Lessons from a Bachelorette

     So those of you that know me know that I love reality T.V. and am also a sucker for a good love story.  So put two and two together and you have one heck of a Bachelor/Bachelorette fan.  Now normally I'm not a fan of people going on these shows and then using it to turn their five minutes of fame into 20.  However, I have thought all along that the most recent bachelor, Chris Soule's fiance, Whitney Bischoff is a class act ( I don't want to call her the "winner" because I believe in the fairy tale:))  I continue to think even more so after she has come forward publicly to share that she had some of her eggs frozen a couple of years ago (You can read/watch full story here: http://www.people.com/article/bachelor-whitney-bischoff-chris-soules-fiancee-froze-eggs)
     The media is always out to shed everything in a light that will attract the most attention.  I've seen articles stating how desperate she is to tricking Chris into having a baby, how she's using this to get her time in the spotlight while Chris is on DWTS, etc.  However, I think most, if not all of us that have traveled down the infertility road see this in a completely different light.  This woman who has seen first hand the devastation that infertility can cause to couples has taken the initiative to be proactive to protect her dream of becoming a mother someday.  Like she said, its sort of like an insurance policy.  Angelina Jolie just came forward encouraging those with family histories of genetic diseases, cancers, etc. to get tested and take proactive measures to ensure their health.  This is the exact same thing that Whitney Bischoff has done and is encouraging others to do as well.
     The bottom line is that a woman's maximum fertility is in her 20's and begins to decline in her 30's, particularly after the age of 35.  Women now-a-days are more career driven (which is a good thing!) and often waiting until later in life to have kids.  For whatever reason a woman doesn't have a baby in her 20's but does want to be a mom some day, shouldn't she be given a way to secure that for herself and her future family?  You also never know what curveballs life is going to throw at you (us Gore's know that all too well!) and having some of your eggs frozen is just another precaution if something were to happen healthwise.
     We ,know all too well that these procedures are expensive and not covered by insurance.  I know most people don't have a spare $7,000-$15,000 lying around to spend on freezing eggs.  However, if you are someone that does want to have a family one day and just aren't there right now in your stage of life, then it really may be something that you at least visit with a doctor about and get more information.  If it comes to needing them later down the road, that investment will be priceless.
     One of the main purposes of this blog is shedding light into the infertility world.  Knowledge is power and if my words empower at least one individual than it has served its purpose.  Thank you Whitney Bischoff for being a voice for infertility prevention.  Your knowledge will most certainly be power to at least one family out there and without ever knowing it, you will have changed their lives for the better.