Fertility preservation is one of the treatments that is experiencing the greatest growth and demand. Factors such as the delay in the age of motherhood or greater knowledge about our reproductive health have encouraged many women to freeze their eggs and be able to use them in the future if they decide to try to get pregnant. At IGIN we wanted to get to know one of those women who have opted for this option: Esti Prieto.
Esti is very well known on Instagram, where comparte diariamente publicaciones sobre estilismo y moda. En su cuenta compartió también los progresos de su tratamiento de preservación, que realizó en IGIN. Esas publicaciones generaron mucho interés y preguntas sobre fertilidad entre sus seguidoras. De hecho, para darles respuesta, Esti realizó un cuestionario en vídeo a nuestro director médico, el doctor Iñigo Davalillo. Ahora se pone al otro lado de la mesa para compartir sus impresiones sobre esta técnica de vitrificación gracias a la que ha preservado su capacidad de ser madre si alguna vez se lo propone en el futuro.
Question: Esti, what made you decide to preserve your fertility?
Answer: Hello! I had been thinking about it for a while and the truth is that I never made up my mind. I have always said that I am not one of those women whose dream in life is to be a mother, but I do recognize that on the one hand I would like to, and since maybe right now is not the time, but I am, let’s say, in the last minute, for me it was the best option at this point in my life.
Q: What do you consider to be the most positive aspects of the process? And the negative aspects?
A: The most positive thing about the process has been the way the entire staff treated me and challenging me in some way to achieve the goal I had set for myself. The negative thing, in my case in particular, was that of the two punctures we did, the first was “white” and we didn’t get anything and it was something that demoralized me a little for a couple of days, because I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do it.
Q: How did you handle the medication issue at home? Did you notice any significant changes?
A: The first few days of taking the medication are nerve-wracking because of the fear of doing it wrong, spilling something, etc. As for changes, the only thing I noticed was swelling for a few days, but emotionally it hasn’t affected me at all.
Q: Was the surgery on the day of the puncture uncomfortable?
A: No, nothing at all. As if they hadn’t done anything at all to me.
Q: Do you think there is enough general knowledge about delaying the age of motherhood and the problems it can cause?
A: Absolutely. There is more and more awareness about fertility and this is an issue that concerns us more. Nowadays, the age of having children is being delayed more, either for work, economic or personal reasons. That is why I think that many women consider this option, since it gives you more peace of mind in that regard.
Q: What can reproductive medicine centres do to improve women’s knowledge on this topic?
A: I think that today the best way to reach people is through social media because the vast majority of us use it daily not only for entertainment but also to obtain information and to learn about the situation of other people who may be going through the same thing.
Q: Is there a certain taboo surrounding assisted reproduction centres? Why do you think people keep their reproductive health so confidential?
A: Yes, I think there is. In my opinion, and based on what I talk to many people who write to me through my Instagram profile and who are honest with me, I think it is for two main reasons: the pressure exerted by people around us (often unconsciously) when they know that someone is undergoing assisted reproduction, and on the other hand, a certain shame or hesitation in admitting that they may have difficulties with their fertility.
Q: Now that you have experience in the process, would you change anything about it?
A: Honestly, I wouldn’t change or improve anything. The only thing I thought during the process was: instead of injecting ourselves, couldn’t we just do this with a pill and that’s it? But that can’t be changed, that’s just how it is, but it’s the only thing I’ve ever thought: I wish we didn’t need to take medication by injection.
Q: Any advice for other women interested in preservation?
A: I would tell all women to get informed and have a fertility study done. They can make decisions based on that because age is not always in our favour. There are many women who, as they are still 30 years old or younger, do not consider it, but if they are sure that they want to be mothers, it is extremely important that they have a fertility study done. And for those who are over 35, if they have the slightest doubt, they should consult one. There are many women who regret not having done this in time.