My Egg Freezing Journey: Why I Chose to Look Beyond U.S. Clinics
When I decided to freeze my eggs, it felt like fertility clinics abroad were calling me from every direction. I kid you not! I trust in signs, and so many of them just fell out of the sky. I instinctively leaned into it. Everywhere I looked, information about international fertility clinics seemed to drop right into my lap. Everything I googled, researched, and found led me to clinics abroad.
Fast forward to 2023: I had moved to a new state, started a new role, and began questioning whether going abroad still made sense. The shift in my life made me reconsider my plans, especially as I settled into a new routine and environment.
The domestic option didn’t last long, though. Just days before my OBGYN appointment, the news broke about the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling on IVF. At that point, staying in the U.S. was no longer an option, or a risk I was willing to take. The uncertainty surrounding that ruling—hell, it still lingers—shattered any faith I had in staying in the U.S.
Beyond the legal challenges, I found many women of color from the U.S. had positive, thriving egg freezing and IVF experiences abroad. These clinics had higher success rates than most U.S. clinics, and, on top of that, they were more affordable. But let me be clear: going abroad is cheaper than in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean it’s “cheap.”
When considering what’s best for you, it’s essential to keep a few key elements in mind. For me, success rates, the quality of the experience, overall cost, and the "vibes" of the doctor were crucial. If you're going to be looking at my who-ha and harvesting my eggs, I think it's only fair that I enjoy your presence! Here are some things to think about when deciding what’s right for you:
Does your employer offer fertility benefits you can leverage? (If so, you might not be able to use this abroad—confirm with your provider.)
Egg freezing involves daily doctor visits for at least 10 days. Consider if you can take the time off to do this abroad, or if a local accommodation might suit you better.
Do you want someone to go with you? Do they have the time to take off for at least 10 days? If not, staying local might make more sense.
Do you live in a Red or Blue state? In today’s climate, this is something you must take into account as laws and rules continue to change. For more flexibility domestically, consider states like New York or California.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! The expenses can pile up quickly, so I can't stress enough how important it is to consider what bandwidth you have to absorb costs. Look at all the numbers and then add 15% for wiggle room.
Your fertility journey is yours to cultivate—do it your way and on your own terms. I hope this information is helpful… more to come, ladies!
Note: I’m not currently sharing the name of my clinic. I’m keeping this space sacred as I navigate my experience and will release information when I feel ready.
