New Jersey recently added to their 2017 IVF mandate, providing insurance coverage for fertility preservation for cancer patients. New Jersey is the ninth state to add such a piece of legislation to help fight the maternal and infant health crisis. This coverage gives oncology patients the opportunity to preserve their eggs or sperm prior to undergoing cancer treatment that can potentially harm fertility.
Many traditional cancer treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy can be damaging to reproductive organs. The mandate now covers services such as oocyte (egg), sperm and embryo cryopreservation, which allow individuals/couples to conceive a healthy pregnancy when they are finished with treatment.
Egg/Embryo Freezing Process
Ovarian stimulation: The ovaries are stimulated by injectable medications that promote follicular growth. This helps the body produce multiple eggs at one time, as opposed to the one mature egg that ovulates in typical menstrual cycles. Our team carefully monitors individuals during this time period through frequent ultrasound visits and blood work.
Egg retrieval: Once follicles have reached an appropriate size, eggs can be retrieved with an ultrasound-guided needle. Egg retrieval procedures typically take place in the IVF suite of fertility practices.
Freezing or fertilization: If you are freezing your eggs, they can be frozen shortly after retrieval. If you are freezing embryos, sperm and eggs are given up to 5 days to fertilize prior to cryopreservation.
Sperm Freezing Process
Sperm freezing can typically be done in one simple visit. After collecting the specimen, a brief analysis is provided prior to freezing the sample.
If you are interested in fertility preservation, schedule a consultation today with one of our board-certified physicians.