< Previous90 Chit Chat FROM WOMEN WHO’VE BEEN THERE “Every friend asked, ‘And will you use these eggs to have a baby on your own?’ You know what? I don’t know. And that’s the point. I’m buying time. I’m not supposed to know that answer yet.” —KATIE Egg freezing is an insurance policy. It’s far from a promise that all will go exactly as planned. You might not be able to use your eggs because they don’t survive thawing or do survive but can’t be fertilized into embryos. The odds vary depending on a lot of factors, but generally: If you freeze 10 eggs before age 35, your chances for one kid are around 70 percent. Egg freezing is easy. Egg freezing is not for everyone, and it’s not a decision to take lightly. It’s a nancial investment… and a physical and emotional one too. The cash you’re committing to the procedure, the side effects of the meds, the buzzing back and forth to the doctor’s of ce, the recovery…it all adds up. Going abroad is a good way to cut down on costs. You’ve seen ads luring you to tropical locales to freeze your eggs. And bundling a vacay with a less pricey procedure does sound like a great plan in theory. But medical treatments aren’t times to bargain shop, and you’d have to store your eggs abroad or have them shipped back—a gamble, per most docs. Three “truths” you’ve been told about egg freezing that are…false. MYTHFACT CHECK YOUR NEWISH PARTNER “My boyfriend and I were three months in and all of a sudden, I had, like, eight bombs to drop on him: I might be infertile! Because I might go through menopause early! So the kids thing might be now or never! Will you shoot me up with hormones twice a day? Also, we can’t have sex! He was—as I should have expected and run the other way if he weren’t—an unflappable partner. His view: I was taking care of myself and preserving my options for the future and there are zero bad things about that. Damn right.” —JESS Are any of those, um, stories true? What do I need to tell people? THE AVERAGE AGE OF WOMEN WHO FREEZE THEIR EGGS 35 TL;DR: As much or as little as you want to, but it’s a good idea to set yourself up for support. FYI TO YOUR FUTURE SELF Egg-freezing costs are just part one of the process. It could later cost more than $15,000 to turn your eggs into embryos and transfer them to your uterus. YOUR FRIENDS “I got Some Feedback when I shared my plan, and honestly, I should have clarified that I was looking for comfort, not opinions. I cooled things down by asking them to just hold off on the baby-fever TikToks for a while.” —MARIA YOUR MOM “True story: If you don’t imagine your mom being supportive, you don’t have to tell her. For me, I told mine the gist of what I was doing but also that no, I didn’t want to talk about potential grandchildren.” —GRACE YOUR JOB “I kept it short because I felt like my boss was not entitled to know the specifics of me being poked and prodded with needles and ultrasound wands. Instead, I informed her that I was dealing with a not-serious medical thing and that I’d need some flexibility for a few weeks. I also scheduled the day of my procedure off.” —NAOMI SOURCE: 2020 JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS STUDY91 Chit Chat What happens during the actual process? While it differs for everyone, here’s an example of what a cycle can look like. PREP APPOINTMENT Maybe you did a virtual consult or an at-home hormone panel already, but now that you’re Officially Freezing Your Eggs, you’ll head to the doctor for an appointment where they’ll do blood work (to assess your anti- Müllerian hormone, or AMH, level, which is an indicator of how many eggs you have) and a ultrasound to peek at the follicles in your ovaries. They’ll also write you a prescription for meds, give you a highly specific schedule for using them, and (whew) provide you with your plan for in-office follow- ups over the next two weeks. Oh, and be prepared for paperwork, including insurance forms, consent forms, storage forms, and plans for where your eggs would go if something happens to you or you decide you don’t want to use them. AND WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK? These, and we went ahead and got some answers for you. I have a medical condition. Can I even do this? Go to the MD who manages your condition first because they may need to approve you for treatment. If you’ve had cancer, for instance, make an appointment with your oncologist before you see a fertility specialist. Are there risks? Between 3 and 8 percent of women undergoing fertility treatment will develop moderate or severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, typically one to two weeks after their trigger shot. This is when your ovaries swell and leak fluid into the body. While painful, it’s rarely life-threatening. Do I need to get oû birth control? If you’re on the pill, you’ll need to stop taking it, since it prevents ovulation. Your IUD can stay, since it works differently. You can resume birth control about two weeks after the procedure. OF PEOPLE WHO SEEK FERTILITY CARE HAVE LITTLE OR NO FERTILITY COVERAGE 80 FROM WOMEN WHO’VE BEEN THERE “I felt like a pincushion and deünitely cried through my last few ultrasounds. I just wanted control of my body back.” —NINA SOURCE: FERTILITYIQ92 Chit Chat SO, ABOUT THOSE SHOTS Sigh, yes, there’s no avoiding it: Needles—and kind of a lot of them—are a necessary part of the process. At least once a day, you’ll be sticking yourself in the stomach, thigh, or butt (switching up injection sites can help minimize pain). It’s true that the shots may sting, but most of these needles are small and feel more like a pinch than a prick. You CAN do this. Everything kicks off at the beginning of your menstrual cycle. Starting now, you’ll be injecting yourself daily with meds— a follicle- stimulating hormone and possibly a luteinizing hormone— so you can produce multiple eggs. Now off-limits: alcohol, per many docs (boo), plus exercise—a side effect of hormone drugs are “friable” (aka prone to bleeding) ovaries that physical activity could cause to painfully twist. Another day, another shot (or multiple shots) and possibly some bruising. Icing the area for a few minutes before and after each injection can help. More estrogen + maturing eggs = your body getting ready to ovulate. Which is why you’ll now introduce a new med (a gonadotropin- releasing hormone antagonist) into your routine to prevent that from happening too soon. IF YOU HIT A SNAG Your prescreening should have flagged any potential issues, but if your follicles aren’t progressing, your doctor might decide that you should “cancel” this cycle. It’s rare, though, occurring only 5 percent of the time. IF THE WHOLE NEEDLE THING IS REALLY FREAKING YOU OUT You can always tap your clinic to do it for you. Just remember that you’re gonna have to go to them unless, of course, they offer at-home visits for a fee (which some actually do). THE NUMBER OF CYCLES, ON AVERAGE, IT TAKES FOR A WOMAN TO GET ENOUGH EGGS 2 Some folks will be totally fine at this point, but others might start feeling the effects of the medications— think: bloating, headaches, nausea—so if all you want to do is eat Cheetos and watch YouTube, absolutely go for it. Back to the doctor! You’ll be going for check-ups, typically in the mornings, about every other day so your MD can keep an eye on your estrogen, maybe adjust your meds, and monitor the growth of your follicles. DA Y 1 DA Y 6 DA Y 3 DA Y 4 DA Y 293 Chit Chat It’s trigger time, which your doctor determines by measuring your follicles (they should each contain one egg and be about the size of a grape; depending on your body and age, you may have between 5 and 20 mature eggs). This shot, usually a dose of human chorionic gonadotropin, signals it’s almost ovulation time. Egg retrieval will happen about 36 hours after your trigger shot At the clinic, you’ll gown up, settle in stirrups, and be put under for the best nap of your life, during which an ultrasound wand with a long needle will be inserted into your ovaries to retrieve your microscopic eggs. The results are in: You’ll know how many eggs were retrieved and how many were mature enough to freeze. If you’re around age 30, you’ll generally want at least 10 eggs banked for every future kid you hope to have. Some women will hit that number in a single cycle; others might need to repeat the process. You’re probably (definitely) pretty crampy and bloated (constipated too). Tylenol and a heating pad should help. If you’re up for it, a little light activity is okay! By this time next week, you’ll be well on your way to fully recovered. *IT’S NOT ACTUALLY OVER, SORRY! A FEW FINAL TO-DOS. cleanse your feed Tired of all the egg-freezing ads following you around on all your accounts? Teach the social media overlords that you’re over it by hiding ads when they pop up and unfollowing all those fertility companies. GET READY FOR NEW FEELS From here on out, you might find yourself evaluating romantic prospects (and possibly even your current partner?) through the lens of, “Does this person deserve my eggs?” It’s okay if sometimes the answer is…no. PAY YOUR EGGS’ RENT Make sure you keep all your info updated with your cryobank. This is one bill you definitely don’t want lost in the mail—or worse, accidentally winding up in debt collection. Once that’s done, your last official task: Take a deep breath and relax for a while!!! DA Y 30 FROM WOMEN WHO’VE BEEN THERE “I haven’t used my eggs yet, but I feel so glad to have them. Whether I choose to use them or I don’t, both are the right answer. And the option is mine.” —MEGHAN DA Y 15 DA Y 14 DA Y 13 DA Y 8 Now’s the moment to book a buddy to accompany you home from your procedure next week, which, good news, takes less than an hour. You’re going to be groggy after the anesthesia, and an escort (who will also hopefully show up with your favorite comfort treat) is required for you to leave the premises. While you’re at it, plan for a potential PTO day next week too. DA Y 11 And a er it’s all over*? THE RISE IN U.S. EGG-FREEZING CYCLES BETWEEN 2014 AND 2019 165% SAY HELLO TO OUR VERY EXPERT PANEL OF EGG-FREEZING EXPERTS Nataki Douglas, MD, PhD, chair of the Modern Fertility Medical Advisory Board • Aimee Eyvazzadeh, MD, reproductive endocrinologist in San Ramon, California • James Grifo, MD, PhD, director of NYU Langone Fertility Center • Tia Jackson-Bey, MD, reproductive endocrinologist at RMA of New York • Tiffanny Jones, MD, reproductive endocrinologist at Conceive Fertility Center • Richard Paulson, MD, director of USC Fertility • Fahimeh Sasan, MD, founding ob-gyn at Kindbody • Emily Seidler, MD, reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF Two-ish weeks after your procedure You’ll get your period. One expert referred to it as “the period from hell,” but your next one should be back to normal. On the upside, exercise is back on the table again. SOURCE: CDC ART DATATR A VEL Big-budget weddings were so pre-pandemic. In this economy, we’re more intentional about cash, and that means spending that hot-station- buffet money on an all-in, weeks-long vacay with your lawfully wedded lover instead, simply because life can be a dumpster fire. Hot-air balloon rides not optional. BY K R I ST Y A LP E R T Honeymoons are back, but they’re actually megamoons this time 94The Vibe: The City of Love I mean, we couldn’t possibly mention honeymoons without mentioning Paris, could we? For those seeking discreet, romantic glamour while still wanting to experience the buzz of an iconic city, this is the escape for you. With undulating balconies overlooking the bustling interchange of Paris’ Left Bank, charming period features coupled with tech-savvy rooms, and an unrivalled view of the Eiffel Tower, Hotel Lutetia brings a new level of luxury to the sixth arrondissement. The Vibe: Endless Summer Honeymooners looking for a design- forward property in the middle of everything cool, the West Hollywood Edition is a whole vibe. The restaurants in the hotel restaurant skews heavily towards vegan and vegetarians with plant-based takes on all your favourite classics, plus a chic Jungalow interior theme to match it’s exitarian- friendly menu. Situated slap bang in the middle of Sunset Boulevard, you’re also in good stead for exploring the city. The heart of Hollywood is just a 10-minute drive away, while the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice are a half-hour drive. 1 2 95 TravelThe Vibe: Safaris and Suntans Grab your other half and book it from the bush to the beach with Alluring Africa’s eight-night vacation package in South Africa and Seychelles. You’ll y into Johannesburg and start with four nights at the Singita Lebombo Lodge in Kruger National Park, where you’ll sip sundowners (aka sunset happy hour cocktails) over the N’wanetsi River after days spent gawking over wild lions and knobby-kneed giraffes. Your next four nights on Mahé Island at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles will involve massages, mango mocktails, and many, many midnight dips—skinny or otherwise— in your private plunge pool. The Vibe: Sekt and Castles A little German lesson: “burg” means “castle,” and “sekt” is code for “sparkling wine.” And your sekt- lled German fairy tale begins at the Schlosshotel Kronberg— Empress Victoria’s former digs—outside Frankfurt for a few glam nights before driving south for a three-night stay at 11th-century Burg Hornberg on the vineyard-lined Neckar River. Spend a spa day at Thermen & Badewelt Sinsheim to sauna and swim as you two please (e.g., nude and with booze) or day-trip it to explore romantic Heidelberg’s vineyards, castle, and cafés. From there, you’ll sleep a night à la Rapunzel at the Hotel Burg Trendelburg (thought to be the story’s OG inspiration), ending with three regal nights along the Moselle River at the picturesque Schloss Lieser. The Vibe: Private Island and Jet Skis You and your boo can scope out all of Curaçao’s 35-plus beaches during your romantic stay if you travel by Jet Ski, but it’d be much more fun to hit one a day on your monthlong stint in paradise, no? A single week on this Dutch Caribbean island isn’t enough to explore its pastel- colored shops or hidden coves and inlets, but we’ll excuse a shorter stay as long as enough stroopwafels and champagne bubbles are consumed. Choose your villa at Baoase Luxury Resort based on your favorite private pool type—tropical, plunge, or innity—or just casually opt for your own private island at the resort’s exclusive Isla Kiniw. 3 4 5 96 TravelThe Vibe: Middle East and Middle of Nowhere Dividing up the ight to the Maldives with a weeklong stopover in Dubai is just good math. Sultry Arabian nights inspired the palatial suites at Jumeirah Al Qasr. The hotel is just steps from Dubai’s classic souks, abras, and beaches, but you two will need to head farther out to the Aura Skypool Lounge to solve the ultimate equation: 360-degree innity pool + cocktails + views of The Palm = X (X being total bliss, duh). Hop by plane and boat to the remote Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island, where your only agenda will be to capture the perfect handholding leap into the crystal sea outside your overwater villa. The Vibe: Whisky and Sleeper Cars Do you need matching tweed luggage for this Agatha Christie–esque rail ride? Why, yes. Yes, you do. Grab your better half and board the Belmond Royal Scotsman train in Edinburgh and check in to your private sleeper cabin for a seven-night journey through the Scottish countryside. Head to the spa carriage for a massage synchronized with the sway of the train, hit up the mahogany- clad dining car for multicourse meals, or cuddle up in the observation car for a wee dram with live music. You’ll spend plenty of time off-train for excursion extras too, like stargazing and picnicking in the Highlands. The Vibe: Villas and Vistas Reserve that two-seat convertible early for the ultimate Barbiecore honeymoon (dream houses included) along California’s Pacic Coast Highway. The luxed-out homes with AvantStay make perfect multi-night stops along this gorgeous 656-mile route—concierges for each property do the fridge stocking and planning for you, including booking hot-air balloon rides and wine tastings in Sonoma, private-chef dinners in Paso Robles, and in-home spa treatments in San Diego. Drive north to south for peak coastline peeping, and plan to pause for brunch at Stationæry in Carmel-by-the- Sea for over-the-top avocado toast or caviar and kettle chips. 1. Hotel Lutetia 2. West Hollywood Edition 3. An AvantStay rental in California 4. The Schlosshotel Kronberg 5. Singita Lebombo Lodge 7. Dubai’s Aura Skypool Lounge 8. The Royal Scotsman train 9. One of Curaçao’s many beaches 9 7 8 97 TravelY’all are going deep on this very important form of communication. BY A N N A B E L I W E G B U E How many long-term group chats are you currently in? 65% 2 to 5. 28% More than 5. 7% Just 1! And how many people are in most of them? 48% A crew of around 5 to 10 45% About 3 or 4 7% More than 10 Have you actually met all the people in your chats in person? 82% Yep, almost all are also my IRL friends. 12% Most of them, although there’s the occasional friend of a friend I’ve never seen face-to-face. 6% I’m in at least one chat with people I’ve only met online. What platform do you usually use? 59% Text messaging 29% WhatsApp 6% Facebook 6% Instagram, Twitter, or something else What type of group chatter are you? 46% I’m not constantly posting, but I like to be a part of the convos. 28% Super active. I’m the one making plans and dropping memes. 14% The “haha” reactor = me. 12% I’m definitely more of a lurker. Does the ease of group chats make you less likely to set up in- person plans? 70% No, I still really value in-person meetups. 20% Sometimes.... 10% It makes me less motivated to carve out time to hang. Do you have any close friends who are not in one of your group chats? 40% Yes! And it’s refreshing. 37% Nope, my friends are all tapped into the same chats. 23% Yes, and it can get annoying to keep up with them separately. In general, do group chats simplify or complicate your friendships? 52% Simplify—life is busy, and they’re a good way to consolidate conversations. 28% I mean, they do tend to invite unnecessary drama. 20% I don’t feel that they affect my friendships that much. Finally, what’s your overall take on chats? 49% They’re fun but not essential. 38% They’re lifesaving! 13% They kinda stress me out. LEIRE C AVIA/ ST OCK SY UNITED (2) . GET T Y IMA GE S. You + your Group Chat 98 YouVisit one of the participating restaurants to be part of the “ DINE . FEED . EDUCATE” campaign. Your support will be directed towards Dubai Cares’ school feeding programs. DINE . FEED . EDUCATE Supporting Partner IACAD Permit No. PRHCE-000318472 ﺢﻳﺮﺼﺘﻟا ﻢﻗرNext >