Zayna’s story: ‘The pressure I felt was finally gone’
Zayna Hamarneh's viral Instagram post two years ago sparked a shift in how women in Jordan view fertility, highlighting egg freezing as a viable option for single women in their 30s.
Viral Post Ignites Change
An Instagram post by Zayna, a 36-year-old communications professional from Amman, went viral in March 2021, encouraging women to freeze their eggs. She shared her struggles finding doctors willing to perform the procedure as an unmarried woman, despite her desire for motherhood. The post resonated widely, leading to support from a reproductive endocrinologist who helped her proceed.
Personal Fertility Journey
Zayna educated herself on fertility after limited guidance from early gynecologist visits and froze her eggs at 35 to preserve her chances of family. Facing societal pressure on Mother's Day from some who doubted her prospects due to age and single status, she turned pain into advocacy. Her parents supported her fully, with her father humorously noting grandchildren were "chilling in the freezer."
Broader Impact in Jordan
The post prompted increased awareness, with more women pursuing egg freezing and Zayna becoming an advocate approached by strangers and professionals. A gynecologist credited her for changing the industry in Jordan. She regrets not acting earlier for better egg quality but values doing it with the right team.
Message to Women
Zayna urges women, especially unmarried ones, to consult gynecologists about fertility without taboo, emphasizing modern science's role. She notes 35 differs vastly from past generations and readiness for motherhood comes at different times. Her story aims to empower others to ignore naysayers and preserve options.