Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., announced on social media that she has begun the process of freezing her eggs, framing the decision as a means to gain more control over her future. The congresswoman shared the personal news through a series of Instagram Story videos.
Ocasio-Cortez stated that she had considered the procedure for a long time and had been saving for it. She explained her decision to be open about the process, noting that women are often not sufficiently educated about their reproductive health and family planning options. She expressed a desire to normalize conversations around fertility, pregnancy, menopause, perimenopause, and conditions such as PCOS, which she believes are frequently overlooked.
"This is a choice that I am making to feel more in control of my life," Ocasio-Cortez said. "If people want to make assumptions about my decision, let them make those assumptions. I feel empowered to make this choice."
The New York Democrat also used the announcement to criticize the policies of the Trump administration regarding women's reproductive choices. She characterized the administration as one that has "made pregnancy more dangerous than probably at any point in the last 30-plus years" and is dedicated to "politicizing women's bodies and taking our choices away from us."
Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged that pursuing fertility preservation is a privilege and mentioned that technological advancements have made the procedure more financially accessible. She also noted that female politicians often face scrutiny regarding marriage, pregnancy, and family planning that their male counterparts typically do not.
Her announcement prompted reactions on social media, with some critics suggesting the decision reflects a progressive focus on careers over family formation. Ocasio-Cortez, who has been engaged to Riley Roberts since May 2022, indicated she plans to document parts of the egg-freezing process, including hormone injections, for her followers.