Caitlin Judd—entrepreneur, podcast host, and brand strategist—had long been curious about fertility. Surrounded by stories through her work in the fertility space, she knew more than most. But when it came time to freeze her own eggs, even Caitlin found herself surprised by the science, the side effects, and the emotional weight of it all.

At 35, she flew between Sydney and Melbourne to complete her egg freezing cycle, determined to give herself options and peace of mind for the future. Along the way, she navigated the realities of treatment, learned more about her body than ever before, and leaned on close friends and professionals to get her through.

Here, Caitlin shares her experience—from the moment she decided to make fertility a priority, to the surprising moments she didn’t see coming—and the advice she hopes more women hear sooner.

When did you start thinking about your fertility, and why?
I think it’s always been something I’ve considered, but I really started to pay closer attention to my “biological clock” when I was in my late 20s. I began to explore whether I wanted children, if it was something I would do on my own or wait for the right partner, and what my game plan might be if I needed to engage in fertility support.

At 28, I started consulting for a client and friend in the fertility space who supports individuals and couples going through fertility treatment as a senior counsellor and positive psychology practitioner. She opened my eyes to the industry—not only as a businessperson—but also as a woman who wanted to know more about her body and the options available to her.

What were your expectations before embarking on your fertility journey? What informed these expectations?
From the research I’d conducted, conversations I’d had with experts, and the experience I gained from working in the fertility space as a business and brand consultant, I was able to make an informed and personalised choice.

At 30, I made the decision that if by age 35 I wasn't planning on starting a family, I would freeze my eggs instead. For me, it provided peace of mind—that if one day I needed them, they would be there. It’s something I was able to prepare and save for, given the lead time.

I try to go into anything like this with an open mind and heart. Of course, I had a number in my head for how many eggs I wanted to retrieve—everyone does. That’s typically the measure of “success.” But it’s not the only one. Quality matters too. My advice is to try and stay open-minded and not compare yourself to anyone else.

Please share a rough timeline of events, including any hurdles you may have encountered.

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And when you met each hurdle, how did you feel? Can you identify any one stage or learning that really surprised you, or clashed with expectations you may have had?
I decided to use a clinic in Melbourne (where I’m from and where my family is located) even though I live in Sydney. That meant starting my treatment in Sydney and flying to Melbourne right before the surgery. I remember taking my giant needles on the plane in a cooler bag—it was a bit surreal.

It definitely made things more complicated, coordinating treatment and medication across two cities, but I managed. I chose the clinic my good friend worked at, and it meant I could have my friends and family support me post-surgery. I was really happy with my choice.

One moment that stands out was during my pre-op ultrasound when the doctor was deciding when I should take the trigger injection. I had a number in mind for how many eggs I wanted retrieved, and when the sonographer told me how many she could see on the scan, I was devastated (thanks hormonal injections). But in the end, they retrieved many more eggs than the scan had suggested, and I was really happy with the result. So, my advice is—don’t get caught up in the numbers and know that things can change!

I administered all my own injections, but the two trigger shots right before surgery were by far the hardest. They were painful and made me feel quite unwell.

One of the biggest surprises was how little research exists on the long-term side effects. Some of the symptoms I experienced weren’t listed in the post-care info I received, and I had to navigate that directly with my doctors and nurses. I’d really like to see more research done in this space.

What was the most surprising thing that happened to you during this time? Why?
I couldn’t believe how little I knew about my own anatomy—and I’m someone who’s well educated and well researched! When you’re not really in that stage of life, you’re just not thinking about it. Sure, you might talk about it with friends, but throughout the process, I became so fascinated by the science behind it all. I’m in awe of what the human body can achieve.

It’s a known fact that medical research and development has neglected women for so long, and now it’s playing catch-up. I feel frustrated that we weren’t educated about fertility and infertility much earlier, but I do think that information is becoming more accessible now—and that’s why I wanted to share my story.

What was the best or most rewarding thing that happened to you during this time? Why?
I was so lucky to have a great medical team and support crew. I remember going into surgery and asking my doctor to write the number of eggs they retrieved on my hand so I’d see it when I woke up. I got the idea from the heartwarming fertility series Big Miracles on Channel 9.

What do you feel is the biggest misconception surrounding fertility? In what way is this misconception potentially harmful?
There’s a lot of misinformation and fear-mongering in the fertility industry, and it can lead people to make decisions that aren’t necessarily right for them. One of the most common scare tactics is that women’s egg quality “falls off a cliff” after age 35. While fertility does decline more noticeably after 35, it’s not an instant drop-off—it’s gradual. And every body is different, so comparing your journey to someone else’s doesn’t serve you.

Another issue is that infertility conversations often centre only on women. But male infertility is rising globally, with lifestyle and other factors affecting both sperm count and quality. It’s important we talk about that more. I’ve had so many female friends blame themselves when struggling to conceive—only to find out the issue was actually male-factor infertility. We need to create space for men to talk about this without shame or stigma.

What was the most helpful thing you did during this time (physically and mentally) to look after yourself?
It’s really important to have a support team around you. Even though I went through the process as an individual, I was fortunate to have a close friend, Jess, freezing her eggs just ahead of me. Knowing what was coming and having someone to call or swap stories with made a huge difference.

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We even made each other egg freezing care packages—Easter eggs, tea, little comforts. It meant so much.

In Victoria, where I had treatment, it’s mandatory to have a counselling session beforehand. Even if it weren’t, I think everyone should speak to someone before starting fertility treatment. It helped me understand the psychosocial implications of egg freezing, as well as the legal and ethical considerations around things like donation or extending the life of your eggs. There was a lot to unpack.

Physically, I focused on supporting my body as much as I could. There’s a 2–4 month window before egg retrieval when you can really impact follicle health. I already lived a healthy lifestyle, but I cut alcohol, ate well, reduced stress, and took pre-natal vitamins. It’s a big thing to ask of your body—I wanted to give it the best shot I could.

What is the one piece of advice you'd give to anyone who hasn’t yet gone down their own fertility path? What do you wish more women knew, or were aware of?
Do your research. I read books, articles, scientific papers—I asked all the questions. Egg freezing isn’t cheap, but the best part is that you’re surrounded by experts. Even if they’re busy, don’t hesitate to take up space, ask questions, and request more time if you need it.

Find your support crew. It could be your partner, a friend, a sibling, your parents, a doctor, or a counsellor. You’ll likely experience a range of emotions, and having someone to lean on really helps.

And most of all—speak up. Women are often taught to stay quiet when something doesn’t feel right. But when you’re undergoing fertility treatment, you are also a customer seeking the best outcome for your body. You deserve to feel safe, heard, and empowered throughout the entire process.

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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.

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