the opportunity to store their higher-quality eggs now, to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy later.

What is egg freezing?

More and more women today are choosing to freeze their eggs. This popular procedure can be completed in as little as two weeks and can be done without impacting on your day-to-day life.

Egg freezing involves the extraction and freezing of your eggs, which can then be thawed, fertilised, and implanted in the uterus during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) at a later date. In Denmark, you will soon be able to store your eggs until you reach the age of 46.

Egg freezing does not reduce your future fertility. You will continue to produce eggs after the procedure and be able to fall pregnant naturally.

Egg freezing: The 7-step process

Step 1: Hormone Stimulation
For a period of approximately 2 weeks you will administer a tailored dose of fertility medication. This will stimulate the ovaries to grow multiple mature eggs instead of the usual single egg that is released each month. The extra eggs mature from a pool of excess monthly eggs which means you don’t loose any eggs in the process.

Step 2: Monitoring
We will monitor you closely during this phase using ultrasound scans (1-3 visits). These scans help us determine the optimal time for egg retrieval.

Step 3: Egg Retrieval
Once the ovarian follicles are big enough, the eggs are retrieved during a minor medical procedure. You are able to go home after a few hours.

Step 4: Laboratory work
The collected eggs are identified, evaluated, and prepared for freezing. Then, they are rapidly frozen using a technique called vitrification and stored at -196ºC.

Step 5: Storage
Once the eggs are vitrified, they can be stored and used whenever you need them. They are carefully labelled in micro containers and tracked to ensure they can be easily identified and retrieved when and if needed.

Step 6: Thawing and fertilisation
When you decide to use the frozen eggs, they are carefully thawed in the laboratory and we then fertilise them with your partner’s sperm or with donor sperm, at your election.

Step 7: Embryo transfer
Once viable embryos develop, they are typically grown in the laboratory and one of them is then transferred into your uterus during an IVF procedure. The embryos that are not used can be frozen for future use.

Egg freezing success rates

It's important to remember that not every egg retrieved will result in an embryo. The amount of eggs retrieved will decrease in number as they go through the thawing, fertilisation and embryo growth phases.

Consider the following recommendations* for the number of eggs you should aim to freeze based on your age:

If you're under 35, you should freeze 20 mature eggs for an 85% chance of having at least one child.
If you're between 38 to 40, you should freeze 30 mature eggs for a 75% chance of having at least one child.
If you're between 40 to 42, you should freeze 30 mature eggs for a 50% chance of having at least one child.
How many eggs can be retrieved in one cycle?

The number of eggs retrieved from each cycle depends entirely on the specific physiological response of each person and can vary significantly. Our doctors will be able to best guide you based on your specific case.

Why choose us?

Uniquely tailored plans
We go the extra mile to design highly individualised fertility plans based on your unique needs and circumstances.

Wide range of services
We offer a full set of services, allowing us to accompany you on the entire journey towards parenthood.

Transparency
We prioritise transparency by providing clear, upfront pricing

Best-in-class fertility technology
Maigaard stands at the forefront of fertility technology in Denmark, pioneering innovations that have reshaped the field.

Decades of experience
For over twenty-five years, we’ve helped thousands worldwide achieve their family goals.

Pricing

At Maigaard, we offer clear, transparent and affordable egg freezing packages as we believe fertility preservation should be made accessible to all women.

1 cycle + 1 year storage DKK 20,000

1 cycle + 5 year storage DKK 30,000

Each incremental storage year costs DKK 2,750. The packages above are exclusive of the cost of medication.

FAQS

How long can my eggs be frozen?

Will I still have eggs left in the future if I don't undergo egg freezing?

The number and quality of your eggs decrease naturally as you age. By the time you reach your late 30s and 40s, fertility typically declines significantly. However, it's essential to remember that fertility varies among people, and there are no guarantees.
Without egg freezing, your fertility potential will be subject to the natural ageing process, which may result in a reduced chance of conceiving as you get older.

Is the process very painful?

Egg freezing generally involves manageable discomfort rather than pain. The process consists of ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and freezing. During ovarian stimulation, hormone injections can lead to temporary pelvic discomfort, bloating, and mood swings. Egg retrieval is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anaesthesia, causing brief post-procedural discomfort, including mild cramping or pelvic pressure. Recovery typically takes one to two days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Severe side effects, like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occur in less than 1% of the cases and can be controlled with a proper management of the process. Talk to our fertility specialists about what to expect during the treatment phases.

Could my eggs be stolen?

What happens to my eggs if I don't end up using them?

Will I have any eggs left after egg freezing?

Yes, after egg freezing, you will still have eggs left in your ovaries. The process of egg collection does not leave you with fewer eggs than after a natural cycle, it actually mimics a natural cycle. Egg freezing involves harvesting a portion of your eggs for future use, preserving them at a specific point in time. The number of eggs remaining post-procedure depends on factors like your ovarian reserve, response to stimulation, age, and overall health. Your natural egg supply continues to decline with age, and the quality may diminish, affecting fertility. Egg freezing allows you to preserve a subset of eggs to potentially improve your chances of conception in the future, especially if age-related fertility declines become a concern. However, it doesn't deplete your entire egg reserve.

Is there a chance my eggs could be accidentally given to someone else?

Are there any side effects to the medication I take?

Medications used for egg freezing may have side effects. These can include mild abdominal discomfort, bloating, and, rarely (less than 1% of the cases), ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS - this can lead to hospitalisation if not treated and prevented properly). Hormonal changes may lead to mood swings, breast tenderness, and fatigue. Self-administered injections can cause injection site reactions. These side effects vary among individuals, and your fertility specialist will monitor your response to minimise risks. While side effects can be uncomfortable, they are generally manageable, and the potential benefits of egg freezing, preserving fertility options, often outweigh these temporary discomforts. It's crucial to discuss any concerns with your specialist before starting treatment and it is also very important to signal any unattended effects to our medical and nursing teams

Egg Freezing