Welcome back to the Period Chats Podcast! Today we talk with Madeline Hollern about her experience with egg-freezing.

Madeline is the Executive Director and Brand Ambassador at Austin Monthly, and I had the privilege of meeting her at a Free People Movement event where we struck up a conversation about fertility and egg-freezing.

Madeline has known for a long time that she wants kids. After a recent break-up, she began to look in to the science behind egg-freezing.

Egg-freezing is also known as mature oocyte cryopreservation, and is a method that’s usually used to preserve a person’s ability to become pregnant in the future. Eggs are harvested from the ovaries so they can later be used in the process of in vitro fertilization as needed.

I was interested to hear the details of how Madeline’s journey was emotionally, financially (her health insurance didn’t cover any of it) and physically. She shares that in some of these ways it was taxing, but that she would absolutely do it again.

First, she was tested for her AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) levels, then given an ultrasound, and eventually given the opportunity to sign up when she was ready.

Madeline had a best friend that had just gone through the process, and some chips seemed to be falling in to place, so on 2-22-22 she felt like it was the perfect time to sign up and get started.

People born with eggs have a set amount of them for life. They usually release once a month, and things like being on birth control don’t preserve them. While we can support the health of the eggs we have by nutrition and lifestyle, we can’t add to the specific number our bodies have.

Ever the journalist, Madeline audio recorded the instructions during her visits to make sure she was doing her self-administration correctly. This included shots in the stomach area twice a day. She also went in for blood testing every 3 days and ultrasounds to check the follicles (eggs) which have to be the right size to be used in the freezing process.

Madeline ended up having to go through the preparatory stage twice, because the first time only 2 retrievable eggs were visible in the ultrasounds.

The second attempt included pre-treating with estrogen, and the day of the procedure they ended up with 8 eggs.

In this episode, we also touch on the topics of bedside manner, the importance of having community and support, and the dedication and schedule diligence it takes to keep up with having your eggs frozen.

Madeline shares that she now has more peace of mind knowing she has more options for the future.

I’m super thankful for this educational and inspiring conversation!

Make sure to follow Madeline on Instagram: @madelinehollern

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