Category Archives: Fertility

Donor Eggs May Be the Only Viable Option for Aging Women

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Egg Freezing is similar to “fertility life insurance” where it will provide peace of mind for a woman who wishes to delay childbearing. Make the choice to preserve your fertility by freezing your eggs.
 
The graph below shows that a successful live birth is dependent on the age of the eggs used, not on the age of the mother. Women in their 40s can achieve the same pregnancy success as 25 year olds if they use donor eggs that are provided by younger women—or their own younger, preserved eggs through the process of egg freezing.
 
Successful live birth is dependent on age of the eggs, egg freezing, eggfreezing.com
 
Read a heartfelt quote from our valued patient who used frozen donor eggs.
 
Dear Dr. Diaz and wonderful staff,
 
As I sit here in our nursery watching our two little angels sleep, I am overwhelmed by the collective effort that it took for them to be here. When we first arrived in your office, on a co-workers’ referral, we were hopeful but skeptical. Soon after, we were overwhelmed by the fact that I would not be able to conceive a child on my own. Frozen egg donation was not something we ever considered, but as our only option we decided to give it a try.
 
We are so glad that we took the leap of faith and moved forward with the transfer. During every step of the way, the staff was there for us with encouraging words and great advice. They became our other family.
 
The journey was not easy, but worth every minute. We were so lucky to have been blessed with two miracles on our first try. Now, eight months later, they sleep soundly in their crib as a testament to not only science, but the power of the collective love we felt throughout our journey.
 
We are proud to have birth baby number 50 from your frozen egg bank. Congratulations on creating miracles and changing lives every single day. We miss you all and look forward to a return once we recover from the lost sleep of having twins.
 
Always,
A & L
 

Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor if You’re Considering Egg Freezing

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While many facilities claim they can freeze eggs, few clinics have ever thawed any frozen eggs and only a handful has ever achieved a live birth from frozen eggs. It is pertinent to ask the following questions to your physician if he/she proposes egg freezing to you.

Ask the Following Key Questions:
1. What is the Survival Rate when frozen eggs are thawed?

(91% at West Coast Fertility)

2. How many Live Births have been reported at the center?

(62 at West Coast Fertility)

3. How many Eggs are Thawed per Attempt to produce a pregnancy?

(6 at West Coast Fertility) 

4. What is the Cost of the Egg Freezing Procedure?

(Contact West Coast Fertility 714-513-1399)

Egg Freezing Specialist, Dr. David Diaz and his Team are among the world's foremost authorities in the Science of Egg Freezing. Their efforts have yielded the birth of more than 10% of all the children in the world born from Frozen Eggs.

What Every Woman Should Know Before Egg Freezing

The Experience of the IVF Center performing the egg freezing is critical to success. While egg freezing is a delicate and highly specialized assisted reproductive technology (ART), the handling and thawing of frozen eggs is even more critical.  Since the human egg is the largest cell in the body and is composed mostly of water, the formation of ice crystals during the freezing process can disrupt the egg’s internal microscopic contents and its outer membrane and we certainly do NOT want this to happen.

Microscopic Studies of the Eggs before freezing and after thawing have been performed by Dr. David Diaz and his team of scientists. Using our patent-pending LANDA Technology, we have thawed hundreds of frozen eggs making it possible for dozens of women to achieve their dream of having a baby of their own. Egg Freezing at West Coast Fertility Center have resulted in the Birth of 62 Healthy Babies with many on-going pregnancies from frozen eggs as of April 2011.

fresh human egg vs. thawed egg

(As presented at the annual fertility society meeting, their technique illustrates distinct preservation of the egg's delicate internal organelles which in turn yields excellent survival rates and a high degree of implantation.)


West Coast Fertility Centers provide the highest level of confidentiality, expertise and award-winning personal care. To request more information, contact our Egg Freezing Staff at 714-513-1399.
 


The Legend of Easter Eggs

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We wish you and your family a very Happy Easter from David Diaz, MD and the entire Egg Freezing Team.
(Easter Greeting from a 1907 Postcard)
 
Long before Christianity, the Pagan tribes of Europe worshipped a beautiful goddess of spring named Eostre. The Pagans were country dwellers who believed that everything had a spirit so there were gods and goddesses for all aspects of nature and life.

The ancient Pagan legend said that the goddess Eostre rescued a wounded bird in a snowy forest and to help the bird survive the winter, she transformed the bird into a rabbit. Because the rabbit is still a bird at heart, the rabbit built a straw nest and laid beautiful decorated eggs which got presented to the goddess Eostre in the spring as a gift of gratitude.

Feasts were held in Eostre’s honor and her symbol was the rabbit. Spring represents new life and the rabbit with its eggs symbolize fertility. 
 
Some historians believe that Easter is a variation of Eostre’s name and they see the connection between Easter and the rising of the sun in the east.
 
Have you Heard of Egg Freezing and Who Can Benefit from Egg Freezing?
 
1) Young women newly diagnosed with cancer, wishing to avoid damage to their eggs
 
2) Young women under age 38 years old wishing to delay fertility into the future
 
3) Couples undergoing In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) who want to freeze eggs instead of embryos
 
4) Women whose best option for pregnancy is with young, frozen donor eggs
 
 

Overlake Reproductive Health in Washington State Joins Our Growing Network of Egg Freezing Centers

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Egg Freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is now a reality in the specialty of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. It has found new applications in women wishing to preserve their fertility for medical indications or personal reasons.
 
Innovative research at West Coast Fertility Centers began to unravel some of the mysteries associated with egg freezing. Since the year 2000, our scientific team has made numerous innovative modifications to special biochemical solutions used to protect the eggs before they can be frozen.
 
As our experience with egg freezing expanded, we noted a more efficient diffusion of the protective freezing fluids into the egg cell. This led to preservation of the egg's vital structures like the chromosomes, the meiotic spindle and the mitochondria. Our frozen egg thaw survival rate rose to 91% compared to 10% with early studies in the 1980's. A research protocol for egg freezing with informed consent was approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).
 
 
 
Frozen Egg Bank, Inc. is a network of 8 IVF centers located in the U.S. working together to offer egg freezing and thawing services to their patient population using the innovative technique developed by Dr. David Diaz and his team of scientists. To learn more about fertility preservation with egg freezing please visit www.EggFreezing.com
As of April 2011, there have been 62 successful frozen egg births with 8 on-going pregnancies from our Centers.  

We are pleased to announce that Overlake Reproductive Health is our Frozen Egg Bank affiliate in Washington state. Overlake Reproductive Health has 3 locations to serve you in Washington.

Bellevue Address:
Overlake Reproductive Health
1135 116th Ave NE, Suite 640
Bellevue, WA 98004
 
Kirkland Address:
Evergreen Professional Center
12303 NE 130th Lane, Suite 400
Kirkland, WA 98034
 
Issaquah Address:
Issaquah Medical Center
450 NW Gilman Boulevard, Suite 204
Issaquah, WA 98027
 

Why Yvonne Chose Elective Egg Freezing to Preserve Her Fertility

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"Being a 34 year old female, I have thought about egg freezing for 2 years. I did not want my biological clock to dictate when I should get married and have children. After reading about Dr. Diaz and all the great work he has done, I decided to proceed.

The staff at West Coast Fertility Center has been fantastic!! It is a sigh of relief knowing my little eggs are now safe in a freezer until it’s time I decide to have children. I cannot say “thank you” enough to West Coast Fertility Center for their professionalism and care to their patients."  –Yvonne L.

 
The vitality of human eggs is at its peak during the active years of a woman’s reproductive life (age 15-35 years) making it more likely that a spontaneous pregnancy can occur. However, for a variety of reasons, these years may not coincide with the time frame when a woman chooses to become pregnant. The physical properties that make an egg fertile during youth can now be preserved by freezing a woman’s eggs until such a time when she is ready to initiate her family on terms that are suitable for her.
 

Please call 714-513-1399 to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Diaz to see if egg freezing is right for you.


Shattering the MISCONCEPTION that Egg Freezing is “Experimental and has Dismal Success Rates”

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Our medical and scientific team at Frozen Egg Bank in association with West Coast Fertility Centers has conducted very promising research leading to a patent pending method of egg freezing called the LANDA Freezing Technology which has reported a much higher frozen egg pregnancy rate compared to other published data.

Our LANDA Technology for egg freezing and thawing (cryopreservation) has resulted in the births of 60 healthy babies as of early March 2011. This number is among the highest in the nation from a single fertility clinic and also includes high numbers of ongoing pregnancies from the use of frozen eggs.

To understand the entire process of egg freezing, we take you on a journey of understanding…

A Brief History of Egg Freezing
To best understand the current status of egg freezing it is helpful to view the historical evolution of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) which in 1978 resulted in the birth of Louise Brown, the first human conceived in the laboratory. In IVF, eggs are harvested from the woman’s ovaries after priming their growth with specific hormone medications. The harvested eggs are inseminated and become embryos in the lab within three days.

A limited number of embryos are then transferred to the uterus, potentially leaving a surplus, which is usually frozen for a future transfer if the first try is unsuccessful. However, if pregnancy occurs during the first attempt, embryo disposition can be problematic due to conflicting opinions about their status in society.

Clearly, a potential solution to this dilemma is to inseminate a limited number of eggs after harvest and freeze the unfertilized eggs until needed in the future. Unlike an embryo, the egg is a single unfertilized cell, which in some groups simpler to discard when no longer needed.

The Egg Freezing Process
Early trials of egg freezing used suboptimal freeze/thaw protocols did not address the structural differences between oocytes (eggs) and embryos. The intent of most freezing protocols is to achieve simultaneous exchange of intracellular water with protective solutions in a limited amount of time, under special lab conditions, without causing injury to the target tissue.

Since the human egg is the largest cell in the body and is composed mostly of water, the formation of ice during freezing can disrupt the egg’s internal microscopic contents and its outer membrane. Therefore cryoprotectants, which act as “antifreeze solution" are used to dehydrate the water and replace it with the protective solution to reduce internal ice formation. However, the dilemma is that these cryoprotectants tend to be cytotoxic and as such they may damage the egg if exposure is too long at “high” temperatures (4 to 37 degrees Celsius). So the science of egg freezing (cryobiology) is all about compromise: how to remove water as quickly as possible, without damaging the egg.

The Egg Thawing Process
The science team at Frozen Egg Bank noticed that equally important to a successful freezing program is the development of a robust thaw protocol that insures the survival of the egg when ready to be fertilized. Cell death can occur if conditions are not optimal during the reanimation sequence.

The SUCCESSFUL Status of Egg Freezing at Frozen Egg Bank
Previously, the low success described in early published medical articles seemed to perpetuate the false notion that egg freezing would never become a reality. Building on our high success rate with embryo freezing, our focus turned to the systematic analysis of the anatomy and the fluid composition of a human oocyte and its special requirements needed to survive the rigors of very low freezing temperature and still maintain its integrity.

Our medical and scientific team at Frozen Egg Bank in association with West Coast Fertility Centers has conducted very promising research leading to a patent pending method of egg freezing called the LANDA Freezing Technology which has reported a much higher frozen egg pregnancy rate compared to other published data. Our LANDA Technology for egg freezing and thawing (cryopreservation) has resulted in the births of 60 healthy babies as of early March 2011. This number is among the highest in the nation from a single fertility clinic and also includes high numbers of ongoing pregnancies from the use of frozen eggs.

Meet some of our Frozen Egg Babies

    

Due to increasing demand for egg freezing services, Frozen Egg Bank, Inc. has formed a network of selected fertility centers to provide our freezing technology throughout the United States. After meeting strict criteria, each fertility center is awarded a license agreement entitling them to use our egg freezing method.

Frozen Egg Bank Network in the U.S.

Science of Egg Freezing

Meet David Diaz, MD and the Egg Freezing Team

Watch Video of "The Human Egg Freezing Project"

Freezing Your Own Eggs – Are You a Good Candidate?
 

Watch Our NEW Video Release “The Human Egg Freezing Project”

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\"The Human Egg Freezing Project\"

With 10 years of experience in the science of Egg Freezing, West Coast Fertility Centers has determined who are the best candidates for Egg Freezing.

Are You a Candidate for Egg Freezing?
1) Women under age 38.
2) Women with favorable ovarian reserve as determined on the 3rd day of the menstrual cycle.
3) No medical condition that might prevent the woman from receiving fertility medications or undergoing an egg harvesting procedure.
These ovarian reserve tests can be conveniently scheduled at West Coast Ferility Centers or at an alternate location.
 

Who May Benefit from Egg Freezing?
1) Young women newly diagnosed with cancer, wishing to avoid damage to their eggs
2) Young women under age 38 years old wishing to delay fertility into the future
3) Couples undergoing In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) who want to freeze eggs instead of embryos
4) Women whose best option for pregnancy is with young, frozen donor eggs

Sperm Frozen for Seven Years Results in Pregnancy

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For most men facing cancer treatment, the thought of future fertility is not even a concern. Fortunately, Juan, a patient at our center did not view it that way. At the age of 20, he received devastating news that he had been diagnosed with cancer. In 1999, Juan came to West Coast Fertility Centers to freeze and store his sperm prior to starting cancer treatment. As a young and unmarried man, this must have been an idea that seemed straight from a science-fiction movie. With treatment underway, the physical struggle for survival became the goal. Happily, his cancer went into remission and a few years later he met and married Maria. When they decided it was time to have children, they know it would not be as easy as other young couples. It was now 2006. After semen testing at our facility, Juan discovered that the cancer treatment had caused azoospermia which is the total absence of sperm. After meeting with Dr. David Diaz to discuss their options, they decided to try the IVF procedure hoping to give themselves the best chance of success.

After completing their first IVF attempt, they became pregnant with their own biological child! Juan and Maria were advised to freeze and store their surplus embryos for future attempts at pregnancy. Their beautiful baby girl was born on July 4th, 2007. Read more about Male Infertility Watch Video of Male Infertility Treatments

Preserving Your Eggs Before Cancer Treatments

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“Dr. Diaz and his staff are fantastic. I had been diagnosed with breast cancer at 39 and heard about Dr. Diaz through the Fertile Hope program. I needed to begin the ivf/embryo freezing process quickly, prior to chemotherapy. Dr. Diaz and his staff were very thorough in explaining every step of the process on every appointment.


The nurses were all incredibly nice and uplifting. Dr. Diaz has years of experience, terrific bedside manner, and the latest technology. We now have 8 embryos in waiting and very excited with the results. I look forward to returning to Dr. Diaz for the embryo transfer when my body is healthy again. I highly recommend Dr. Diaz!”  -Nancy O.

 

Egg Freezing…Affordable at Last!
Egg Freezing Special of $6,450*
(Normal Pricing $9,257)
*pre-testing, medication or storage off premises are not included


 

The cost of egg freezing can be a hurdle to moving forward with a patient’s desire to be proactive in taking charge of her reproductive future. We are very pleased to extend a favorable egg freezing discount—please see attached flyer.


We have dedicated nearly 10 years to develop and perfect the science of Egg Freezing and now have the highest number of babies born from Egg Freezing in the country. Our proprietary LANDA Freezing Technology is used by 7 centers throughout the United States.

Our LANDA Freezing Technology was developed and perfected to improve the birth rates following egg freezing. We have celebrated the births of 61 healthy babies from frozen eggs (as of 2/4/2011), more than any other program in the United States.


For more information on this Egg Freezing Special and other programs, please contact Maritza or Maria at 714-513-1399.

Egg Freezing…Now Finally Very Affordable with 30% Discount

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Be proactive in taking charge of your reproductive future.

 

 

Winter Savings of 30% OFF Regular Pricing

Egg Freezing Special of $6,450*

Normal Pricing $9,257

*pre-testing, medication or storage off premises are not included

Frozen Egg Bank has dedicated over 10 years to develop and perfect the science of Egg Freezing and now have the highest number of babies born from egg freezing in the country. Our proprietary Landa Freezing Technology is used by 7 centers throughout the United States.

 

 

Are You a Candidate for Egg Freezing?

~ Women wishing to delay child bearing for career or personal reasons.

 

~ Women diagnosed with cancer who wish to store their eggs before cancer treatments.

 

~ Couples who prefer egg freezing versus embryo freezing for religious and/or ethical reasons.

 

~ Women whose best option for pregnancy is with young, frozen donor eggs.

 

~ Women wishing to donate eggs for our Egg Bank Program. Donor compensation is available.

Help extend your fertility by acting now to freeze your eggs while they’re still healthy!

Make no mistake that a woman’s fertility declines steadily after reaching peak levels between ages 18 and 25. After the age of 35, the average woman’s fertility drops by about one half! By age 40 the average fertility rate is 15% of that of a woman at age 25.

 

 

This decline in pregnancy continues until it reaches very low levels of 1% or less per month at age 44 and beyond. For these reasons, egg freezing is best performed for women 38 years or younger.

 

 

Meet the Egg Freezing Team

 

 

Read further on Age & Fertility

 

 

Step-by-Step Process of Egg Freezing

 

 

Contact Frozen Egg Bank, Inc.