We provide egg and embryo freezing services performed by our skilled embryologists in our state-of-the-art lab in Walnut Creek. Our team will assist you in deciding the most suitable approach, taking into account your fertility status and family-building objectives. In the process of embryo freezing, eggs undergo fertilization through IVF before being preserved. Opting to freeze your eggs allows for later thawing and fertilization when you're ready.
Ovarian stimulation and monitoring
Our goal is to do everything possible to encourage the development of good-quality eggs for retrieval. During a 10-14 day period, following your unique treatment plan, you will have self-administered hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries. You will visit our clinic 4-6 times for ultrasound monitoring and blood work that your physician will review to make dose adjustments and ensure an optimal response.
Egg retrieval
On the day of your egg retrieval you will meet with your entire care team, including your physician, anesthesiologist, nurse and embryologist. During this minimally-invasive, same-day procedure your physician will retrieve eggs guided by an ultrasound. The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes with our anesthesiologist ensuring your comfort. You will spend 1-2 hours in our recovery area and then head home.
Egg freezing
Freezing the eggs
Our state-of-the-art lab is staffed by our skilled embryologists. Our embryologist will examine your eggs and determine which eggs are “mature” and most likely to be fertilized by sperm in the future. These mature eggs are frozen using a process called vitrification. When you are ready to use your frozen eggs, they will be thawed and fertilized with sperm to create embryos. Freeze - Thaw media
Embryo Freezing
Making the embryo
Fertilization is performed in our state-of-the-art lab by our expert embryologists in one of two ways: conventional insemination (IVF) or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In IVF a single egg is surrounded by around 50,000 motile (swimming) sperm. With ICSI, the embryologist receives the eggs and selects one healthy sperm for injection directly into a mature egg.
Growing the embryo
At Collab Fertility, we know that the lab environment is critical to successful growth of healthy embryos. That’s why our lab uses the LifeAire® HVAC system, the most advanced air purification system able to eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other contaminants that can impair blastocyst embryo development. We also use independent chamber design incubators to precisely control temperature and gas levels allowing embryos to remain undisturbed as they develop into the blastocyst stage.
Genetic Testing
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) in IVF offers the advantage of selecting genetically healthy embryos, reducing the risk of inherited genetic disorders, and increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy. It also enables gender selection for family balancing or to prevent sex-linked genetic diseases.
Freezing the embryos
Our embryologist will examine your embryos and freeze viable embryos using a process called vitrification. When you are ready to use your frozen embryos, one or more will be thawed and transferred to the uterus.
Personalized treatment plan
We recognize that everyone is different. We work closely with each patient, crafting individualized treatment plans that offer you the best chance of success.
Support and education
Our compassionate and knowledgeable care team will guide you through the entire process. We provide comprehensive orientation and injection classes where you will learn everything you need to know.