Rewrite The Narrative On Fertility

Having children is a common milestone for many adults. If the desire is there, becoming a parent can be one of the most transformative and rewarding experiences in a person’s life. For women in particular, a finite window exists in which that individual’s eggs are of optimal quality for conceiving. Research suggests that the optimal range for egg quality is between 20-35 years old. Yet with many women delaying pregnancy, egg freezing has become a popular solution. The technology has existed since 1986 when a frozen embryo resulted in the first live birth, helping to extend fertility for so many people and not just for individuals wanting to delay starting a family.

For health scares

Fertility treatments aren’t just for older women or people with unexplained infertility. Processes like vitro fertilization (IVF) can sometimes be a lifeline when an underlying health condition might cause sterility. For example, common cancer treatments like chemotherapy can damage eggs. In other scenarios, prematurely having to remove the ovaries would otherwise result in a woman becoming infertile. Often, these patients are encouraged to freeze eggs before being treated or undergoing surgery to preserve fertility.

Delayed parenthood

Statistics show that people are waiting longer to start a family. Whether to pursue career goals, experience life, or just being unsure about wanting to be a mother, a variety of reasons can exist. More women are having a first child after age 30 and may still want to expand that family in later years. Freezing eggs is a way to avoid common difficulties older women may face when trying to get pregnant. Embryos developed from frozen eggs harvested earlier in life can improve implantation rates and yield a full-term pregnancy resulting in a live birth. The later a woman waits to get pregnant, the harder the process can be in some cases.

To help other couples

While most people think of egg freezing as a way to preserve individual pregnancy goals, the process can also help others struggling to start or expand a family. For example, gay couples have limited options for building a family organically beyond adopting or fostering a child. While surrogacy is a pathway, not all surrogates provide the egg required to kickstart a pregnancy. Similarly, women struggling with fertility may also need to turn to donors. For these couples, egg donation is a vital lifeline.

Expanding fertility

Fertility comes with nuance as a variety of factors can influence whether a woman can conceive, or even try again for another child. Egg quality is one of the core issues that can derail pregnancy goals. Opting to have eggs frozen is a smart solution that can be used for a multitude of reasons. From delaying conception to preserving fertility for people facing serious illnesses, and even giving the gift of parenthood to other couples, the process is a critical component of the family planning discussion.