Shared Egg Freezing
Half the cycle. A fraction of the cost. Your eggs, your future.
Two patients share one egg retrieval cycle — same medical team, same lab, same quality — at a significantly lower cost than freezing solo. All the science, less of the financial burden.
What this service is
Shared Egg Freezing.
Shared egg freezing is a cost-sharing model where two patients undergo a single egg retrieval cycle together. The eggs retrieved are divided between the participants based on a predetermined agreement, and each patient's share is vitrified and stored independently. You get the same medical team, the same lab, and the same freezing technology — at a fraction of the solo cycle cost.
This program is designed for women who want to preserve their fertility but find the full cost of a solo egg freezing cycle out of reach right now. By sharing the retrieval, anesthesia, and monitoring costs with another patient, you can freeze eggs at a significantly lower price point. Contact us for current shared cycle pricing — it varies by cycle and availability.
At Arbor, shared egg freezing follows the same clinical protocol as our solo program. Dr. Zarek manages the stimulation, monitoring, and retrieval for both participants. After retrieval, each patient's eggs are individually labeled, vitrified, and stored in our on-site cryopreservation facility with one year of storage included.
How sharing works
Same cycle. Same lab. Two patients. One shared cost.
Arbor coordinates the timing between two compatible participants so that both can undergo egg retrieval in the same cycle. You don't need to know your co-participant — matching is handled by our clinical team based on cycle timing, medical factors, and legal agreements. Each patient goes through their own stimulation protocol, and both retrievals happen on the same day.
After retrieval, each patient's eggs are labeled, vitrified, and stored independently. There is no biological connection between the two participants — you never meet your cycle partner, and your eggs are never co-mingled. The only thing shared is the cost of the clinical resources that would otherwise be allocated to a single patient.
What's in the shared package
Five components. One shared cycle. Your own eggs.
The shared egg freezing package covers everything from monitoring through one year of storage. Pricing is available on request.
Monitoring
Up to three transvaginal ultrasounds to track follicle development and determine the optimal retrieval window. Same monitoring protocol as a solo cycle.
Egg Retrieval
A single egg retrieval procedure under anesthesia. Eggs are collected from your ovaries and immediately assessed by the embryology team.
Anesthesia
IV sedation administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist during the retrieval procedure. You're comfortable throughout — the procedure takes approximately 15–20 minutes.
Egg Freezing
Your retrieved eggs are vitrified using rapid-freezing technology that preserves cellular integrity. Vitrified eggs can remain frozen indefinitely without degrading.
One Year Storage
Your eggs are stored in our on-site cryopreservation facility for one full year at no additional cost. Storage renews at $600/year beginning in year two.
Not included: Medications for ovarian stimulation (typically $3,000–$4,500), diagnostic testing and infectious disease screening, lab fees (billed to insurance), storage after year one ($600/year), and donor services.
Shared vs. solo: what's different?
| Shared Cycle | Solo Cycle ($5,000) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring | Up to 3 ultrasounds | Up to 3 ultrasounds |
| Egg Retrieval | Coordinated same-day | Individual scheduling |
| Anesthesia | Included | Included |
| Eggs Retrieved | All yours — never shared | All yours |
| Egg Freezing | Included | Included |
| Year-One Storage | Included | Included |
| Medications | Separate ($3K–$4.5K) | Separate ($3K–$4.5K) |
| Cost | Contact for pricing | $5,000 |
| Best For | Budget-conscious patients comfortable sharing a retrieval | Patients who want maximum egg yield from a dedicated cycle |
Both options use the same clinical protocol, same lab, and same freezing technology. Your eggs are never shared or pooled — the only thing shared is the cost of the retrieval procedure.
Common questions about shared egg freezing.
How does patient matching work?
Arbor maintains a pool of patients interested in shared egg freezing. When two patients are both medically ready and within a compatible cycle window, we coordinate their stimulation protocols so retrievals can be scheduled on the same day. You never meet your cycle partner, and matching is handled entirely by the clinical team. Wait times depend on current demand — some patients are matched within weeks, while others may wait one to two months.
Do I need to know the other participant?
No. Arbor coordinates matching based on cycle timing and medical compatibility. You and your co-participant undergo the same retrieval procedure but may never meet. The sharing is purely financial — your eggs are frozen and stored independently, and the other participant has no access to or involvement in your eggs after retrieval.
Who is a good candidate for shared egg freezing?
Shared egg freezing is ideal for women who want to preserve their fertility but find the full cost of a solo cycle prohibitive. The best candidates are those who are flexible on timing — since the cycle needs to be coordinated with another participant — and comfortable with a short wait for matching. You keep all of your own eggs; the sharing is purely financial.
What if my cycle partner's cycle is cancelled?
If your cycle partner's cycle is cancelled before retrieval, your cycle continues on its own timeline. You may be re-matched with another patient for a future cycle, or you can choose to proceed with a standard solo egg freezing cycle at the full $5,000 price. Arbor will work with you to find the best path forward — you're never stuck waiting indefinitely.
How long can frozen eggs remain stored?
Eggs can remain vitrified indefinitely without degrading. Your first year of storage is included in the shared cycle package. After year one, storage renews at $600 per year. Whether you use your eggs in two years or ten, vitrification preserves them at the quality they had on retrieval day.
Can I use shared-cycle eggs for embryo creation later?
Yes. Eggs frozen through a shared cycle are identical to solo-frozen eggs in terms of quality and viability. When you're ready, you can proceed to embryo creation ($7,500) using your stored eggs — the process is the same regardless of whether the original retrieval was shared or solo.
Often considered alongside
Related services worth a look.
Interested in sharing a cycle?
Shared egg freezing availability depends on matching two compatible participants, so timing can vary. The best first step is a consultation — we'll assess your candidacy, explain the matching process, and walk through the financial details. The initial 30-minute consult is $100 virtual or $200 in person.