Freeze the Clock, Not Your Dreams: A Guide to Egg Freezing
Are you dreaming of career advancement, global adventures, or simply taking your time before starting a family? You’re not alone. WIN’s Delay of Motherhood Survey revealed 79% of women who became mothers at age 35+ said they would make the same choice to delay motherhood—despite fertility challenges. While this shift has given women the freedom to pursue (and achieve!) major life milestones, it’s not without increasing risk of future fertility outcomes. It’s no surprise 81% of women feel it’s important for employers to provide fertility benefits and support—including egg and sperm freezing, which is a crucial benefit for those who want to be proactive about their reproductive health.
The fact remains: Today, women are crushing goals and redefining what it means to build a fulfilling life. But what if that life includes both epic adventures and a future filled with tiny humans? Enter egg freezing, your “pause button” on the fertility clock.
How Does This Egg-cellent Adventure Work?
Egg freezing involves stimulating your ovaries to produce multiple eggs, just like they would during ovulation. These eggs are then retrieved through a minimally invasive procedure and whisked away to a cryopreservation lab where they’re frozen at a super-chilly temperature (think liquid nitrogen!). This puts them on ice, preserving their potential for future fertilization.
What to Expect on Your Egg-Freezing Journey
The egg-freezing process typically starts with a few weeks of fertility medications to boost egg production. Don’t worry, these medications are closely monitored by your doctor, and any side effects are usually mild—think bloating, mood swings (hello, PMS!), and in some cases, light cramping. Once your ovaries are in overdrive, your doctor will schedule an egg retrieval. It’s a quick in-office procedure done under light sedation, so you can rest assured you’ll be comfortable throughout.
The Science Behind the Freeze: A Blast from the Future
Egg freezing isn’t some new-fangled technology. Fertility specialists have been successfully freezing eggs for over 30 years, and the process has become a reliable way to preserve your fertility. Fun fact? Your frozen eggs can stay on ice for 10-15 years, on average, giving you ample time to conquer your goals and come back to family planning when you’re ready.
Waking Up Your Eggs: Thawing and Using Them
When you’re ready to start a family, your frozen eggs are gently thawed and fertilized with sperm in a lab (hello, in vitro fertilization or IVF!). If fertilization is successful, the resulting embryos are then transferred to your uterus for implantation—and voila! You’re on your way to growing a tiny human.
The Cost of Taking Control
Let’s talk about money. Egg freezing is an investment in your future family. The cost can vary depending on your location, clinic, and specific needs, but generally ranges from $15,000 to $30,000. The good news? 50% of large US organizations (20K+ employees) now offer fertility and family-building solutions, including egg and sperm freezing—and that’s a good thing, considering demand for egg freezing is skyrocketing by 194%!
Egg Freezing: The Power to Choose Your Path
Egg freezing is all about empowerment. It gives you the freedom to chase your dreams without worrying about the ticking of a biological clock. It allows you to start a family on your terms, not society’s. So, if you’re looking for a way to take control of your fertility future, egg freezing might be the ideal path for you.
Ready to learn more?
Book a consult with your WIN Nurse Care Advocate; they can answer any questions you might have, discuss if egg freezing is the right path for you, and help match you to a fertility provider who can help you begin your egg-freezing journey. Remember, knowledge is power, and when it comes to your fertility, you’re in the driver’s seat!
Advocacy And Care Management
3 Steps You Can Take Now for Your Future Fertility
Maximize Your Chances of a Baby Later
If you’re in your 20s or early 30s, you may not be ready to have a...
Fertility Preservation
Fertility Preservation Benefits: A Win-Win for Employees and Employers
Fertility preservation has become an increasingly popular benefit by allowing people to preemptively take...
Fertility Preservation
Why Young Women Are Freezing Their Eggs
It’s Not What You May Think
In 2014, Facebook and Apple began offering egg freezing as an employee...
