Whether your timeline for parenthood has shifted, a medical diagnosis has changed your plans, or you simply are not ready yet, one thing remains true: your options do not have to disappear. Fertility preservation, commonly known as egg freezing or oocyte cryopreservation, gives individuals the ability to protect their reproductive potential now so they can use it when the time is right. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recognizes planned egg freezing as an ethically sound and clinically supported option for those seeking to safeguard future fertility. Understanding what the process involves, who it helps, and what to expect at your first consultation can make all the difference in moving forward with confidence.
At Chedid Grieco, we have helped individuals and couples navigate fertility preservation for nearly 30 years. Our fertility treatments are delivered through a boutique, personalized model that accounts for each person’s unique medical background and family planning goals. Our FDA- and New York Department of Health-licensed clinic operates out of our state-of-the-art laboratory in São Paulo, Brazil, where we perform approximately 1,200 cycles per year and have celebrated more than 8,000 successful births. Consultations are held in Miami, Florida, giving US-based patients close access to our team before traveling to Brazil for treatment. We are a proud, female-led practice and a welcoming space for LGBTQI+ families.
What Is Fertility Preservation?
Fertility preservation refers to the medical process of collecting, freezing, and storing eggs, embryos, or reproductive tissue so they can be used at a later date. For women, the most common approach is egg freezing, also called oocyte cryopreservation. During this process, the ovaries are stimulated with hormonal medications to encourage the development of multiple mature eggs. Those eggs are then retrieved through a minimally invasive procedure and preserved using a flash-freezing technique called vitrification, which protects egg quality during long-term storage.
Embryo freezing is another option for those who have a partner or plan to use donor sperm at the time of preservation. In this case, the eggs are fertilized through in vitro fertilization (IVF) before being frozen and stored. Both egg and embryo freezing offer a way to preserve fertility at its current state. At Chedid Grieco, we also offer In Vitro Maturation (IVM), a newer technique that allows eggs to be retrieved without ovarian stimulation injections and matured in the lab instead, eliminating the need for the 10 to 12 day injection period typically required for standard IVF or egg freezing cycles.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Egg Freezing in Miami?
Fertility preservation is a meaningful option across a wide range of life situations. Some individuals come to us knowing they want to protect their fertility, while others arrive following a medical diagnosis that makes time-sensitive action essential. Our team works with each person to evaluate their ovarian reserve and overall reproductive health before recommending a preservation plan. The following groups frequently benefit from egg freezing services.
- Individuals pursuing cancer treatment: Chemotherapy and radiation are among the most common causes of fertility loss in young patients. Preserving eggs or embryos before treatment begins gives individuals a path to parenthood after recovery.
- Those delaying parenthood: Career goals, financial readiness, or simply not yet having found the right partner are all valid reasons to preserve eggs now and build a family later when the timing feels right.
- Patients with endometriosis or autoimmune conditions: Conditions like endometriosis can progressively reduce ovarian reserve over time. Freezing eggs earlier may protect options before egg quality or quantity declines further.
- LGBTQI+ individuals and couples: Same-sex female couples, transgender individuals, and single individuals who wish to use their own eggs for future family building can preserve their biological material before hormonal or surgical transition.
- Those facing surgical or occupational risks: Individuals scheduled for surgeries affecting reproductive organs, or those exposed to gonadotoxic chemicals through military service or occupational hazards, may benefit from proactive preservation.
Whatever your situation, preserving your eggs or embryos gives you the power to make your own reproductive choices on your own timeline.
What to Expect During the Egg Freezing Process
The fertility preservation process at Chedid Grieco begins with an initial consultation in Miami, where our team reviews your medical history, assesses your ovarian reserve through ultrasound and hormone testing, and develops a personalized treatment plan. From there, you will travel to our clinic in Brazil for the retrieval cycle itself. The ovarian stimulation phase typically spans 10 to 14 days for conventional egg freezing, though IVM eliminates most of this period entirely. Our physicians monitor your progress closely throughout.
Egg retrieval is performed under light sedation and takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The retrieved eggs are immediately transferred to our laboratory, where they undergo vitrification and are stored in our secure cryopreservation facility. Once preserved, your eggs can remain stored until you are ready to use them. When that time comes, our egg donation and embryo transfer team will walk you through your next steps, whether that means transferring a thawed embryo or pursuing egg donation as part of a broader family-building plan. Additional details on traveling for treatment and what to prepare are available on our fertility tourism page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fertility Preservation
Below are answers to some of the most common questions our Miami patients ask about egg freezing and fertility preservation at Chedid Grieco.
At what age should I consider freezing my eggs?
Most fertility specialists recommend egg freezing before age 37, when egg quantity and quality tend to be at their highest. That said, every individual’s ovarian reserve is different, and a baseline fertility evaluation will give you a clearer picture of where you stand. Earlier is generally better, but it is never too late to ask.
How many eggs do I need to freeze for a good chance of success?
The number of eggs needed varies based on age and individual factors, but many clinics aim for 10 to 20 mature eggs to provide a reasonable probability of a live birth in the future. Your physician at Chedid Grieco will help you understand what a realistic retrieval looks like for your specific situation and whether multiple cycles may be appropriate.
Is egg freezing painful?
Most patients tolerate the process well. The stimulation injections can cause mild bloating or discomfort as the ovaries respond to the medication. The retrieval procedure is performed under sedation, so you will not feel it. Some patients experience light cramping in the day or two following retrieval, which typically resolves quickly.
How long can frozen eggs or embryos be stored?
Eggs and embryos can remain viable in cryopreservation for many years. Long-term storage has resulted in successful pregnancies even after more than a decade of freezing. Our team will advise you on annual storage arrangements and any updates to your storage plan over time.
Does Chedid Grieco offer IVM as an alternative to traditional egg freezing?
Yes. In Vitro Maturation (IVM) is an option at our clinic that allows eggs to be retrieved without the ovarian stimulation injections typically required for standard egg freezing or IVF. Instead, immature eggs are collected and matured in the laboratory. This approach eliminates the 10 to 12 day injection phase, which can be a significant benefit for patients who prefer to avoid daily injections or who cannot tolerate hormonal stimulation.
What makes Chedid Grieco different from fertility clinics in the United States?
Chedid Grieco is 1 of only 8 clinics outside the United States with a New York Department of Health tissue license, meaning our laboratory meets some of the most rigorous reproductive medicine standards in the world. Our clinic is also FDA licensed, and we perform over 1,200 cycles per year across our team of 8 doctors. Our multilingual team speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and our boutique model means every patient receives a fully individualized treatment plan.
Begin Your Fertility Preservation Consultation at Chedid Grieco
Chedid Grieco brings nearly 30 years of reproductive medicine experience, more than 8,000 successful births, and 1,200 cycles per year to every patient who walks through our doors. As a female-led, LGBTQI+ affirming clinic with both FDA and New York Department of Health licensing, we are uniquely positioned to serve US-based patients seeking internationally accredited fertility care. Our team works with individuals, couples, and families across a wide range of backgrounds, offering the kind of boutique, personalized approach that larger clinical settings often cannot provide.
Your initial 20-minute consultation is available at no charge and takes place in Miami, while treatment is carried out at our advanced facility in São Paulo, Brazil. If you are ready to protect your reproductive future, we are ready to help you plan for it. Learn more about traveling for treatment on our fertility tourism page, or reach out to our team directly through our contact form to get started.