Egg Freezing in BC: Costs, Clinics & What to Expect

Last Updated: June 2026

Egg freezing, medically known as oocyte cryopreservation, has become an increasingly popular option for individuals in British Columbia who want to preserve their fertility for the future. Whether you're focused on your career, haven't found the right partner, or are facing medical treatments that may affect your fertility, egg freezing offers a way to extend your reproductive timeline.

This guide provides British Columbians with detailed information about the egg freezing process, associated costs, clinic options across the province, and what you can realistically expect from this procedure.

Understanding Egg Freezing: The Basics

Egg freezing is a fertility preservation technique that involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, retrieving those eggs through a minor surgical procedure, and then freezing them for future use. Modern clinics use a flash freezing method called vitrification, which has significantly improved egg survival rates compared to older slow freezing techniques.

The eggs remain frozen in liquid nitrogen at approximately minus 196 degrees Celsius and can be stored for many years. When you're ready to use them, the eggs are thawed, fertilized with sperm through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the resulting embryos can be transferred to your uterus.

For comprehensive information about fertility services in the province, visit our Fertility Hub BC page.

Egg Freezing Costs in British Columbia

Understanding the full financial picture is essential when considering egg freezing in BC. Unlike some provinces, British Columbia does not currently provide public funding for elective egg freezing, meaning patients cover all costs out of pocket.

Initial Cycle Costs

A single egg freezing cycle in BC typically costs between $8,000 and $12,000. This usually includes:

• Initial fertility consultation and assessment: $300 to $500
• Bloodwork and hormone testing: $200 to $400
• Transvaginal ultrasounds for monitoring: $400 to $800
• Ovarian stimulation medications: $3,000 to $6,000
• Egg retrieval procedure: $3,500 to $5,000
• Egg freezing and first year of storage: often included in retrieval fee

Ongoing Storage Fees

After the first year, annual storage fees range from $500 to $800 per year depending on the clinic. Some facilities offer discounted rates for prepaying multiple years of storage.

Future Use Costs

When you're ready to use your frozen eggs, additional costs apply:

• Egg thawing and fertilization: $3,000 to $5,000
• Embryo transfer: $2,000 to $3,500
• Medications for embryo transfer cycle: $500 to $1,500

Many BC residents explore financing options or use health spending accounts to manage these expenses. Some clinics offer payment plans, and certain employers now include fertility benefits in their health coverage packages.

BC Fertility Clinics Offering Egg Freezing

British Columbia has several established fertility clinics, with the majority located in the Lower Mainland. Here's what you need to know about accessing services across the province.

Vancouver and Lower Mainland

Vancouver serves as the primary hub for fertility services in BC, with multiple clinics offering egg freezing:

Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM) operates locations in Burnaby and Vancouver, providing comprehensive fertility preservation services. They're known for their experienced team and modern vitrification technology.

Olive Fertility Centre has clinics in Vancouver and Surrey, offering egg freezing as part of their fertility preservation program. Their Surrey location improves access for residents in the Fraser Valley region.

Genesis Fertility Centre in Vancouver provides egg freezing services along with genetic testing options and comprehensive fertility care.

Patients in Richmond and Burnaby can typically access clinics within a 30 minute drive, while those in Abbotsford may need to travel 45 minutes to an hour to reach Lower Mainland facilities.

Victoria and Vancouver Island

Victoria Fertility Centre offers egg freezing services for Vancouver Island residents, eliminating the need for repeated travel to the mainland. This is particularly valuable given that monitoring appointments occur frequently during a cycle.

Kelowna and the Interior

Options in the BC Interior are more limited. Some clinics offer satellite monitoring services in Kelowna, where patients can complete bloodwork and ultrasounds locally before traveling to a main clinic for the egg retrieval procedure. This arrangement reduces the burden of travel while still allowing Interior residents to access care.

For diagnostic testing requirements, our Private Diagnostics in BC resource provides information about private testing options that may expedite the process.

The Egg Freezing Process: Step by Step

Initial Consultation and Testing

Your journey begins with a fertility consultation, which includes a review of your medical history, an antral follicle count via ultrasound, and blood tests to assess your ovarian reserve. Key tests include Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels, FSH, and estradiol. Wait times for initial consultations at BC clinics typically range from two to six weeks.

Ovarian Stimulation Phase

Once you begin a cycle, you'll self-administer injectable hormones for approximately 10 to 14 days. These medications stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs rather than the single egg that typically matures each month. During this phase, you'll have frequent monitoring appointments, usually every two to three days, for bloodwork and ultrasounds.

Trigger Shot and Retrieval

When your eggs are mature, you'll receive a "trigger shot" to prepare for retrieval. Approximately 36 hours later, the egg retrieval takes place. This is a minor surgical procedure performed under sedation, lasting about 15 to 30 minutes. Most patients return home the same day and resume normal activities within one to two days.

Freezing and Storage

Retrieved eggs are immediately assessed by embryologists, and mature eggs are frozen using vitrification. You'll receive a report detailing how many eggs were retrieved and frozen.

Success Rates and Important Considerations

Age Matters Significantly

The success of egg freezing depends heavily on the age at which eggs are frozen. Eggs frozen before age 35 have the highest survival and fertilization rates. According to data from reproductive medicine research:

• Eggs frozen under age 35: approximately 90% survival rate after thawing
• Eggs frozen between 35 and 37: approximately 80 to 85% survival rate
• Eggs frozen between 38 and 40: approximately 70 to 80% survival rate
• Eggs frozen over 40: lower survival rates and reduced likelihood of live birth

How Many Eggs Should You Freeze?

Fertility specialists generally recommend freezing 15 to 20 mature eggs for a reasonable chance at a future live birth if you're under 35. For those over 35, more eggs may be recommended, which could require multiple retrieval cycles. Your clinic will provide personalized recommendations based on your test results and goals.

No Guarantees

It's important to understand that egg freezing does not guarantee a future pregnancy. Not all frozen eggs will survive thawing, not all surviving eggs will fertilize, and not all embryos will result in pregnancy. Your fertility team can help you understand realistic expectations based on your individual circumstances.

Medical Egg Freezing Coverage

While elective egg freezing is not covered by MSP, patients who require fertility preservation before cancer treatment or other medical interventions may qualify for partial coverage or financial assistance programs. Organizations like Fertile Future offer grants for patients facing fertility threatening medical treatments.

If you're exploring egg freezing for medical reasons, speak with your oncologist or specialist about referral pathways and available support.

Preparing for Your Egg Freezing Journey

Before starting the process, consider these practical steps:

• Research multiple clinics and compare success rates, costs, and patient reviews
• Check if your employer offers fertility benefits
• Plan for time off work during the monitoring and retrieval phases
• Arrange transportation for retrieval day, as you cannot drive after sedation
• Consider your long term storage plan and budget for annual fees

For broader reproductive health information, our Women's Health Hub offers additional resources relevant to your healthcare journey.

Questions to Ask Your Fertility Clinic

When meeting with fertility clinics, consider asking:

• What is your clinic's egg survival rate after thawing?
• How many eggs do you recommend I freeze based on my test results?
• What happens to my eggs if I relocate or the clinic closes?
• Are there any additional fees not included in the quoted price?
• What is your protocol if I need to cancel a cycle mid-way?

Additional Resources

For general health questions and information about fertility services in BC, contact HealthLinkBC (8-1-1), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Egg freezing represents a significant financial and emotional investment, but for many British Columbians, it provides valuable peace of mind and reproductive autonomy. By understanding the process, costs, and realistic expectations, you can make an informed decision about whether fertility preservation is right for you.

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