Meet Emma, a 34-year-old entrepreneur residing in the vibrant D.C. area. Currently single, Emma spent years contemplating the idea of freezing her eggs. After much thought, she finally decided to take the leap and underwent the egg freezing process. Now, she’s eager to share her journey and offer insights for women considering this option. Over the next few months, Emma will be blogging about her experiences and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Part 1: Am I Fertile? Taking Baby Steps
In my first post, “Top Five Reasons I Chose to Freeze My Eggs,” I mentioned that my journey to egg freezing spanned about four years. It took me a while to come to this decision, and the very first step was to assess my fertility status. Over the years, I had heard stories from older friends and colleagues highlighting two crucial points: first, that fertility challenges can be a real shock when you’re ready to start a family, and second, that I might not be fertile at all. A bit of a downer, right? But it’s essential to face reality.
So, there I was in April, just a few weeks shy of my 34th birthday, single and feeling a bit lost. I was about 75% sure I wanted to proceed with egg freezing but anxious about my fertility status. As I was preparing for international travel, I decided I needed to check if egg freezing was even an option for me. I wanted to take a small step before diving into the full process.
“Let’s make this happen!”
I quickly discovered that the Ovarian Reserve Assessment was the perfect first step. I reached out to my nurse—who also happens to be my sister—and asked, “What’s the first thing I need to do to see if I have any eggs to freeze?” With a smile, she replied, “Just let me know when your period starts, and I’ll set up an appointment.” It felt almost too simple. I had a million questions, but I held back and said, “Alright, let’s do this.”
I learned that this test helps fertility specialists evaluate a woman’s potential for successful egg freezing. Knowing this was critical for my decision-making process.
“Just 30 minutes, and I was done!”
When the day of my Ovarian Reserve Assessment arrived, I was nervous. The process itself was straightforward, but I was flooded with questions: “What will my ovarian reserve look like? Will I hear something I don’t want to know?” I had to navigate these concerns while enduring an awkward pelvic ultrasound during my period—it wasn’t painful, just a little uncomfortable. But I reminded myself to trust the professionals. After about 30 minutes, it was all over, and I was eager to discuss the results with my doctor.
Stay tuned for Emma’s next blog post by checking out our other articles. You can read about family building together here. If you’re considering egg freezing, resources like this one can provide valuable information. For insights on IUI success rates, visit WebMD.
In summary, beginning the process of egg freezing can be daunting, but understanding your ovarian reserve is an essential first step. With the right support and information, you can make informed decisions about your fertility journey.