“I decided to pursue egg freezing while I was in film school. I was just starting out in my career as a writer, director and producer, but being very much single at the time, I wasn’t entirely sure if I wanted children in the future. However, I also knew that waiting too long could potentially take the choice away from me.” 

Whilst unsure about motherhood, Sophia had no questions or uncertainty about her passion for filmmaking.

“I was eager to unpack my own complex feelings about motherhood through film, having candid conversations with women about their experiences—whether they wanted to be mothers or not—and to vividly depict the physical and emotional toll of the egg freezing process. I wanted to spotlight what women go through, often delaying having children in order to prioritise their careers without being penalised by biology.”

“I also wanted to give men a glimpse into the – often constant - emotional and physical turmoil surrounding that decision, as well as the extreme measures women have to take to buy themselves more time.”

And this is where HCA Healthcare UK’s Lister Fertility Clinic in Beaconsfield came in. 

Welcome to Buckinghamshire

Located near to where she was studying at The National Film and Television School, Sophia had already heard from friends about Lister Fertility Clinic’s satellite clinic in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. 

But what is a satellite fertility clinic? Ultimately, this is a facility built with convenience in mind. Designed so that patients can access clinics outside main city hubs can for check-ups, these often reduce patients’ travel time, and make it easier to attend the various preparation appointments needed before undergoing the main egg retrieval procedure. Usually, a satellite clinic does not have a laboratory, so will most often be the place where scans and blood tests are performed. For Beaconsfield patients, they will then travel to The Lister Hospital in Central London for egg collection and embryo transfer procedures. 

The Beaconsfield satellite clinic provided a convenient and accessible option for Sophia. Attending all her initial appointments locally, but with the reassurance of a seamless transition to Central London for the main procedure, this setup ensured continuity of care and a seamless patient experience staying within HCA UK rather than being referred out.

“Proximity to where I was living was really important as coming in and out for check-ups and blood tests can take time – especially whilst studying and working. The Beaconsfield satellite clinic made egg freezing accessible – essential for those with a busy career - making the process unquestionably easier for me personally.” 

“The team there made me feel confident and comfortable right from the start. Both the doctors and Jacky, the nurse, were incredibly friendly, supportive and approachable. Jacky, in particular was amazing - always just a phone call away with advice, or even just for a chat, which made the whole journey feel so much more human, personal and reassuring.”

The egg freezing process

Documenting the day of the egg retrieval, the film shows Sophia undergoing sedation. Ultrasound images are used to guide a long, thin needle into the ovarian sacs, also called follicles, to harvest the eggs, before she wakes up and finds out just how many eggs were able to be collected. 

“The time and space of filming allowed me to realise that maybe I don’t want children, but then again, that’s maybe because I think about it a lot and often change my mind. However, being able to go down this route has given me the chance to keep my options open and take control of my future on my own terms.”

Concluding thoughts

“When you think about egg freezing, it’s about taking control over something that, for so long, has felt beyond women’s control. That sense of empowerment - knowing that I’ve done what I can to create choices for myself has been invaluable, regardless of the decision I eventually make.”

“Sadly, we still live in a world that questions women about the fertility choices, and which makes them feel old before they’ve even had the chance to fully start their careers. Building a career in the arts in particular takes time, and often it’s only when a woman’s career begins to bloom that society expects her to stop and have a baby.” Made possible by the Lister Fertility Clinic in both Beaconsfield and London, “Egg freezing is a brilliant new technology that has the power to give women more agency and freedom - it should be talked about so much more.” 

“I hope that others who are considering fertility preservation will feel seen and not alone in their journey. It’s such a personal decision, and I want them to know they’re part of a wider female community that is working to lift the lid on these conversations.”

Future plans

For Sophia, having the opportunity to freeze her eggs gave her the freedom to focus on her passions right now without feeling pressured by a biological timeline. 

“Now that I’ve done it, I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone considering it. Psychologically, it’s been transformative. I no longer feel the same pressure I once did to rush into having children whilst balancing my career or searching for the right partner. It’s given me a sense of freedom and peace of mind that I didn’t anticipate – just remarkable.”

We wish Sophia the best with her blossoming career and her future fertility journey. 

Watch Sophia's film

Find out more about egg freezing

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