Rachel Liverman Crane is the Founder & CEO of the East Coast skincare facial concept Glow Bar. Yet, her dynamic life doesn’t end with her professional achievements; she’s also taken a bold step in her personal life by freezing her eggs — a journey made even more remarkable by overcoming medical anxiety, a common fear that affects many people facing medical procedures.
Medical anxiety is more than a fleeting concern; it’s a genuine fear that can hinder individuals from pursuing necessary or elective medical treatments. In Rachel’s case, it was a hurdle she had to conquer on her path to securing future family planning options.
Her journey reflects a blend of determination, pragmatism, and an unwavering belief in one’s self, sending a strong message to others about the power of informed choices and the beauty of self-confidence. By bravely facing her fears, Rachel serves as an inspiration to others who may be on the fence about egg freezing. Whether it’s expanding a skincare brand or planning for a future family, she navigates life with grace, wisdom, and a touch of humor, embodying the future’s endless possibilities.
In a candid interview with us, Rachel shares this journey, opening up about her experience with egg freezing and how she overcame the anxiety that often accompanies medical decisions.
Deciding to freeze
At the age of 35, while single and deeply focused on growing her business, Rachel made the decision to freeze her eggs. Recognizing that she wouldn’t be having children in the immediate future, she saw this as a way to retain her focus on her career without the looming pressure of biological timing. “I figured I would freeze my eggs so my focus could remain on my career and not have the pressure of having kids feel so strong.”
The process resulted in a “lucky dozen” of 12 eggs, with nine being frozen. Her AMH was 1.81, and she candidly shares her experience, describing herself as an “open book.”
Embracing the process even with medical anxiety
When asked what she was most nervous about, Rachel replied, “The shots, the blood draws every morning, the anesthesia, the IV, the recovery — I worried about it all!”
“But in the end”, she says, “it was so simple and my doctor and his team took such great care of me the entire way.”
Having seen friends go through it, she knew what to expect, although the physical discomfort and bloating after retrieval did surprise her. “The thing that surprised me the most was how bloated and uncomfortable that would feel after the retrieval process.”
What stands out, however, is the empowerment and strength she felt after going through this elective procedure, particularly given her medical anxiety. “I was really proud of myself for doing something that scared me for my future self!”
Rachel, we’re proud of you too!
Facing the hard parts head-on
The journey wasn’t without its challenges. The financial burden was a difficult aspect for her. As a startup founder, making such a significant investment had a real impact. Still, the sacrifice was worth it, even if it meant missing events like close friends’ weddings abroad. “I don’t have any regrets,” she asserts.
Read more about paying for egg freezing:
Choosing Dr. Joshua Stewart at Dr. Joshua Stewart at Cornell for the procedure, she feels the decision has had a profoundly positive effect on her professional life. It allowed her to prioritize her career, team, and business without sacrificing personal aspirations.
Looking back and looking ahead
Looking back, the only thing she might have done differently is to take supplements or seek acupuncture to support her eggs. Yet, she considers the freezing of her eggs as part of her journey, jokingly referring to them as her “insurance plan” and the possibility of thawing these “cuties” to make babies if and when needed.
Rachel says that her relationships and dating life remained unaffected. Freezing her eggs just became “another part of me,” not altering her approach to dating or personal relationships.
Advice for others
Her advice for others considering this path is wise and considerate. She urges people to talk to others who have undergone the process, ask questions, advocate for themselves, and not to push themselves if it doesn’t feel right.
“Don’t feel pressure to do this if it doesn’t feel right for you. It’s a serious and expensive procedure, so make sure that this is something that you really care about and feel is right for you and where you are today.” We couldn’t agree more!
