Have you ever considered freezing your eggs in the UAE?

With the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that now, for the first time, women in their 30s are having more children than those in their 20s, it might be a good time to read up on the options out there for women worried about their fertility.

Dr Diana Kayal, specialist in obstetrics, gynaecology, reproductive medicine and infertility at the Bourn Hall Fertility Centre, Dubai, explains the procedure

Can any woman consider freezing her eggs? 

Egg freezing allows women to save some of their young eggs for later use. Egg freezing was originally used for women who undergo medical treatment, such as cancer chemotherapy or radiation that will cause damage to their ovaries and egg supply. Eggs can be collected and frozen prior to the therapy for use at a later date. Ideally, younger woman have a better chance of getting pregnant using frozen eggs since the quality is better. As women get older, the quantity and quality of the eggs will deteriorate, therefore freezing becomes less beneficial as only a small number of eggs may be obtained in the cycle. For women aged over 40 or those with reduced egg supply, it is worthwhile considering 2-3 cycles of egg freezing, in order to maximise the chance of a successful pregnancy later on.

What is the process involved? 

Egg freezing is a method to store a woman’s unfertilised eggs and takes around 2-3 weeks to complete. The process involves 10-12 days of hormone injections intended to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Once the eggs are mature, they will be retrieved through a procedure called egg collection, which happens under sedation. The eggs collected are immediately cryopreserved using vitrification –a flash freezing technique – by experienced embryologists. These eggs are then safely stored at our facility until they are ready to be used.

What are the legal and ethical considerations about freezing eggs in the UAE?

We treat each case individually, and offer solutions best suited to one’s personal circumstances. The UAE law permits a woman to store her eggs for up to five years. Married women are allowed to freeze their eggs at any age. Unmarried women, however, need permission from the Ministry of Health before they can opt for the procedure. 

The procedure costs Dh20,000–25,000 inclusive of consultation, blood tests and the first year of storage. For more information: bournhall-clinic.ae