Tully Smyth divides internet after announcing she’s freezing her eggs

Influencer Tully Smyth has divided opinion after announcing she’d “partnered up” with a fertility clinic to freeze her eggs.

Influencer Tully Smyth has divided opinion after announcing she’d “partnered up” with a fertility clinic to freeze her eggs.

The former Big Brother contestant shared earlier this week she was partnering with Melbourne’s Monash IVF, after hearing “so many glowing recommendations, so many beautiful stories about people’s experiences” with the team.

“So I reached out and thankfully they’ve agreed, and they’re very keen to work with me on my egg-freezing journey,” the 35-year-old said in a three-part Instagram video.

“All I’ve ever wanted is to be a mum. This year I turn 36, so I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands and I’m bringing you all on the journey with me.”

Smyth – who has been with partner Daniel Parisi since 2019 – said she’d document every step of the process, and hoped it would inspire others to “take control” of their fertility.

Influencer Tully Smyth has announced she planned to freeze her eggs. Picture: Instagram

‘All I’ve ever wanted is to be a mum,’ Smyth said. Picture: Instagram

The announcement drew a mixed reaction from Smyth’s followers – with many thanking her for drawing attention to “such a raw topic”.

“I know how much you want to be a mum and I’m so happy for you to be able to start your journey,” one wrote.

“Thank you for talking about this. I have the BRCA2 gene and so am more susceptible to certain cancers including ovarian and so I’m constantly asked by my specialists had I thought about freezing my eggs,” a second commented.

“I’m 38yo and single. I want kids. I WISH this had been talked about more when I was younger and normalised (I also wish hit wasn’t so expensive but that’s a whole other thing haha).

“It’s now getting to the point that I’m at that decreasing number/quality and the decision won’t be a decision soon. It needs to be talked about more and earlier. So thank you!”

Smyth has been with partner Daniel Parisi since 2019. Picture: Instagram

Some said it was ‘a slap in the face’ to those who couldn’t afford it. Picture: Instagram

When the news was shared by the Influencer Updates Australia account, most were also supportive, writing: “If someone offered me free IVF, I’d take it in a heartbeat.”

“I think this is great. Opens up the conversation around fertility and egg freezing but also helps women feel less alone.”

Not everyone agreed, however – with some calling it “a slap in the face”.

“This doesn’t sit right with me. I know couples who desperately need fertility treatment but can’t afford it,” wrote one.

“This is really sad. I feel for the families who cannot afford it,” a second commented. “Seeing this would be a slap in the face.”

While a third said: “There needs to be more regulation on medical partnerships and influencers. A slap in the face to those struggling for years to start a family and fork out thousands on treatment.”

‘Thank you for talking about this,’ one Instagram user wrote. ‘I WISH this has been talked about more when I was younger and normalised.’ Picture: Instagram

While more attention has been drawn to the procedure in recent years, as an increasing number of women open up about their experience harvesting and storing their eggs, the process is still one that many are priced out of.

The cost of a single in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle can cost as much as $15,000, while egg freezing in Australia generally costs about $5000 for the first cycle.

With Monash IVF, for example, a single cycle is $5075, with the patient then paying separately for medication, and storage costing $250 every six months.

Medical director at IVF Australia, Dr Peter Illingworth, told A Current Affair during a segment last week that the sooner women look into the process, the better the outcome.

“When a woman freezes her eggs, you can’t tell at the item of freezing how well those eggs will grow once they come out of the freezer,” Dr Illingworth said.

Many women are still priced out of freezing their eggs. Picture: iStock

“As we go into the future and technology continues to improve, prospects of success for men and women having children will slowly improve.

“However, the challenge for women in their 40s wanting to have a family is one that will remain with us for a very long time indeed.”

Given the uncertainty associated – and the huge financial outlay – he admitted “it’s a big decision for women to take”.

“Over the last few years, we’ve certainly seen more women coming forward in their late 30s or early 40s to seek advice and to see what is the right thing to do for them,” Dr Illingworth said. “Sometimes those decisions are not easy and the women involved go through a lot of stress and distress trying to have a family in sometimes very difficult circumstances.”