Have you ever heard of “social egg freezing”? It sounds like it could be a new trend or something fun on social media, right? But for me, it was more about making a serious choice for my future. When I decided to freeze my eggs, I brought along some friends for moral support—it turned into a little bonding experience.
What is Social Egg Freezing?
In simple terms, it’s when a woman decides to freeze her eggs—also known as egg cryopreservation—to safeguard her fertility for personal reasons. Dr. Emily Chen, a fertility expert, became aware of her own fertility journey during her training. She met plenty of women facing challenges in getting pregnant, whether due to age, medical treatments like cancer, or early menopause.
Dr. Chen shares her personal reasons for freezing her eggs, and they resonate with me:
I wasn’t ready for a family yet.
For me, egg freezing is like “fertility insurance.” It’s a way to ensure that when I’m ready to start a family, I have that option available without feeling the pressure of my biological clock ticking away. I want to find the right partner and not rush into pregnancy just because the clock is running out.
Donor eggs are not always an option.
Family has always been a significant part of my life, with deep-rooted values from my upbringing. My parents are eager for grandchildren, but I know that finding the right partner and timing is essential. The reality is, as I wait, my natural ability to conceive diminishes. While some women opt for donor eggs, I want my children to share my heritage. Most donors are Caucasian, so freezing my eggs means I can raise my kids with the values I cherish.
I was worried about my ovarian health.
Many women feel anxious about egg freezing because they fear the results of their fertility tests. I was nervous too, but when a friend discovered her ovarian reserve was low, it lit a fire under me. Inspired, I gathered a few friends to get tested together. I found out my ovarian reserve was also lower than expected for my age, prompting me to freeze my eggs immediately.
I highly recommend that women looking to conceive in the future consider assessing their ovarian reserve. Many think testing is too costly or painful, but it’s more accessible than you might think. Egg freezing resembles the initial phase of in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The difference is that with egg freezing, the eggs are stored for future use rather than being fertilized right away. When you decide to use them, they are simply thawed.
Success rates for IVF using frozen eggs can be quite encouraging. Women who freeze the recommended amount of eggs have a significant chance—between 65 to 80 percent—of achieving a successful pregnancy based on their age.
Interestingly, the first part of the egg freezing process, which includes bloodwork and ultrasounds, is often covered by insurance. Most patients can schedule these assessments conveniently and return to work afterward. The day of the egg retrieval requires a day off since it’s a surgical procedure, but financing options make this more manageable.
Ultimately, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Freezing my eggs has benefited me tremendously, both personally and professionally. It has deepened my understanding of the process, allowing me to support other patients at the clinic. Now, I can focus on my career and take my time finding the right partner without feeling rushed.
If you’re hesitant about the egg freezing process, remember that you’re not alone. I have no regrets about my decision. Understanding my options empowered me to invest in my future family. If you want to learn more about family planning or even concerns like the recent ban on red food dye No. 3, check out our other blog posts for insights here.
For those looking to explore artificial insemination, consider checking out resources from Make a Mom. You can also explore American Pregnancy for comprehensive information on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, freezing my eggs has truly been an empowering step toward securing my family’s future.