🌿Inside EggU🌿 A column about the experiences, thoughts, and values of EggU members
📝Writer EggU Counselor Mi-yan
For the first installment of Inside EggU, I would like to talk about EggU Counseling, which I am involved in. Let me share a little bit about why I do this job, how EggU counseling has evolved, and what I value in counseling.
My encounter with EggU was a coincidence
Life is truly unpredictable, and no one knows when or what opportunities will come their way. My encounter with EggU was one such coincidence.
At the time, I had been working as a nurse in Japan for six years, then qualified in Australia and was working at a local hospital. This is where I began my journey to find what I wanted to do outside of nursing, and at the end of 2022, while exploring "coaching," "brain psychology," and freelance work, I came across EggU.
It all started when Haruna Shiga, CEO of BeLiebe Inc., which develops EggU, appeared on a podcast by a business colleague of mine. I was strongly drawn to Shiga's passionate words. I resonated with her vision of "creating new career options for women in bio," and when Shiga appeared on my podcast, I strongly felt that "I wanted to work with this person."
My own experiences led me to EggU
In fact, my own experiences have a big influence on why I wanted to be involved with EggU. When I was in my 20s and early 30s, I wondered, "Do I want to have children?" and "Would I need to freeze my eggs to do that?" After I met my partner in my late 30s and had a daughter at the age of 37, I began to think about balancing work and child-rearing, and I began to vaguely think, " I want to create a society where women can be more free to make the choices that suit them . "
It was because of this desire that I was able to be involved in counseling at EggU, and I am now very grateful.
The evolution of counselling
Since I joined the EggU team as a counselor, there have actually been many discussions and learnings. In particular, how to communicate AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) levels and how to approach it was something we had never tackled before, so we had in-depth discussions every time.
Initially, we discussed within the team, including with the doctor in charge of medical supervision, that it's not just the AMH value that's important, but how to connect it to subsequent actions. For example, when communicating AMH values, rather than simply telling a patient the "number," how can we present the most appropriate actions and options for each individual? Also, how should we provide information without it becoming a medical procedure? These are not simple counseling, but very careful and important parts.
In addition, we place great importance on individuality . Because each person has a different background and values, we conducted numerous case studies and held extensive discussions about how to provide specific support so that each person can make choices that are unique to them. This has enabled us to provide more precise counseling.
Responding to needs related to fertility and infertility
As many EggU users have needs related to trying to conceive and infertility, changes have also been made to the EggU counseling team. In response to these needs, a new midwife with experience in AMH outpatient care and infertility counseling has joined the team, further strengthening the team. By incorporating a new perspective, we are now able to provide more multifaceted support .
I originally worked in the hyper-acute care, emergency care, and ICU fields, so I enjoyed the rapidly changing environment and learning new knowledge. At the same time, I was trying to conceive myself, so every day was extremely stimulating. By deepening my expertise in fertility, my skills as a counselor improved, and I feel I can now better empathize with each patient's concerns .
As the team grows
Currently, EggU's counseling team includes midwives with diverse backgrounds and a wide range of expertise. Each has different expertise and experience, so we are able to respond to a wide range of concerns and questions. As the team grows, our support system has also been strengthened, and we feel that we are now able to provide high-quality counseling to more women.
In this way, EggU's counseling is evolving every day, and we aim to continue growing so that we can continue to provide support that meets new needs.
Counseling to support "your own choices"
At EggU, we place importance on focusing on what to do after learning the test results . For example, many people become anxious after receiving the results of an AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) test, but it is important to know how to make the best choice for themselves after that.
As counselors, we believe it is important to provide support that is not just knowledgeable, but also considers each individual's lifestyle and values. We believe that counseling is not a "medical procedure," but rather a place to guide users so that they can make choices that are true to themselves, and to help them discover hope and new perspectives.
A safe place to share your worries
Many women are concerned about trying to conceive, infertility, or balancing their careers. However, it can be difficult to talk about these issues with friends or coworkers. This can leave many feeling lonely.
That's why at EggU, we place great importance on creating a safe place where people can share their concerns . Our counselors provide accurate information, consider options together, and support women in envisioning their future.
I want to continue empowering more women.
Currently, many of the women who use EggU are working women in their 20s to 40s with a wide range of backgrounds. Their careers, life plans, and physical concerns vary widely. We continue to study every day so that we can provide support tailored to each individual's situation.
We hope to continue growing so that we can continue to support more women and give them the power to choose their future .
If you are currently struggling or feeling anxious about choices for the future, why not come talk to us? Here is a place where you can feel safe and share your thoughts.
Purchase EggU here
📝Writer EggU Counselor Mi-yan
After obtaining a nursing qualification in Australia, she experienced marriage, pregnancy, infertility, pregnancy, and childbirth in her late 30s, and struggled with her career and life plans. Currently working as a nurse, she also works as an EggU counselor and career/life coach.
