AOC is freezing her eggs. Her choice can have a huge, positive impact for working women

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the congresswoman, has decided to freeze her eggs and has been very open about the process on social media. She has filmed herself giving the first hormone injection and answered questions from her followers about the procedure. Egg freezing has become a topic of controversy, but Ocasio-Cortez believes it can have a positive impact on working women.

The process of egg freezing is demanding, requiring two weeks of self-injections, regular clinic visits, a final trigger shot, and a retrieval under sedation. The cost can range from $9,000 to $16,000, with annual storage fees. Currently, only a small percentage of employers offer coverage for this procedure, with larger companies being more likely to provide it.

Ocasio-Cortez's openness about her decision highlights the lack of workplace accommodations for women's reproductive choices. The workplace is built around a male body, with no constraints, while women face rigid hours, inadequate health coverage, and a strong taboo around discussing fertility. This creates a barrier for women who wish to advance their careers while also considering starting a family.

The issue is not just about personal choice, but also about the professional constraints imposed on women. The timing of a woman's career peak aligns with the decline of her fertility, making it difficult to balance work and family life. Employers often view this overlap as a personal problem, rather than a structural issue that could be addressed.

Ocasio-Cortez's decision to make egg freezing a public topic aims to normalize the conversation and provide representation for women living various lifestyles. By discussing this issue, she is challenging the notion that women's reproductive decisions are a private matter and emphasizing the need for workplaces to adapt to accommodate all workers, regardless of their personal choices.