Welcome to Show the Receipts, a new series where we ask interesting people to share exactly how much it costs to get shit done. No matter the task, we’re tracking every last dollar from start to finish. First up: freezing your eggs in New York City.
For Chinae Alexander, family planning wasn’t always a top priority. She was curious about the egg-freezing process, but was dating someone she wasn’t sure she wanted kids with (or if she wanted them at all). Then 2020 rolled around and, at 35, she realized she wanted control over her future. “The reality is, it does matter when you start the process because egg quality and quantity goes down as you age,” she tells PS. “So it was an important thing for me to have that stability.”
The pricing, she noticed, varied depending on where you went. New York is already one of the more expensive areas for treatment, and as a self-employed content creator, her insurance plan didn’t cover any of the costs. After consulting with friends and doing plenty of research, Alexander decided to go with Kindbody, a full-service fertility clinic with 35 locations across the U.S. She suggested a partnership in exchange for documenting her journey for her 168K Instagram followers. They agreed to waive the fee for the egg retrieval procedure and appointments, but not the medication and storage.
Here’s the full cost breakdown.
Task: Egg freezing procedure
Location: New York City
Timeline: 10 days
The Receipts
Initial consultation: $300, waived
Egg retrieval procedure: $6,500, waived
Medication: $3,000
Insurance coverage: $0
Storage fees: $840 per year, with first three months free after procedure
Check ups: $750 per year
Total cost: $11,390 ($4,490 after partnership)
*Note: Kindbody’s current prices have increased slightly since 2020, which are outlined in full here.
How I Did It
Alexander acknowledges the privilege that having a content creator job brings, both in terms of flexibility and cost-saving. Here, she’s sharing, in her own words, some of the big takeaways worth noting.
PS: What was the most surprising expense?
CA: I was incredibly shocked by the price of medication. That’s the biggest variable cost and it’s hard to plan for because different people need different kinds. For me, it ended up being around $3,000, but it could be more or less for someone else. Depending on how your body’s reacting, you might need a new dosage or medication to take via shot — and this is very expensive medication. Every few days you go to the pharmacy to pick up a fresh batch depending on how you’re progressing in the process. It’s a f*cking hassle, yes, but also a huge financial consideration.
PS: Where were you able to save?
CA: The fact that they covered my procedure was obviously a huge help, but I also didn’t go out during the process. I didn’t feel sick or anything, but it just didn’t make sense for me to go to dinners because you have to give yourself a shot at the same time every night. You also can’t drink alcohol during the week or two weeks. I saved by cooking at home, and treating myself to comfort food.
I tried to make it as fun for myself as I could — taking long baths during the week with nice bath salts, or taking an extra long time with my skin-care routine. Otherwise, I planned some free things to do during the recovery process that cut on costs. I saved up shows I would want to watch. I had friends come over to order in. I spent time with my partner doing sweet, fun stuff at the house. Things like that.
PS: Any other cost considerations to keep in mind?
CA: The biggest thing is preparing for the possibility of needing multiple procedures if the first egg retrieval isn’t successful. It might not be a one-time cost. Some people need three or more. And with that, every single time it’s the same amount of money. That’s obviously not a fun thing for people to hear, but you will get a decent idea of what they think is possible when you go in for your consultation with your provider.
Final Thoughts
Making an appointment was intimidating, Alexander admits, but in the end was worth it. “I wish I’d done it earlier, actually,” she says. “A big part for me was the fear of getting the information, of doing the testing. That was scary, but you have to know the truth of your situation. I’m glad I went when I did.”
Kelsey Castañon is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content strategist with more than 13 years of experience in publishing. She is currently the senior content director at POPSUGAR, where you can find her stockpiling (and reporting on) everything from skin care to wine. Previously, she’s worked with the brilliant minds at Refinery29, Seventeen, Shape, Allure, and Teen Vogue, and has appeared on TV segments on “The Dr. Oz Show” and “Good Morning America.”
Image Source: Getty / Andrew Brookes