Thinking of Freezing Your Eggs in Canada? Here’s What You Need to Know
A Personal Journey Through Fertility Preservation
I’ve known for years that egg freezing was the best way to preserve my fertility as a cis woman. It’s becoming more commonly accepted, even appearing on “ The Mindy Project” (did anyone else love Mindy’s “Later, Baby” arc?). But it hit home when I worked at a fertility clinic.
As a medical receptionist, I saw firsthand the emotional highs and lows of IVF. Patients walked in with hope, fear, and sometimes heartbreak while navigating one of the most intimate decisions of their lives. At the time, I was in my mid-20s, and kids felt like a distant thought. But what I learned there stuck with me. Now, I’m considering egg-freezing myself. If you are, too, here’s what you should know.
What Exactly Is “Freezing”
The process is similar to the first steps of IVF: a guided cycle followed by removing the eggs. This involves medications for several weeks to stimulate follicles and, therefore, egg production, followed by retrieval of the eggs. For the retrieval, you’ll be under anesthesia, and they will be suctioned through a needle that enters through the vagina.
The goal is to harvest as many healthy eggs as possible. Then, the lab will “freeze” them, a process known as “cryopreservation.”
They will stay on the ice and in storage until you want a baby. They will need to be thawed and inseminated with either your partner’s or a sperm donor’s sperm. Consult with your fertility specialist for risks related to your exact health needs.
Eggs vs. Embryos: What’s the Difference?
There’s a debate about whether to freeze eggs alone or fertilize them and make embryos first. You should follow your doctor’s advice, but make an informed decision by researching the likelihood of success through oocyte (egg) freezing. Freezing embryos can mean higher success rates—but requires sperm, and if you don’t yet have a partner or want to pick a sperm donor, it can be complicated and more expensive. However, frozen eggs might have a lower chance of a successful pregnancy later on than frozen embryos.
The good news? Technology is improving, and the “success” gap in birth rates between frozen eggs and embryos is growing smaller and smaller. So, if you’re not ready to commit to a partner or donor, eggs alone might still be a great option. Talk to your doctor first and consider your finances and relationship status.
When Should You Freeze? (Spoiler: Sooner > Later)
Biology isn’t always fair. The best time to freeze your eggs is before 35, when quantity and quality are still high. After that, the odds of a successful pregnancy with frozen eggs decline.
Why the age limit? This transition into midlife starts to impact women’s chances of a live birth. That’s why some provinces (like Ontario and BC) cut off IVF funding after age 43 or 41 and why some clinics won’t treat patients over a certain age—statistically, success rates drop.
I’d recommend the podcast “Race to 35” for more information on egg freezing in general: https://armchairexpertpod.com/race-to-35.
Why Isn’t Egg Freezing Covered in Canada?
The numbers don’t lie: The average age of first-time mothers continues rising, with British Columbia leading at 32.6 years old and Ontario and Yukon following at 32.3 (Statistics Canada, 2024). Today’s women prioritize education, establish careers, and seek stable partnerships before starting families. Yet when they need to preserve fertility options, our healthcare system abandons them.
The stark reality:
– Egg freezing is most effective before age 35—precisely when women are advancing careers and managing student debt
– A single cycle in BC costs $10,000+ (excluding diagnostics and medications) with zero provincial coverage
– BC’s new IVF program covers embryo transfers for those under 41, but egg freezing remains entirely out-of-pocket
This isn’t exclusively a cis women’s issue. Trans women, Non-binary, and Two-Spirit individuals face even more significant barriers—including no coverage for fertility preservation before gender-affirming care.
The bottom line? If Canada genuinely champions gender equality and supports modern family planning, we must expand fertility care coverage provincially and federally. Contact your MLA/MP today: Reproductive autonomy shouldn’t come with a $10,000+ luxury price tag that only the privileged can afford.
What’s Next?
If you’re considering egg freezing, here’s your action plan:
1. Research clinics near you —costs and success rates vary clinic by clinic.
2. Check provincial support—At the time of this blog (April 2025), Manitoba offers a tax credit for fertility preservation; Ontario and Quebec offer support for “valid medical reasons, like gender-affirming care or chemotherapy.” Other provinces? Not so much.
3. Talk to a specialist —they can give you personalized advice based on age and health. Your family doctor can refer you to a fertility clinic. You’ll need to have an initial consultation before starting any treatment.
4. Talk to a fertility lawyer—I offer a special consult, “Future Family Planning,” where I share all my knowledge on this topic so you can use it now or later. Book today!
And know you’re not alone. The more we talk about fertility preservation, the more we normalize it because everyone deserves options.
