Eboni K. Williams Shares Her IVF Journey and What She’d Do Differently

In a candid conversation about her journey to motherhood, television host, author, and attorney Eboni K. Williams shared her experience with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and reflected on what she might have done differently in the process.

Williams, who welcomed her daughter Liberty in 2022, discussed her path to becoming a “solo mom by choice” during an episode of The Future You, where she spoke alongside reproductive endocrinologist Brooke H. Wertz, MD, from NYU Langone Health.

One of the key insights Williams shared was her decision to freeze her eggs earlier in life not out of certainty about wanting biological children, but to preserve the option for the future. “I wanted to invest in giving myself the option,” she said, emphasizing the value of proactive fertility planning even without a definitive timeline for parenthood.

Dr. Wertz supported this perspective, noting that while there is no strict fertility “cliff” associated with age, outcomes for egg freezing are generally better when the procedure is done earlier. She reported that the average age of egg freezing at NYU Langone Health has decreased over time, from 38 when the service was first offered to 32 currently.

When asked about the role of lifestyle in fertility, Dr. Wertz explained that while there is no single supplement or behavior that guarantees improved outcomes, maintaining healthy habits—such as balanced nutrition and regular physical activity—can support overall reproductive health. She said she encounters this question frequently in her practice and encourages patients to focus on sustainable wellness practices rather than seeking quick fixes.

Dr. Wertz also highlighted the importance of paying attention to menstrual cycle patterns, stating that the cycle can provide valuable insights into a person’s reproductive health. She advised against dismissing irregularities or unusual symptoms, as they may signal underlying conditions worth evaluating with a healthcare provider.

Williams discussed her motivation for openly sharing her IVF journey, particularly with her daughter. Drawing from her own upbringing without a known paternal identity, she explained that she has already begun collecting books about donor-conceived children to help Liberty understand her origins. “I have books already that talk about being a donor-conceived child, because as I shared during an episode on The View, I grew up with no paternal identity,” she said.

The conversation underscored the growing diversity of paths to parenthood, including IVF, egg freezing, and single motherhood by choice. Williams’ experience reflects broader trends in reproductive health, where individuals are increasingly seeking information and medical support to align family planning with personal goals and timelines.