The first step is to undergo medical examinations to assess the patient’s fertility status and chances of success.
Then, ovarian stimulation — monitored through blood tests over about ten days — aims to boost the production and maturation of the eggs.
Once it has been confirmed (by ultrasound) that a sufficient number of eggs has been reached, it is time for the retrieval, i.e. the collection of several eggs (under local or general anaesthesia). These are then vitrified in liquid nitrogen at –196°.
According to statistics, a minimum of 20 eggs must be collected to have the best possible chance of conceiving. This is why the procedure sometimes has to be repeated a second time, in order to reach this number.
Whenever she wishes, the patient can then request the thawing (devitrification) of her eggs and their reimplantation through in vitro fertilisation treatment, using her spouse’s sperm.
In total, from the first step to the retrieval, the process can take around three months.