Egg freezing is an option available to those women whom have previously experienced a miscarriage. With increasing percentages of successful pregnancies being attributed to frozen eggs, the procedure is becoming more acceptable and frequent. Keep reading to discover the reasons supporting egg freezing after miscarriage and possible complications of the process.
Miscarriages Explored
While miscarriages are more common than perceived, many couples become extremely frightened of experiencing another miscarriage in the future. A miscarriage can be caused by one or more different fertility issues. A miscarriage in the first trimester is usually due to genetic or hormonal problems; a miscarriage in the second trimester is usually caused by problems with the placenta or low hormone levels; a miscarriage in the third trimester can be caused by pregnancy-related diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. While some miscarriages are preventable, many are not. Following a miscarriage, your physician will most likely investigate possible causes for the loss. After two miscarriages, your doctor should perform fertility tests on you and your partner.
The Reasons to Freeze
Depending on what the physician discovers or believes to be the cause of the miscarriage, many couples may wish to freeze eggs to enable a future pregnancy after undergoing fertility treatments. If the miscarriage was not attributed to poor egg quality, but rather to sperm quality or uterine health, eggs can be frozen and later used to create a pregnancy. Freezing eggs will give the couple peace of mind in knowing that healthy eggs are and will continue to be available despite the treatments they undergo to resolve the problem and increase fertility.
Couples that experience several miscarriages may need to take a break or consider using a surrogate. Using a surrogate is an extremely difficult decision to make and may not be legal in your state. However, should eggs have previously been frozen, the couple or woman will be able to have a genetically-related child regardless of whose womb is used to grow the baby.
Ability to Freeze Eggs after Miscarriage
A woman who experiences one or more miscarriages, but whose eggs have been found healthy and viable after testing, is able to freeze her eggs. There are no extra complications or restrictions on freezing eggs after a miscarriage.
Legal Problems of Egg Freezing
Frozen eggs are unfertilized. Because of this, they remain the owner’s property despite future divorce or marriage. This is not the case of fertilized eggs such as those used for in vitro fertilization procedures. However, legal problems of egg freezing include ownership of the eggs after the death of the woman or egg abandonment. In these situations, who owns the eggs and what can be done with them, i.e. whether they can be donated to another recipient or dissected for research, are unresolved. Because of this, women or couples considering freezing eggs should draw up and sign legal documents regarding the disposal or use of eggs should they not be used by the parties in the future.
