The decision to freeze eggs is becoming increasingly common among women, with data indicating a clear trend towards younger individuals opting for the procedure. This shift is primarily fueled by a desire to take control of their reproductive future, mitigating the pressures of the "biological clock" while navigating personal and career aspirations.

One such individual is Catrina Matheson, 35, a businesswoman who returned to Australia after years working in Canada. Despite her desire to have children, Catrina is waiting for the right partner. A medical event at age 25, requiring the removal of her right ovary due to a tumor, further motivated her decision. "Egg freezing allows me to proactively protect my chance of motherhood at a reasonable cost, rather than facing greater risks and expenses later," she shared.

Statistics from Adora Fertility, an assisted reproductive system, show a nearly 50% increase in Australian women freezing their eggs between 2023 and 2025. Notably, the average age of this group decreased from 37 to 35, indicating that more women are acting earlier.

Doctor Charley Zheng, an obstetrician at Adora Fertility, observes that modern women are increasingly aware of the impact of age on egg quality. According to doctor Zheng, a woman aged 32 who freezes five eggs has a 55% chance of having a healthy baby. However, at age 38, this rate drops to just 26%. Therefore, the optimal time for the procedure is between 30 and 35 years old.

Anh minh hoa: New York Post

While offering a sense of control, experts caution that egg freezing is not a guaranteed insurance policy. The process requires significant physical and financial commitment.

A typical cycle lasts two to three weeks, involving daily hormone injections that can cause side effects such as bloating and mood changes. The cycle concludes with an egg retrieval surgery under anesthesia. Costs range from 4,000 to 10,000 USD per cycle, in addition to annual storage fees.

After thawing, eggs must still undergo several challenges, including successful fertilization, development into an embryo, and successful implantation into the uterus. "This procedure does not guarantee success for everyone. The success rate largely depends on underlying health and the number of eggs collected," doctor Zheng noted.

Nevertheless, for many, even a slim hope is worth pursuing. Emily's story from Sydney is a testament to this. She began freezing eggs at age 40 with a very low ovarian reserve, yielding only five eggs. Doctors estimated her chance of having a child at less than 5%.

"The doctor was very direct about the failure rate," Emily recounted. However, a miracle occurred when one of those few embryos successfully developed. She gave birth to her first son at age 45.

"The decision to freeze my eggs was the best thing I ever did. Sometimes, you only need one quality egg," the 45-year-old mother said with a smile.

The trend of single women freezing eggs is also flourishing in Vietnam. While comprehensive statistics are not yet available, major in vitro fertilization (IVF) facilities in Vietnam have reported a clear increase in clients over the past two years. At the Center for Reproductive Assistance and Tissue Graft Technology, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, the number of single women seeking egg freezing has rapidly risen in recent years, with the center receiving six to eight requests for the procedure each month.

The development of Vietnam's assisted reproductive technology industry has contributed to this trend. It is considered a million-dollar industry, with revenues of 132 million USD in 2022 and projected to reach 200 million USD in 2028, according to a report by Research and Market, an international market research company. Vietnam boasts over 50 IVF centers, all of which offer egg freezing services.

Nhat Minh (According to New York Post)