Freezing Eggs and Fertility Preservation on Steve Havey
Freezing Eggs and Fertility Preservation
Dr. Aimee Browne, Director of 3rd Party Reproduction, appeared on the Steve Harvey show on 12/6/13 to discuss the topic of egg freezing and fertility preservation. Fertility preservation has become a prevailing topic in news and prime
time media with celebrities like Sofia Vergara, Kim Kardashian, Janet Jackson, and Jennifer Anniston freezing their eggs. Additionally, more women are choosing to freeze their eggs in their 20s and 30s to pursue careers or find Mr. Right.
Egg Freezing: Frequently Asked Questions
Whats the procedure?
"You take hormone injections daily for 8-12 days. After that, the eggs grow & we monitor them with ultrasounds and blood tests. When the eggs are ready, you’re put under light anesthesia, so you feel no pain. Then, we use a needle that goes through the vaginal wall into the ovaries. Then, we remove the eggs and flash-freeze them. They’re kept frozen until you’re ready for a child. Then we add sperm and do in vitro."
What side effects can I expect?
" Only some people experience side effects. The hormones may cause some weight gain but it’s minimal."Freezing Eggs
And the Costs?
"It can cost $8,000 – $12,000 depending on the clinic. Storage fees can be around $500 per year."
When should I consider freezing my eggs?
"You’re born with 1 million eggs. By age 20 you have 100,000. At age 30 (you have) 50,000. By 40 only 10,000. With 30 year-old eggs, you have a 50% chance of pregnancy. By 38, you have a 35% chance, and by 41 it’s 21%. But it’s different for everyone. Go to your provider to find out how healthy your eggs are now."
Aimee Schickedanz Browne, MD, MSc, joined RMA of Texas in August of 2011. Originally from Illinois, Dr. Browne moved to Texas from Atlanta where she was most recently an assistant professor in the division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Emory University. Dr. Browne received her Bachelor of Arts and Medical Degree at University of Missouri-Kansas City. Motivated by her interest in reproductive medicine, Dr. Browne completed her four year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Emory University. During fellowship, she received excellent clinical training in in vitro fertilization, minimally invasive surgery, and endocrine disorders. Dr. Browne has published several book chapters and co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles on topics including in vitro fertilization, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, predictors of ovarian reserve, and endometriosis.
