Tips on Telling Your Family You are Freezing Your Eggs
Let’s face it. No matter how old we get, some topics will never get easier to talk about. Are you the type that still finds it difficult to discuss sex or your sexuality with your own family? If you answered yes, then it will most likely also be difficult for you to explain the decision to have your eggs frozen. Egg freezing may be a gateway into a series of questions about every aspect of your personal life. Your finances, your romantic relationship, or lack thereof, and most notably, your future and family plans are all issues that can arise.
You are not trying to play God. You are just making plans for a future that you maybe aren’t too sure about yet. One thing you might have confidence in is that you found a solution. Freezing your eggs is a decision that you have come to after you took the time to educate yourself on every aspect of the procedure. Below, we compiled some valuable advice from women who undergo the egg freezing process as well as some other facts that might help. We hope this prepares you to confidently be able of telling and sharing such a monumental decision of freezing eggs. Be it with your family and the people you love.
Have You Made A Final Decision on Egg Freezing?
When you are telling your family or loved ones about the decision of freezing eggs, it is good to have done your research. Be confident when speaking about the procedure, the initial stages, the egg freezing cost, the odds, the possible risks, and the terminology. Knowledge is power, and it can be handy when you are presenting a decision that may appear strange and scary to people you love. Another thing to consider and ask yourself is if you reached a final decision? Or, if you are telling them and asking for guidance or input?
It would be best if you were 100% clear on this. If you have made your mind up, be sure to remain firm, but also be ready to answer any questions they might have. If you haven’t, what parts of this decision are you unsure of? Which elements of the egg freezing procedure do you need to be counseled on?
Difficult Conversations Make It Real
Egg freezing can be an isolating thing to do alone. Everyone deserves to experience the type of support that is unquestionable. When you start thinking about this journey, it is essential to feel supported. Support can be found through several outlets, be it through friends, families, co-workers, therapists, or your fertility agency. You have reached the apex – Now, you are informing your loved ones that you have decided of freezing your eggs. Take it easy and relax; this discussion helps make it real!
Share What You Have Learned and What You Love.
Many women who have chosen to freeze their eggs report that the primary concerns of their families are that egg retrieval and cryopreservation process seems to be too experimental, and also a newer medical procedure. This is a golden opportunity to show everything you have learned when you are making this decision – the basic medical facts, the side effects and risks, and the present statistics. A common calming mechanism is to wrap your loved ones in a blanket of facts and input. Emphasize the positive aspects, while calming their concerned minds of the negatives. We need to remember that although scientists have been doing a lot of research on egg freezing for decades, it is not something that everyone is familiar with just yet.
As you tell them about your decision, your loved ones are also trying to understand the emotional aspects of it. It is essential for you to share these feelings if you are comfortable doing so. Perhaps you are not in a romantic relationship, and they are concerned about what the point is. They want to hear about other options, or maybe whether you are considering doing this alone. Perhaps you are still very young, and they think egg freezing is an unnecessary and risky decision. Try to explain it to them – share some of your dreams that egg freezing could help make a reality.
Conclusion
All in all, telling your loved ones and your family may still find it difficult to understand why you are opting the process of freezing your eggs, even after presenting all the facts and reasons. At this point, you’ll have to ask yourself, what exactly are you looking for? Are you seeking an agreement, an argument, or do you just need to inform them? Getting ready for the best, the worst, and anything in between will help to prepare you emotionally for this discussion. While over-preparation can cause a sense of nervousness, it is better to feel more prepared than not. Mentally get ready for disagreements or rebuttals.
Brainstorm things they may say or practice how you might need to react to different levels of dissent or support. The decision to freeze your eggs is yours and yours alone. It is your future you are looking to preserve, and no one’s opinion should stand in the way of that.
Please feel free to contact RSMC if you have any questions regarding Egg Freezing or your fertility. You can always also visit us at www.fertile.com or call 858-436-7186 to schedule a consultation.
