Egg Freezing
IVF & ART

Egg Freezing
Preparation Guide

The 90 days before retrieval are the most important window for oocyte quality. This guide covers what the survival statistics actually mean, how to prepare, and what to ask your clinic.

Understand the Numbers →
90 days
preparation window for oocyte quality
85–95%
egg survival rate with modern vitrification
CoQ10
most studied supplement for oocyte quality
MII
only mature eggs can be frozen — maturity rate matters

What Happens to Your Eggs

Understanding the attrition funnel from retrieval to live birth.

Eggs retrieved
100%
Starting point
Mature (MII) eggs
75–85%
Only mature eggs can be frozen
Survive thaw (vitrification)
85–95%
Modern vitrification has excellent survival rates
Fertilise (ICSI)
70–80%
Of survived eggs
Develop to blastocyst
40–60%
Of fertilised eggs
Euploid (chromosomally normal)
40–70%
Age-dependent — higher at younger ages
Implant per transfer
40–60%
Of euploid blastocysts transferred

Preparation Principles

The 90-Day Window

The eggs that will be retrieved in your freeze cycle are currently in their final 90-day maturation phase. This is the window where nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle have the greatest impact on oocyte quality — specifically mitochondrial function, antioxidant protection, and chromosomal integrity.

Stimulation Response Factors

Your response to gonadotrophin stimulation (how many eggs are retrieved) is primarily determined by ovarian reserve (AMH and AFC). However, the quality of those eggs — and therefore their survival, fertilisation, and blastocyst development rates — is significantly influenced by the 90-day preparation window.

Age & Egg Quality

Egg quality declines with age primarily due to increasing rates of chromosomal errors (aneuploidy) caused by mitochondrial dysfunction during meiosis. CoQ10 supplementation directly supports mitochondrial ATP production in oocytes and is the most studied intervention for improving egg quality regardless of age.

Supplement Protocol

Discuss all supplements with your specialist before starting.

CoQ10 (ubiquinol)
600 mg/day
Supports mitochondrial ATP production during meiosis; reduces aneuploidy risk; begin 90 days before retrieval
Melatonin
3 mg at night
Antioxidant within follicular fluid; protects oocytes from reactive oxygen species during final maturation
Vitamin D3
Target 100–150 nmol/L
Vitamin D receptors on granulosa cells regulate follicular development and oocyte maturation
Omega-3 (DHA/EPA)
2 g/day
Reduces follicular fluid inflammatory markers; supports oocyte membrane integrity
Active folate (methylfolate)
800 mcg–1 mg/day
Required for DNA methylation and chromosomal integrity during oocyte maturation
DHEA
25–50 mg/day (practitioner-guided)
Supports androgen environment for follicular development; particularly beneficial for low responders
Your Action Plan

Egg Freezing Checklist

0/19 completed

90 Days Before Retrieval

Start CoQ10 (ubiquinol) 600 mg/day
Check Vitamin D — supplement to 100–150 nmol/L
Start omega-3 DHA/EPA 2 g/day
Add melatonin 3 mg at night
Confirm active folate (methylfolate) in prenatal supplement
Eliminate alcohol completely
Prioritise sleep 7–9 hours — melatonin production peaks during sleep

During Stimulation

Maintain hydration 2.5–3 L/day — reduces OHSS risk
Eat high protein 80–100 g/day — OHSS prevention
Avoid high-intensity exercise from stimulation start
Continue all supplements until egg retrieval day
Attend all monitoring appointments — don't miss scans
Know your OHSS risk factors — discuss with your doctor

After Retrieval

Rest for 24–48 hours post-retrieval
Maintain high protein and fluid intake for 72 hours
Watch for OHSS symptoms: bloating, pain, nausea, reduced urination
Ask for your fertilisation report (if doing fresh IVF) or freeze confirmation
Ask: how many mature eggs were frozen? What was the maturity rate?
Plan your next steps — discuss with your specialist when to use the eggs
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