Egg Freezing.
Take control of your reproductive future.
Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is a modern fertility preservation technique that allows women to store unfertilised eggs for future use. Whether you're not quite ready to start a family or have medical concerns that could affect your fertility, egg freezing empowers you to take control of your reproductive future.
Dr Kath Whitton offers expert, compassionate care to support women through this deeply personal journey. Combining advanced medical knowledge with her warm and approachable style, Dr Kath ensures you’re informed, comfortable, and confident every step of the way.
Preserving fertility for the future
Egg freezing is an ideal option for women who want to delay parenthood due to career, personal circumstances, or not yet meeting the right partner.
Medical reasons
Women facing medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy that could impact their fertility, or surgery involving the ovaries that could result in a decline in egg numbers.
Age and fertility decline
As a woman’s age increases, the number and quality of eggs decrease. Freezing eggs at a younger age provides the best chance of conception later in life.
Proactive family planning
Egg freezing offers the opportunity to start a family when the time is right.
What is egg freezing and why consider it?
What to expect from your egg freezing journey.
Freezing your eggs is a proactive and empowering step toward preserving your fertility and planning for your future. Here’s what you can expect from your egg freezing journey with Dr Kath.
-
Your egg-freezing journey begins with an in-depth consultation with Dr Kath. During this session, she will review your medical history, conduct fertility tests (such as an Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) test and an ultrasound to assess your ovarian reserve), and discuss your personal goals. This is also an opportunity to address any questions or concerns you may have. Together, you’ll create a tailored plan and timeline that aligns with your individual needs.
-
To prepare your ovaries for egg collection, you will undergo hormonal stimulation for 10–12 days. These self-administered daily injections encourage your ovaries to produce multiple eggs, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Dr Kath and her team will provide clear instructions and support to ensure you feel confident and comfortable throughout this phase. Regular blood tests and ultrasounds will monitor your response to the medication and determine the optimal timing for egg retrieval. -
When your hormone levels and ultrasounds indicate that your eggs are ready, Dr Kath will schedule a trigger injection to complete the final stage of egg development. This injection is carefully timed, typically 36 hours before the egg collection procedure, to ensure the eggs are ready for retrieval.
-
The egg retrieval procedure is performed under a light general anaesthetic to ensure your comfort. Using ultrasound guidance, Dr Kath. will insert a fine needle through the vaginal wall to gently collect eggs from your ovaries. The procedure is quick, usually taking about 20 minutes, and you’ll be able to go home after a short recovery period.
-
Once collected, your eggs are immediately taken to the laboratory, where they are assessed and prepared for freezing using a technique called vitrification. This rapid freezing process protects the eggs from ice crystal formation, preserving their quality for future use.
-
Through IVFAustralia, your vitrified eggs are securely stored in a state-of-the-art facility until you’re ready to use them. If you need to use them in the future, the eggs are warmed and fertilised by ICSI, to produce embryos ready for transfer.
Egg freezing 101.
Egg freezing can feel like a big step, but with the right information and support, it can also be an empowering choice. Dr Kath Whitton is here to guide you through every aspect of the process.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about egg freezing to help you make an informed decision.
-
Egg freezing is a procedure that involves retrieving and preserving a woman’s eggs at their current quality. They provide an opportunity to create embryos for the chance of pregnancy in the future.
As a specialist at IVFAustralia, Dr Kath accesses the latest in egg freezing technology, called vitrification, which rapidly freezes eggs to protect them from damage. When you’re ready to use them, the eggs are warmed, fertilised with sperm, and developed into embryos before being transferred into your uterus.
-
Egg freezing may be an ideal option for:
Women who wish to delay having children for personal, professional, or medical reasons
Those with conditions that can negatively impact fertility, such as endometriosis
Women diagnosed with cancer, that may require treatment that can affect fertility
Those who are not in a position to start a family but want to preserve their fertility for the future
Dr Kath believes that every person’s situation is unique and will help you explore whether egg freezing is the right path for you.
-
The egg-freezing process is straightforward and typically involves:
Consultation and assessment: A detailed review of your medical history, fertility tests (such as AMH and ultrasounds), and a personalised plan.
Hormonal stimulation: Self-administered injections for 10–12 days to encourage egg production, monitored with blood tests and ultrasounds.
Egg retrieval: A 20 minute procedure performed under sedation to collect eggs from your ovaries.
Freezing (vitrification): Your eggs are immediately frozen in a laboratory for future use.
Dr Kath and her team are committed to making every step of the journey clear and manageable.
-
Egg freezing costs include:
Consultation fees
Egg freezing cycle fee
Day hospital fees
Medications
Storage fees every six months.
Visit the IVFAustralia site to review a full breakdown of Egg Freezing costs.
Dr Kath's team will provide a detailed cost breakdown during your initial consultation.
-
The success of egg freezing depends on factors such as age and the number of eggs retrieved. For women under 35:
Egg survival rates: 80–90% after thawing
Fertilisation rates: 50–80% of thawed eggs typically fertilise successfully
Pregnancy rates: 20–40% of fertilised eggs develop into embryos suitable for transfer (Source).
Dr Kath can provide personalised insights into your likely outcomes based on your age and ovarian reserve.
-
Frozen eggs can be stored for many years without significant deterioration. When you’re ready to use them, they can be warmed, fertilised, and transferred into the uterus. There are no strict time limits, but Dr Kath will discuss your long-term plans to ensure the best outcomes for your journey.
-
While egg freezing is considered safe, potential risks include:
Discomfort or complications during egg retrieval (rare)
Some eggs may not survive the freezing and thawing process
Thawed eggs may not fertilise or develop into embryos
Dr Kath will carefully explain any risks and provide support at every stage.
-
Yes, but it depends on individual circumstances. While low AMH indicates a lower ovarian reserve, Dr Kath will evaluate your age, health, and fertility goals to determine if egg freezing is a viable option for you.
-
Preparing for egg freezing involves:
Optimising your health with a nutritious diet and regular exercise
Stopping smoking and limiting alcohol intake
Steer clear of any drug use
Supplements can optimise egg quality (CoQ10, Vit D and more)
Dr Kath’s holistic approach ensures you’re physically and emotionally prepared for the journey.
-
When you’re ready, your eggs will be warmed and fertilised with sperm (either from a partner or donor). The fertilised eggs will develop into embryos, and the highest-quality embryo will be transferred into your uterus. Any remaining embryos can be frozen for future use.
Why choose Dr Kath for egg freezing?
As a fertility specialist with experience in egg freezing, I understand that this decision can feel overwhelming. My approach combines the latest advancements in science with a caring, supportive environment, ensuring you feel heard and guided throughout every step.
Whether you're considering egg freezing for medical reasons or for future family planning, I am here to provide personalized support and clear, expert advice tailored to your unique situation. Together, we’ll make sure you’re empowered with the knowledge you need to feel confident about your choices.
If you're ready to take control of your fertility and plan for the future, let’s talk. Book a consultation today.
