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When someone says they're doing IVF, does that mean freezing eggs or embryos? It’s a common point of confusion, especially since fertility treatment conversations often use these terms interchangeably. In this article, we’re diving into the key differences between the two, what each process involves, and how to decide which path might be right for you.
Egg freezing vs. embryo freezing: What’s the difference?
Egg freezing and embryo freezing are both part of the IVF (in vitro fertilization) process — but they’re not the same thing. The key difference? What’s being frozen.
With egg freezing, your mature eggs are collected and frozen before they’re fertilized. It’s a way to hit pause on your fertility and keep your options open for the future — like deciding on a partner or donor later.
Embryo freezing, on the other hand, means your eggs are fertilized with sperm right away, and the resulting embryos are frozen for future use. This is typically the route for couples or individuals who already know who they want to make embryos with.
Same general process, different timelines — and different decisions.
How is egg freezing different?
Egg freezing (AKA oocyte cryopreservation) is all about hitting pause before fertilization. It involves stimulating your ovaries with hormones to mature multiple eggs, retrieving them through a short outpatient procedure, and then freezing them unfertilized.
Unlike embryo freezing — which requires sperm at the time of fertilization — egg freezing keeps things open-ended. You’re not making embryos yet, just preserving your eggs for later.
When planning for IVF or egg freezing, don’t forget to factor in more than just the treatment itself — medications, testing, and follow-up visits can add up fast. And since many insurance plans cover little to none of these costs, it’s important to know what’s actually included before you start. Gaia helps bridge the gap with flexible payment plans that take your coverage (or lack of it) into account, so you can move forward with more control – and less financial guess work.
It’s a popular option for people who want biological kids someday but aren’t quite there yet — whether that’s because of age, health concerns, medical treatments like chemo, or just not having a partner (or sperm donor) right now.
The upside? You keep full control over future choices. No pressure to make decisions about sperm or embryo creation yet. And thanks to tech like vitrification, frozen eggs now have solid survival rates.
The tradeoff? It’s not a guarantee. You’ll still need IVF later to use the eggs, and not all eggs will survive thawing or go on to become healthy embryos. Plus, storage and future IVF costs add up.
How is embryo freezing different?
Embryo freezing (AKA embryo cryopreservation) takes things one step further than egg freezing. After hormone stimulation and egg retrieval, the eggs are fertilized with sperm — either from a partner or donor — and grown in a lab for a few days. Once they reach the blastocyst stage, they’re frozen for future use.
This option is best for people who are already working with a sperm source and planning to go through IVF soon, or for those who want to test embryos for genetic conditions using preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).
The benefits? Embryos are ready to transfer when you are — no need to fertilize later — and success rates are generally higher than with frozen eggs. Plus, you can screen embryos before transfer if that’s something you want.
The catch? You’ll need to decide on a sperm source upfront, and if plans change later, things can get ethically or emotionally complicated with unused embryos. There’s also a higher upfront cost since fertilization and lab work are involved.
How Gaia supports both options
Whether you're freezing eggs or embryos, Gaia makes the process feel a whole lot less daunting — financially, emotionally, and logistically. Their fertility financing model is designed to take the pressure off, with transparent pricing and support that goes way beyond the clinic.
If you’re freezing eggs, Gaia offers a plan starting at $150/month. That includes your ovarian stimulation meds, egg retrieval, freezing, and one year of storage. If no viable eggs are collected, they’ve got your back with either a second cycle for free or a refund. It’s a solid option if you’re early in your fertility journey and not ready to make decisions about sperm or embryos just yet.
If you’re freezing embryos, Gaia’s IVF plan covers everything from egg retrieval and fertilization to embryo freezing. You can build your ideal treatment plan by customizing your IVF journey with options like unlimited embryo transfers and included medication.
With capped pricing and interest-free treatment phases, Gaia brings clarity and control to a process that often feels the exact opposite. Bonus: you also get therapy sessions, nutrition consults, access to a fertility nurse, and your own dedicated Gaia advocate to help you through the journey — because this isn’t just about fertility. It’s about you.
Freezing eggs or embryos for IVF: It’s up to you
Egg and embryo freezing share early steps, but they diverge at fertilization. Embryo freezing advances you toward pregnancy, while egg freezing offers potential without immediate commitment. Understanding the science and your personal timeline can help you make a decision that’s truly right for you and your family. With Gaia, you have access to both informed options and financial clarity, plus support at every step. You don’t have to do this alone.
Dahlia Rimmon is a freelance writer, editor, and registered dietitian. She writes for various publications and family-focused brands, covering everything from food and supplements to overall health and wellness. Her experience spans private practice, consulting, and working in the baby food industry. She lives in St. Louis with her family.