Taryn Williams is a busy woman. As the founder and CEO of multiple successful businesses, including WINK Models, The Right Fit, The Influencers Agency, and her most recent project #Gifted, she is no stranger to navigating challenges head-on. However, when she made the decision to start her fertility journey, she was faced with the demands of a successful career and the realisation that time waits for no one.
When Taryn reached her mid-30s, she shifted her focus from professional ambitions to seriously considering the possibility of motherhood. At 36, she started the process of freezing her eggs, navigating the emotional and logistical challenges that came with it. As she began to open up about her journey, she discovered the profound impact that sharing her story had on others.
Here, Taryn discusses her experience with egg freezing, the emotional complexities it brought to light, the importance of proactive fertility planning, and the strength found in community and support.
When did you start thinking about your fertility?
“I probably started thinking about fertility in my mid-30s. In my 20s, I was pretty sure I didn't want kids, and then it was ‘only with the right partner.’ I guess I just assumed I would because that's sort of how life works out. It wasn't until I was really still deeply focused on my career at probably 35 to 36 that I really thought I probably needed to start figuring out this whole ‘do I want to have a baby’ thing sooner rather than later.”
What were your expectations before beginning your fertility journey?
“I don't think I honestly had any expectations. I’d had friends who had been through IVF and struggled to fall pregnant and had spoken of the pain, frustration and expense. But I think because I'd compartmentalised it in my head to ‘just egg freezing’ (even though it's effectively much the same process, just without the fertilisation), I thought of it more as a medical procedure than an emotional one.”
What did your fertility journey look like?
“I went to see a specialist when I was about 35, did the tests, and signed off on doing a round of egg freezing. Then I got really tied up at work, got an offer for the acquisition of one of my companies, had to travel a lot, and was really stressed closing the deal. All of a sudden, fourteen months had passed, and I hadn't even started a cycle. Fail! I went back again, redid the tests, and completed a cycle.”
Can you identify any moments during your journey that clashed with your expectations?
“I think I would have been lost without my amazing naturopath, Leah Hechtman, and specialist, Bill Ledger. They were patient, pragmatic, and honest with me, making me feel like the whole thing was fine. I probably underestimated the emotional impact it would have – mainly just that it makes you consider if you want children, what your life will be like with or without them, what your personal relationships are like, and for me, what my relationship with work was like. I guess it just forces you to have a cold hard look at your life and where a child would fit in that.”
Medical Note: Emotional support is crucial for individuals undergoing egg freezing, as it can help them navigate the complex emotions surrounding fertility preservation, alleviate anxiety about the procedure and its outcomes, and provide reassurance during a potentially challenging time.
What was the most surprising thing that happened to you during this time?
“So many people, when I told them, opened up about their own stories with miscarriages, IVF, egg freezing, infertility and early menopause. I think once I made it safe for them to talk about it, people I've known for years and had no idea they'd experienced any of this shared these complex, sometimes very sad and harrowing stories with me. It brought me much closer to many people in my life.”
Medical Note: It is very common for the people around you to open up about their own experiences once hearing about your own. Most people feel safe and supported and sharing those stories can provide mutual understanding and encouragement.
What was the best or most rewarding thing that happened to you during this time?
“The number of people who reached out to me on social media, email or text to say they saw my stories and that it prompted them to see their doctor about egg freezing. Many people said they really had no idea about the statistics or the process and that their doctor had never spoken to them about it. They were too scared or embarrassed to start a conversation.”
What do you feel is the biggest misconception surrounding fertility?
“I think, honestly, the biggest misconception I had was that it's super easy to get pregnant. We spend all this time avoiding it, and then you learn the statistics, and it's wild!
I didn’t realise you could just freeze eggs when you were younger, and that made such a difference (because they are still of a good quality) that you could then still viably carry them at a much older age. I think it's really disappointing that many women aren't told this when we could be making much better decisions and taking control of our bodies and fertility to avoid stress or disappointment later on.”
Medical note: Egg quality plays a very important part in the success of assisted reproductive treatments like IVF and egg freezing - poor egg quality is usually a big factor when treatment isn’t successful for older women. By storing eggs that are younger and of good quality, you give yourself a much higher chances of IVF success, even when those eggs are implanted much later on in life.
There is no test available to determine an individual’s egg quality - the best indicator is someone’s age. We do know that egg quality is usually good during our twenties and early thirties and from the mid-thirties onwards we start to see this quality decline.
What was the most helpful thing you did for yourself during this time?
“I actually told most people – I'm a pretty open book! It meant that the people around me were aware of what was going on, could support me if I needed it, and could also just be a bit gentle with me. I also took everything off my plate that I could.
I cancelled unnecessary meetings, social activities, etc., not because I felt unwell but because I didn't want to feel stressed or stretched. I just wanted to be gentle and kind to myself. I outsourced everything, even more than I usually do (ha!) – I had meals delivered… the works. It just took any extra annoyance out of it, as you do need to make time for the appointments and tests.”
What advice would you give anyone who hasn’t yet gone down their fertility path?
“Get informed! I wish I'd frozen my eggs when I was 30, but it just wasn't talked about, and it wasn't even on my radar until I was about 34. Find out where you are currently at with your AMH and egg reserves and take action – then you have time on your side and knowledge is power.”
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for medical advice. You should speak with a medical professional if you wish to assess your fertility and before making any decisions about healthcare, including contraception.
