What is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing is an option for women in their early to mid-30s as a way to preserve their fertility for future use. Originally, egg freezing was specifically used by women undergoing any form of chemotherapy, family history of premature ovarian failure or early menopause. Today, more women are able to access this treatment to freeze their eggs for any number of social or economic reasons.
Of course, even though egg freezing is a viable treatment option, similar to anyone undergoing fertility treatment, it is not ideal. Women, like Shady Grove Fertility Patient, Melanie, would rather be living their dreams of being happily married and starting their families naturally.
Melanie’s Story
I thought I had it all – a growing career, wonderful friends, and a great guy who became my husband. But unfortunately, my fairy tale wasn’t meant to be, at least not how I had originally envisioned it. At 34, I found myself going through a divorce and left thinking about when I would ever have children.
I knew I was young and according to the biological clock, I should still had time to start a family. However, to start dating… meet a guy… date for a couple years… get engaged and plan a wedding. More quickly than I would care to admit, I would be in my late-30s or early-40s and just starting to grow a family. And coming right out of the divorce, I wasn’t ready to rush into a relationship, let alone a serious relationship. On top of that, I didn’t want my future partner to feel the pressure to move faster than we would otherwise because of my ticking clock.
When the option to freeze my eggs became available, I thought it was going to be awhile until I was ready to start a family. It wasn’t an easy decision because I was living in the moment so much and found it difficult to think about the bigger picture. With everything going on with the divorce, it wasn’t easy adding another thing to my plate and even more difficult thinking about saving my eggs for future use.
My girlfriends knew I was considering freezing my eggs and it was from them that I received the best advice. Two of my friends in particular were in their second marriages, in their mid-40s, and unable to conceive on their own. They were both going through donor egg cycles to build their families – it was their only option. It was then I realized that I still had a choice. I knew I wanted to have a family one day, so given the option I would rather use my own eggs – and freezing my eggs now became a no brainer.
My hope is, just like anyone else, that I find a partner/husband and try the natural way to get pregnant first. I view my frozen eggs as an insurance policy in case “plan A” doesn’t work. Dating isn’t easy and I still have a clear picture of what I’m looking for in regards to a family. But my decision to freeze my eggs has put the pressure of the biological clock on hold. I don’t have to rush into anything I’m not ready for and I can take my time finding “the one.” Looking back I’m so glad I did it! It feels empowering to take this part of my life into my own hands.
WJLA – ABC7 Shares Melanie’s Story
This evening on WJLA – ABC7 in Washington, DC, Melanie shares her story. Discussing why she knew freezing her eggs was the right choice. Also interviewed is Shady Grove Fertility’s Dr. Joseph Doyle. Tune in tonight at 5pm to ABC7.
If you are ready to schedule an appointment at Shady Grove Fertility, please speak with one of our New Patient Liaisons at 877-971-7755.
