As women in Canada increasingly face the pressure of balancing career ambitions with family planning, many are opting to freeze their eggs. This proactive choice often stems from a lack of fertility benefits offered by employers. Currently, 53% of Canadian companies do not provide any form of fertility coverage, which can leave women feeling unsupported as they navigate their reproductive options.
Shania Bhopa, a PhD candidate at McMaster University and an entrepreneur, made the decision to freeze her eggs at the age of 25. For Bhopa, this choice was not just about preserving her fertility; it was also about gaining the freedom to focus on her career and future. She had always known she wanted children but found herself at a crossroads when a conversation with her older sister during Christmas in 2022 prompted her to rethink her timeline for starting a family.
“I was 24 and not seriously considering having children,” Bhopa said. “But I realized that I didn’t want my career aspirations to conflict with my personal life down the line.”
Similarly, Deana Sdao also froze her eggs, navigating both the emotional and financial challenges that accompanied her decision. Unlike Bhopa, Sdao's employer provided fertility coverage, a significant factor that influenced her choice. “Without my employer's support, I likely wouldn’t have made this decision,” she stated, highlighting the critical role that workplace policies play in reproductive health decisions.
Maxime Billick's story echoes this sentiment. As she approached her 35th birthday, Billick felt the weight of her biological clock ticking down. She viewed egg freezing as a form of insurance against potential future regrets. “I felt like I was either going to spend that money on therapy down the road for missing the boat on having kids if I didn’t do it versus paying the money up front to have that slight insurance policy,” Billick explained.
The rising trend of egg freezing reflects a broader societal shift toward prioritizing women's reproductive autonomy. Freezing eggs can provide women the opportunity to delay childbearing while focusing on their careers and personal development. However, the lack of support from employers remains a significant barrier for many.
While some companies are beginning to recognize the importance of offering fertility benefits, the reality is that a substantial portion of Canadian women still find themselves without this crucial support. As more women like Bhopa, Sdao, and Billick take control of their fertility choices, they highlight the need for employers to adapt their benefits packages to better accommodate the needs of their workforce.
