Ria Webb is among the record-breaking number of women who are freezing their eggs in the hope of having a family later in life
A 31-year-old woman who froze her eggs after a break-up said it was "empowering" to seize control of her own future.
Ria Webb, from Chelmsford, felt like "time was running out" while not knowing when she would be in a position to have children.
After a process, which included taking injections at a Harry Styles concert, her eggs are now frozen inside a clinic at -194C (-381F).
Webb is among the record-breaking number of women who are collecting, freezing and storing their eggs in the hope of having a family later in life.
There were 6,932 egg freezing cycles in 2023, according to the latest figures from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority – a rise from 2,567 in 2019. The process does not guarantee success.
Webb works as a patient support adviser at the fertility clinic where she got her eggs frozen by a colleague.
"I felt like my time was running out, you hit 30 and you're talking about children," Webb said of making her decision.
"It wasn't until I came out of a relationship I was like, 'This is something I probably should do for myself to give myself that security'."
If Webb's eggs are used, they will be thawed and inseminated, before the embryo is inserted into her uterus (stock image)
Webb told BBC Essex presenter Ben Fryer that it was "a massive weight off my shoulders" not having to rely on a timeline.
Having spoken to a consultant, Webb injected herself every day and took medication to grow more eggs for collection.
She even administered one injection in the bathroom at a Harry Styles concert.
Her eggs were later extracted, frozen and stored at the clinic. If used, they will be thawed and inseminated, before the embryo is inserted into her uterus.
"It's very empowering, I've taken control of my path," she said.
Webb's colleague, Alicia Barker, said it was an honour to be the person who froze her eggs.
"Egg freezing is an absolutely amazing development to give us women this option later in life," said Barker, a clinical embryologist and lab manager.
"But it is really important that people understand it's not an insurance policy, egg freezing doesn't guarantee a baby later in life."
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