Freezing eggs is something that's becoming increasingly popular. Many women are taking steps to ensure that they'll be able to have children at some point in the future. While turning to specialized facilities dubbed "egg boutiques" seems like a step forward for womankind, can they actually be trusted?
According to Parents, the answer isn't straightforward. One NYC career woman, Jennifer Huang, 36, decided to freeze her eggs after the breakdown of a long term relationship. However, she said the entire experience was "cold and distant."
Huang later went on to partner up with Trellis, one of NYC's most prominent "egg boutiques." Together, they've created a space where women can go and have their eggs frozen in a place that seems more like a staycation than a medical procedure.
Trellis doesn't just offer bespoke fertility services but has an Instaworthy aesthetic, complete with a co-work space for those that want to get stuff done while they're there. Trellis isn't alone; more and more of these kinds of establishments are opening up, targeting the millennial market with their bright colours and modern approach.
Another company called Kindbody offers reduced rates, with a single cycle of egg freezing coming at $6,000. That's well below the standard price of around $10,000-$15,000. Much like Trellis, Kindbody pride themselves on providing a personal service that makes women feel at ease. While experts appreciate this new trend creating a safe, welcoming environment for career women or single women instead of couples, they have expressed some concern over practices.
For example, reproductive endocrinologist Paula Brady, M.D. says that a lot of places test for AMH, a heavily emphasized biomarker, but this should not be used as a single indicator of fertility. Instead, it should be used in conjunction with other information provided.
Brady also voiced concerns to Parents that women might be freezing their eggs under false pretenses. After all, eggs are just one part of the fertility puzzle, and just because you've saved some, doesn't necessarily mean you'll be able to fall pregnant at a later date.
All in all, experts don't completely veto these clinics but encourage women to do their research before having their eggs frozen.