Are you considering egg freezing as a solution to preserving your fertility for the future? You are not alone. An increasing number of women in India are choosing to freeze their eggs.
However, it is important to understand the overall cost of freezing eggs in India before opting for it. Read this article to know more about the steps to financially plan for freezing eggs.
What is Egg Freezing?
Before diving into the financial matters, a clear explanation of the egg freezing process is needed. Freezing the egg is performed by stimulating the ovaries to produce numerous eggs so that they can be retrieved and then frozen for future use. The frozen eggs can be thawed, fertilized, and then implanted at a later time.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Freezing Eggs in India
The cost of freezing eggs in India can differ a lot. This is based on the following factors:
Clinic Location: The location of the clinic acts as a major factor in determining the cost. Urban hospital charges are higher in comparison to what semi urban hospitals charge.
Reputation and Expertise of the Clinic: Clinics with a higher success rate and experienced medical staff may charge more for their services.
Medication and Hormonal Injections: The cost of medications used to stimulate the ovaries is an important component of the total cost.
Number of Cycles Required: Women may have to undergo multiple cycles if the doctor is unable to retrieve a sufficient number of eggs. This will cost more money.
Storage Fees: Post the retrieval and freezing of the eggs, there will be an ongoing storage fee to store the eggs.
Initial Consultation and Tests
In the early stage of the egg freezing process, an initial consultation with a fertility specialist is done. The doctor in this first consultation will take some general tests to find out more about your ovarian reserve and overall reproductive health. The tests may comprise of blood tests, ultrasound scans, and other diagnostic tools. To make sure that you are on track with your financial planning, the cost of these initial consultations and tests should be factored into your overall budget.
Ovarian Stimulation and Egg Retrieval
Once the initial tests are completed and you decide to proceed with egg freezing, the next phase involves ovarian stimulation. This involves taking hormonal injections for about 10-14 days to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The cost of these medications can vary based on the dosage and type of drugs used. After the stimulation phase, the eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure. The cost of egg retrieval includes the surgical procedure, anesthesia, and any additional medical care required during the process.
Egg Freezing and Storage
Once the eggs are retrieved, they are kept in a frozen state by a technology called vitrification. A process of vitrification is a quick freezing method that helps to avoid the occurrence of ice crystals that might destroy the structure of the eggs and, consequently, make it impossible to use the eggs in the future. The payment for egg freezing involves the use of the mentioned vitrification process and the long-term storage fees.
Financial Planning Tips
In order to manage the cost of freezing eggs in India, follow the below financial planning steps:
Budgeting: Make a detailed plan that includes all initial consultation and test costs as well as the funds required for storage. This will give you an understanding of the whole cost.
Insurance Coverage: Check if your health insurance pays for any expenses for the egg freezing process. Though elective egg freezing is generally not included in insurance coverage, it is better to learn about the possibility of receiving a portion of the egg freezing cost through your policy.
Payment Plans: Some of the clinics provide payment plans or financing as a possibility of easing the cost over time. Find out about the available options and make sure to pick the plan that you can afford.
Savings: If you consider freezing your eggs in the next few years, you should think of saving money in advance. The best idea is to create a separate savings account and save a percentage of your income on a monthly basis.
Conclusion
The procedure of egg freezing gives women an opportunity to control their future reproduction, however, it requires well-thought-out financial strategies.
(This article is part of DMCL Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. DMCL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The DMCL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)
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 "Egg Freezing in India")
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