At 36 years old, Beth who works in the strategy team of a global bank recently came out of a relationship and wanted to give herself insurance for the option to become a mother in the future.
Q: How did you make up your mind on going for fertility preservation treatment?
I think it was really about optionality. At the age I was at the time, I didn’t want to feel like in the next relationship I have to make up my mind in a year to have kids. I discussed it with my parents and they were super supportive and that really helped push me into action.
Q: How did you decide on the location, clinic and doctor?
I was looking at options in the United States and Hong Kong. I made a trip to the United States and had appointments there. But, at the end of the day, I felt it was too much of a hassle to travel and stay in the United States for treatment so I looked in Hong Kong. The main difference is that in Hong Kong, I have to be legally married to use my eggs, which is fine for me as I did not plan to become a single mother.
I actually did not know anyone else around me at the time who had undergone egg freezing before. To pick my doctor, I did an internet search and their name kept popping up. Hence, I decided to just go with it.
Q: What preparation did you and/or your partner make before you began?
I picked a time when it was very slow at work. I did it over Christmas break (last 2 weeks of the year).
Q: What were your major concerns going in and how did you overcome/manage them?
I didn’t have any major concerns going in.
Q: What side effects did you experience (if any) and how did you manage them?
I was very bloated and felt very tired throughout the two weeks – I had to take naps everyday. I just couldn’t work at all and I gained about 10 pounds.
The process of egg retrieval was okay. It hurt a little but went away overnight. I probably lost that 10 pounds over 2 months afterwards.
All those stigma you may be wary of is BS. It also makes it easier for your future partner because they also do not get as much pressure.
Q: What did you find surprising or unexpected during your journey?
I didn’t expect how tough it was to inject myself everyday. Mentally, it was more challenging than I thought.
The blood work also left bruises on my arm. I had to go in for blood tests every 2 days in the first week and then every day in the second week.
I didn’t expect it to be quite an emotional journey so looking back, I was glad I did not involve someone who I was not very committed with yet at the time.
I didn’t expect it to be quite an emotional journey…I was glad I did not involve someone who I was not very committed with yet at the time.
Q: How has the treatment impacted you and your partner?
I felt there was less pressure when you first started seeing someone.
Q: How have your plans on family building evolved (or not evolved) since the treatment?
We will try naturally first, if it does not work, we would consider using my frozen eggs.
Q: What advice do you have for women who are thinking of fertility preservation treatment for elective reasons?
I highly recommend anyone who can afford it to do it, just give yourself an option. All those stigma you may be wary of is BS. It also makes it easier for your future partner because they also do not get as much pressure.
