Australian model and media personality Bec Judd has ignited a fascinating public conversation about fertility preservation and the emerging concept of parents freezing eggs for their children's future use. The thought-provoking discussion unfolded on the latest episode of her popular podcast, Vain-ish, where Judd and her co-host Jess Roberts delved into the practicalities and ethical considerations surrounding egg freezing.
Personal Experiences Spark Unconventional Idea
Jess Roberts opened the conversation by reflecting on her own fertility journey, expressing gratitude for having conceived her three children naturally without medical intervention. However, her perspective shifted dramatically after witnessing a close friend's heartbreaking struggles with infertility. This personal connection to fertility challenges prompted Roberts to consider an unconventional approach: freezing her own eggs not for her own potential future use, but specifically as a potential resource for her daughters.
"Seeing my friend struggling to get her eggs," Roberts explained on the podcast, "I would hate for my children to go through that and I thought to collect my eggs ... it would be for my daughters. If they do struggle to get pregnant, and they go through IVF and their egg quality is not good."
"Mumma's Got Some Eggs"
Bec Judd, who shares four children with AFL legend Chris Judd, responded with a memorable quip that captured the essence of this maternal consideration: "Mumma's got some eggs." Roberts playfully expanded on this idea, envisioning a scenario where she could tell her daughters, "Mumma's got some eggs, like in a fridge ready for you."
Understanding Egg Freezing Technology
According to medical experts from IVF Australia, egg freezing represents a scientifically advanced method of preserving a woman's unfertilised eggs for potential future use. This technology allows women to attempt conception at a later stage in life when natural pregnancy might become more challenging. The process is particularly valuable for women who aren't ready to start a family immediately or whose fertility might be compromised by medical treatments like chemotherapy.
Modern cryopreservation techniques enable frozen eggs to remain viable for many years without significant quality deterioration. When a woman decides to use her preserved eggs, they undergo a careful thawing process before being fertilised with sperm. The resulting embryo can then be transferred to the uterus, offering a genuine chance of achieving pregnancy.
Medical Precedents Exist
The podcast episode featured special guest Dr Lynn Burmeister from the Fertility Queen podcast, who provided professional medical context to the discussion. While acknowledging that parents freezing eggs specifically for their children remains relatively uncommon, Dr Burmeister confirmed that such cases do exist in medical practice.
She shared a particularly poignant example involving a woman born with Turner Syndrome, a genetic condition that typically causes early menopause. "So her mother froze her eggs for her daughter to use later," Dr Burmeister revealed, demonstrating that this concept has moved from theoretical discussion to practical reality in certain medical circumstances.
Ethical Boundaries Explored
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Bec Judd posed a provocative question that generated both laughter and serious reflection among the podcast participants. "Would you give them to your son's wife?" Judd asked, extending the concept beyond maternal lines.
Roberts responded with immediate clarity: "No, because they would be inbred!" The biological implications suddenly became apparent to all participants, with Judd expressing shock at the realisation and declaring the idea "inappropriate." Roberts firmly confirmed, "No, I would not give them to my son," establishing clear ethical boundaries around this emerging fertility concept.
Common Questions About Egg Freezing
According to educational resources from Egg Freezing Australia, created by IVF Australia, several important questions frequently arise regarding fertility preservation:
Medical Conditions and Eligibility
Women with conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, or diabetes often wonder about their eligibility for egg freezing. Fertility specialists can conduct thorough assessments to determine how specific medical conditions might affect fertility and whether egg freezing represents a viable option under current medical guidelines.
Impact on Natural Fertility
A common misconception suggests that egg freezing might deplete a woman's natural egg supply or accelerate menopause. Medical experts clarify that the process actually preserves eggs that would otherwise be lost naturally during a woman's monthly cycle. Medication administered during a freezing cycle helps multiple eggs mature simultaneously, effectively rescuing eggs that would typically go unused.
Contraception Considerations
Many women question whether they can pursue egg freezing while using various forms of contraception. In most cases, methods like oral contraceptives, implants, or intrauterine devices don't interfere with the egg freezing process. Fertility specialists can tailor treatment plans to accommodate individual circumstances and contraceptive methods.
Eggs Versus Embryos
Prospective patients often debate whether to freeze unfertilised eggs or created embryos. Egg freezing offers greater flexibility for single women or those uncertain about future partners, while embryo freezing involves fertilising eggs with sperm before preservation and may better suit couples with established family plans. Frozen embryos sometimes demonstrate slightly higher success rates since they've already undergone fertilisation. Fertility specialists provide personalised guidance based on age, relationship status, and future family planning goals.
