OMG!
WTF?
ITRAGTFWATW?! (NB. this acronym is all my own)
Facebook and Apple are offering to pay for female employees to freeze their eggs. In a move to combat societal panic around the dangers of leaving motherhood too late and the poor success rates of IVF amongst those in their thirties and forties, it’s being billed as a chance for women to put their twenty year old eggs on ice and keep on working.
Whether this represents a generous gesture towards equality in the workplace or a Machiavellian move towards social engineering is a moot point as far as I’m concerned. The more important question is: WILL IT BLOODY WORK?
To date, there just hasn’t been enough of it done to know, and most of what has been done hasn’t been successful. Moreover, nobody really has any idea about the health risks. Just read this article by the author and journalist Miriam Zoll who is passionate about raising awareness on the subject.
So, ok, I realise my new acronym may never catch on but we’ve got to ask the question in case this egg freezing perk does. Is This Really A Good Thing For Women And The World?! ITRAGTFWATW?!
Two things spring to my mind most. Firstly, egg harvesting (whatever the reason) should not be taken on lightly. Personally I found it the most agonising experience of my life. This was both physically and emotionally. To have something removed from you that nature never intended to be removed in that form, is very distressing, hugely undignified and incredibly painful!
Secondly I find it very irritating that some people look on fertility as all about your eggs! Most people reading your blog will know that it really isn’t that simple. You could put your health at risk and put yourself through the harrowing process, only to find there is some other sub-fertility issue that will prevent you and your partner conceiving. I am sure this topic will provoke much debate but for me it almost makes a mockery of those of us who didn’t have the luxury of choice. Sorry, rant over!
Pippa x
Absolutely agree. Was on the radio yesterday where a Harley Street doctor described it as an ‘insurance policy’. Makes me so mad and sad because it absolutely isn’t. Like you say there are so many other factors at play, and also has to be said that 2/3rds of IVF rounds are unsuccessful and most people who are perfectly able to conceive naturally still don’t get pregnant on every cycle. Lovely to hear your rant. I love a good rant myself. Hope you’re doing ok. Jessica x
Terrible, egg freezing does not mean you will get a baby. Women are being mislead. So is society. Very sad.
Totally agree. But it’s generated so much discussion/backlash from the women that know that hopefully Apple, Facebook and their employees will think it through more carefully. Many thanks for your comment, it’s great to hear from you. Jessica x
Great post, flower – just back from a weeks hols and will comment tomorrow when unpacked and more with it. Hope all ok with you – hope to catch up soon Dx
Sent from my iPhone
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oooh hope you’ve been somewhere nice. Yes, def let’s catch up soon. Jessica x
I hope your acronym goes viral! thanks for sharing some important data!
With that many letters I doubt it, but thank you! And for inspiring me to write the blog in the first place! Jessica x
I also agree with the other comments. Egg freezing does not guarantee a baby (same as IVF does not guarantee one). And this should be clearer than it has been made. I think women should be encouraged to check on their fertility even just with some basic tests. And eventually doing egg freezing if they wish. But I don’t like the idea of them being encouraged to freeze eggs as if it were a magic solution.. x
Totally agree. I was at an event at the weekend where someone suggested that women should be given fertility screenings in their early twenties as a matter of course which would be a great idea. Have been thinking of you since your last blog and hoping everything is ok. Jessica x