Fertility preservation is a major concern for many active duty service members, due to the risks and sacrifices inherent in military services. In addition, many veterans face a variety of fertility issues once they are home. Due to these factors, IVF1 is proud to offer egg freezing programs for veterans and active duty service members, as well as other forms of fertility assistance for veterans.‍

How Egg Freezing Works

‍Egg freezing is a form of fertility preservation in which a woman's eggs are collected, then frozen under carefully controlled conditions until the woman is ready to get pregnant. Then, the eggs can be used during in vitro fertilization. Egg freezing is a relatively intensive process, and typically involves the following steps:

• Evaluating the number of egg follicles using ultrasound
• Stimulating the woman's ovaries to mature a large number of egg follicles using gonadotropin medication
• Collecting the eggs from the ovaries once they are mature
• Evaluating which of the eggs appear to be normal and a good candidate for egg freezing
• Freezing the eggs

Once the woman is ready to get pregnant, the eggs are thawed and fertilized using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a procedure in which a single sperm is injected into a single egg. From there, the IVF process proceeds as it would during a typical IVF cycle.In some cases, the woman may be unable to take gonadotropins for health reasons, or may not have enough time for a stimulated cycle. In such cases, the doctor may be able to collect immature egg follicles and mature them during a process known as egg hatching. Egg hatching is typically only an option for women who are younger and have a lot of healthy egg follicles.

‍Benefits of Egg Freezing for Veterans and Soldiers

‍Soldiers are prone to injuries that can affect their reproductive system, such as pelvic injuries and chemical exposure that can cause infertility. For this reason, egg freezing programs for veterans and soldiers can be important. In addition, some veterans and soldiers may wish to freeze their eggs to allow them to pursue their career without worrying about their "biological clock." For both situations, IVF1 offers programs that can help.

Naperville Egg Freezing Programs for Veterans and Soldiers

IVF1 offers two egg freezing programs for veterans and soldiers. SoldierCryo provides free egg or sperm freezing to Naperville residents who are being deployed overseas in active duty. SoldierCare gives discounts to soldiers and veterans who do not have insurance coverage for IVF.Dr. Randy Morris would be happy to meet with you about whether egg freezing programs for veterans are right for you. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call IVF1 at (630) 357-6540.