Annie is a sales associate working fully remote in Singapore for an US Ad-tech company and she travels frequently in the region for work. She is familiar with the topic of egg freezing as many of her close friends have undergone the treatment.
Q: When did you start looking into egg freezing and what pushed you into action?
My mother first brought up the topic a few years ago. At the time, I was already living in Singapore and didn’t see my family in Taipei that often. I was engaged and thought I had all this perfect plan for my life ahead of me. That relationship did not eventually work out and every time I went home afterwards, my mom would ask me if I had considered egg freezing.
In Taiwan, the treatment is very popular and it is not as much of a taboo to talk about it. Increasingly, I have some close friends, who were not married or had kids, did it and shared their experiences with me.
What really triggered me into action was when I was in Taipei visiting family last year and while working in a cafe, I overheard two friends talk about egg freezing right next to my table. One was holding a baby and the other was saying that she was interested in freezing her eggs and her friend was so supportive.
I immediately just started looking up clinics on my laptop and filled out the online forms. The first clinic that called back was the one I picked. I just went to the clinic where I got to book the earliest appointment before I headed back to Singapore.
Q: How did you decide on the location, clinic and doctor?
I did it in Taipei because my mom can cook for me, I can get good protein and the quality of care is good. The prices for the treatment across the clinics I researched were more or less the same. I found out later that the founder of the clinic that called back first after my online inquiry was the first doctor that did IVF in Taiwan. The clinic is in the most expensive commercial building in Taipei and the nurses are very supportive. They gave me a lot of instructions like what to eat more so I didn’t worry so much. The overall environment was very warm and obviously my mom helped a lot by providing a lot of emotional support. She went with me for my consultations and on the surgery day.
Q: What preparation did you make before you began?
After I did the initial tests, we found out that my AMH level was low for my age. The doctor asked about my lifestyle and prescribed some supplements for me for that.
My work is very busy this year but I told myself this is something that I needed to check the box this year. I needed to plan when I would have the time to go back to Taipei for this for three weeks and the time also has to sync with my period cycle. I tracked my period very closely for about a year. Eventually, I only found time to do it in August 2023, a year after my initial consultation.
Q: What was on your mind going into the treatment?
The only thing that was slightly difficult was at the start of the cycle consultation where the doctor did the ultrasound to examine my ovaries, he said at the maximum I could get 5 eggs. My friends were all getting 15 to 22 eggs. Although he already told me last year that my ovarian reserve was low, I still didn’t expect it to be as low so I cried. My mom reminded me that it’s all about the quality and said it’s ok. That’s the first time I was a bit emotional – I don’t recall the last time I cried in front of my mom. I also felt very bad because my mom asked whether my ovarian reserve was determined at birth and I think she thought she had caused it.
On the 3rd day of the hormonal treatment cycle, I went back to the second consultation. My doctor told me that 4-5 follicles reacted and then I got very frustrated. I think one thing that helped a lot is that my company paid for my egg freezing. Because of that, it really took the financial stress away even though fertility treatments in Taipei are already very affordable.
One thing that helped a lot is that my company paid for my egg freezing. Because of that, it really took the financial stress away
Everyone’s experience is a little different.
Q: How was your experience throughout the hormonal treatment cycle?
My friends shared that I could be hormonal and it could be tough but I did not find it painful; I did prep my parents for the getting emotional part.
The trigger shot is supposed to be very painful but I did not feel that much. The nurse and my friends gave me a heads up on the needles. I did the shots myself at around 4.30pm every day where I don’t have meetings at that time. Even though for the first shot I was unsure what to do, I eventually got them done in a minute.
I love playing mahjong and I remember one weekend my friend was like, “meet me at 3pm for the game” so I brought the needles to my friend’s place and put it in the fridge and played and then when it was time, did the shot at my friend’s bedroom.
I had a different experience from my friend who also did it in Taipei – my doctor told me to transfer the solution from the injection pen into a normal needle so I got 10ml more medication each time.
Q: What did you find surprising during your journey?
The egg retrieval was very very fast. I was not feeling nervous. I went into the ops room all changed and I was laying on the bed and before I passed out from general anesthesia – I saw on the wall clock it was 1.25pm. 1.55pm was the time I sent the first message out. It was very fast.
During the treatment cycle, I went back to the clinic every other day to do a blood test and ultrasound which was quite time consuming because it takes 4 hours each time. I would do the blood test before lunch, and then I lunch and afterwards I get the lab results, and then the doctor would adjust my dosage.
Q: What side effects did you experience?
The only gross thing was that the doctor placed a lot of gauze dressing in my vagina and asked me to take them out in 2 hours after the retrieval procedure. I had to quart and get it out and it was so long.
I was bloated and gained about 1.5 kg which I thought was quite minor. The first 2-3 days after the retrieval operation, I felt like I really wanted to pee but only peed very slowly. It took time for me to gain control but went away after 2-3 days.
The idea of not having kids would sadden me. It’s a question you have to ask yourself first
Q: What did you think about the outcomes and what are you planning next?
Eventually I got five eggs and when I found out I was very happy. The doctor said they were all good quality and usable and I am planning to do another cycle again in November or December. I am still taking supplements right now. The only unfortunate part is the quantity bit but I am grateful that it was paid for and the process has no obstacle.
I asked my doctor if doing two rounds of hormonal treatments would increase the chances of cancer. I didn’t get a very conclusive answer from my doctor. It somewhat worries me – I still don’t know how I feel about the risk I need to take. However, in my first round I only got five so it’s a no-brainer for me to do another round.
Q: What advice do you have for women who are thinking of fertility preservation treatment for elective reasons?
DO A FERTILITY TEST
I always ask my girlfriends to do a blood test to know about your AMH level first. It’s good to have information regardless.
THINK IF HAVING KIDS IS VITAL TO YOU
I know friends who are very indifferent but for me, I desperately want to have kids. Not now but the idea of not having kids would sadden me. It’s a question you have to ask yourself first, and then think about the financial part. Even if I did not have the company coverage, I would still do it.
HAVE A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM
Share with your friends. My mom and housemate were my supportive system. I could text my housemate and ask her if what I was going through was normal.
OVERCOME YOUR MENTAL BARRIER
Once you decide to do it, really suck it up because expect there to be some surprises and some emotional roller coasters, especially if you are alone. Don’t stress about it. Most people do not have experience of injecting themselves but it is not that hard.
