How to freeze your eggs in Pakistan

In Pakistan, women often experience a unique pressure to navigate societal expectations around money, marriage, and motherhood within a narrow window of time. Many, like Rubab Shahid, initially focus on building their careers, assuming marriage will follow later.

Rubab, now 37, found herself a successful professional but still single. After years of dating, she realized that time was a critical factor. By age 38, she decided to explore fertility preservation. Her initial consultation with an IVF specialist was met with surprise and a suggestion to prioritize finding a partner over preserving her eggs, highlighting a societal judgment that often accompanies such decisions.

To demystify the process of egg freezing, Dr. Nida Najmi, an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aga Khan University, explains the science and practicalities. The first phase involves patient selection and consultation, where doctors assess overall health, medical history, and age, which is a primary determinant of egg quantity and quality. The ideal age range for egg freezing is between 25 and 40.

During the consultation, the "why" behind the decision is explored. This typically falls into two categories: social reasons, such as delaying pregnancy to focus on education or career, or medical reasons, like preserving fertility before cancer treatments or due to conditions affecting ovarian reserve. The process aims to separate the science from societal judgment, empowering women with knowledge about their reproductive options.

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Oh my God, if you do this, you will delay marriage even more. We can freeze your eggs, but why now? You’re still young. Find a guy!