Egg Freezing

The first baby born in the UK as a result of treatment using a frozen and thawed egg was in 2002.

At Bridge, we use the very latest vitrification techniques to ensure optimal egg survival followed by ICSI to ensure successful sperm penetration of the zona pellucida of thawed eggs.

After collection, the eggs are carefully washed and prepared in the laboratory before the freezing process (known as ”cryopreservation”). The steps for freezing eggs are similar to those used when freezing embryos. Compared with embryos, eggs are more sensitive to damage from ice crystals. This is why we have chosen to use vitrification, a process which uses a much faster cooling rate and different liquids used to protect the egg during the freezing process. Once completely frozen, the eggs are stored in a secure tank containing liquid nitrogen in a state of ‘suspended animation’ in which the normal processes of biological degradation are halted.

Bridge believes in patient choice and we will freeze eggs for both medical and social reasons.

It is important, whatever your reasons for wishing to freeze your eggs, that you fully understand every aspect of this technique and the issues involved in egg freezing. Detailed Patient Information is available from Admissions.

Who can I talk to about egg freezing?

You are making an important decision and the Bridge team will help you with every step along the way. You can talk to one of our fertility specialists at your assessment or any member of our nursing team – and independent counselling is also available.

Freeze and Share

The Bridge Freeze and Share programme enables women willing to share their eggs in return for fertility preservation to freeze their eggs for future use as an alternative to immediate IVF treatment.

If you are accepted for the programme, you will incur no treatment costs whatsoever and your eggs will be stored for a period of five years. If you would like to know more, ask Admissions for Freeze and Share information.  

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