I’ve been undecided about whether I want kids for a long time. Some days the idea of a tiny grommet sounds adorable. Other days, I picture myself living my best spontaneous life with zero responsibilities beyond picking what to order for brunch.

But somewhere between turning 29 and realising I’m about to hit 30 (shoutout to January babies, I see you), something clicked. I didn’t suddenly get baby fever - I just realised that even if I’m not ready for kids, it’s still smart to understand my fertility now. I wanted real information, not assumptions, instead of fear-mongering TikToks, and definitely not outdated fertility myths.

So, I booked my first fertility test.

If you’re considering egg freezing, trying to conceive, or just trying to understand your reproductive health better, here’s exactly what it was like.

Why I decided to get my fertility tested

For me, it was the “almost 30” milestone that did it. So many women start thinking more seriously about fertility around this age, and I’m no exception. I knew egg count and egg quality naturally decline over time, but I had zero idea what my personal baseline was.

I wanted clarity. Whether I decide to have kids or not, I wanted to make an informed decision and not a panicked one later.

What pushed me to finally book it

It was pretty simple. I just thought, “Okay… I should probably know where I actually stand.” There wasn’t a crisis point or a build up of pressure - I was just curious and had a desire to plan for future me. And yes, turning 30 did light a small fire under me, but more in a “maybe I should gather this info now” way rather than an “oh my god my eggs are dust” way.

Spoiler: they are not dust.

My questions going in (including an unexpected dating filter)

I had a few big questions for the clinician:

1. Should I be thinking about egg freezing?

She said (without pressure!) that it might be worth considering in the next year or two if I think I might want kids someday. 

2. How does fertility testing actually work?

I had no clue they measure follicles, not eggs. Learning that was like learning my body has hidden compartments I never knew about.

*Ovarian follicles are basically tiny fluid-filled pods inside your ovaries that hold an immature egg. Think of them as little egg apartments. Each cycle, a bunch of these follicles start to grow and compete to be the Queen B. Usually only one fully matures, and releases an egg during ovulation.

3. And then: sperm health.

Did you know conception depends massively on sperm quality? Because I had no idea.

I’m not saying I’ve added it to my Hinge profile… but I am saying my new first-date icebreaker might be: “How would you rate your sperm quality on a scale of 1 to 10?”

Too much? Probably, but a girl’s gotta know, right?

What I expected vs. what fertility testing is really like

I didn’t do a huge late night scroll on Google beforehand because fertility research online is a little bit noisy. I wanted the facts straight from a fertility specialist - someone who actually reads ultrasounds for fun and knows what they’re talking about.

Here’s what my fertility testing included:

• Bloodwork (including AMH test)
• Internal ultrasound (follicle count scan)
• Results review with a clinician

I happened to be on my period, which apparently is totally fine and can even be ideal for certain parts of the scan. I was nervous about this but the clinician was completely unphased and I felt really at ease.

The entire process was quicker and smoother than most trips to the dentist.

The staff were warm, calm, and non-judgmental. Nothing felt scary or overly medical. It felt very human.

Waiting for results: surprisingly chill

I wasn’t stressing. I’m not actively trying for a baby, so I didn’t feel the emotional intensity some people understandably do during fertility testing. I know this experience can be triggering or heavy for many, and that matters. Everyone’s fertility journey is different.

For me, this was exploratory, and a much more gentle process than I imagined.

The results!

My results came back quickly, way faster than I expected, and everything looked good.

In scientific terms: Your girl’s fertile!

I feel like I can enter my 30s without the pressure-filled narrative that my ovaries are ageing in dog years. 

Did fertility testing change how I feel about my body or my future?

Yes, in a good way!

I still don’t know whether I want kids, and that’s totally fine. But now I have actual data. I understand my egg supply, my AMH level, and what my options look like. It made me feel more relaxed, more informed, and way more in control of my future decisions.

Knowledge is power, right?

What I wish I’d known before my AMH test and fertility scan

How EASY it is.
How not-stressful it can be.
How much the right clinic matters.

The whole experience was straightforward, supportive, and not nearly as intimidating as I expected.

And honestly, I think this absolutely depends on where you go. Gaia partners only with clinics that offer high-quality care, and now I understand why that matters so much.

Why these conversations matter (especially for women in their 20s and 30s)

Fertility testing isn’t just for people actively trying to conceive. It’s for anyone who wants to understand their body better, whether you’re:

• thinking about egg freezing
• not sure if you want kids
• planning for the future
• curious about your reproductive health
• or struggling to conceive and need peace of mind and understanding

We deserve accessible, honest fertility information without shame, fear, or judgment. So, if sharing my experience helps even one person feel more confident about exploring their own fertility, that’s a win for me. 

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