health
'Bold and ethical': doctors on AOC’s egg-freezing journey
In documenting the process, AOC is defying the right’s pronatalist narratives about motherhood and women’s careers
TL;DR
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) announced she is freezing her eggs and shared the process on Instagram.
- Conservative critics, including Allie Beth Stuckey and Andrew Kolvet, criticized AOC's decision, viewing it as a rejection of traditional motherhood and a contributor to declining fertility rates.
- Medical experts state that age 36 is not too late for egg freezing and that fertility does not drastically decline after age 35.
- The average age for egg freezing is nearly 35, with more women having children later in life.
- Doctors use the term 'advanced maternal age' instead of 'geriatric pregnancy' for births to mothers 35 and older.
- AOC views egg freezing as a way to feel more in control of her life and empower women.
- While a percentage of frozen eggs are not used, experts note this is often because women conceive naturally or decide not to proceed with IVF.
- Egg freezing provides peace of mind and more options for women, with low rates of regret.
- Critics like Katie Miller also linked AOC's decision to 'feminist lies' about career versus motherhood.
- The cost of egg freezing is substantial, with AOC paying out-of-pocket as her insurance does not cover it.