Comedy powerhouse Ronny Chieng has recently opened up about deciding with his wife to freeze embryos. Chieng, known for his appearances on The Daily Show, the Netflix special Asian Comedian Destroys America! and his role in Crazy Rich Asians, said the in vitro fertilization process felt like the most logical decision for him and his wife, Hannah Pham.
Chieng made it clear during his new Netflix stand-up special, Love to Hate It, which comically explores fertility, this wasn’t their last chance to have children. He mused, "For us, it bought us more time to not have kids right now. We were just being kind of selfish." But he also acknowledged the emotional complexity surrounding the decision. The couple knew they wanted to have children but felt unsure about the timing.
According to Chieng, the couple got lucky with the IVF process. They managed to retrieve 26 viable eggs, which then produced eight embryos. While he’s not entirely sure it qualifies as traditional IVF, the results were affirming. Chieng shared with Newsweek, "Freezing seemed to be the most logical choice, and as soon as we did it, I think the anxiety around it went down. There are still biological constraints, but it definitely helped." This perspective revealed his pragmatic approach to family planning during their busy lives.
Having performed the embryo freezing at a New York hospital, Chieng appreciated the efficiency of the process, noting, "They did a decent job of explaining what's happening and the biochemistry. I don't think I became an expert in fertility coming out of it. I just kind of focused on the practical steps." It’s clear, even among busy comedians, making informed choices is key.
Chieng also highlighted the role of partners during this complex process. Recognizing the unique challenges women face, he acknowledged, "I wouldn't pretend to teach anyone anything about it because I barely understood what was going on, but I would say just be present, know what your responsibilities are, ask your partner what she wants you to do and make sure you do it." His advice encourages men to be active participators and supporters through the anxiety-filled stages of IVF.
The conversation around fertility has taken center stage, with Chieng noting, "[After the show], I did notice more people telling me they went through the same thing or they went through IVF. So, I definitely had a lot of people tell me, to the point where I feel like almost it feels like everyone in America is doing it." His observation suggests he’s part of a larger movement opening up discussions on fertility, often seen as taboo or overly personal.
Through comedy infused with personal insight, Ronny Chieng has brought visibility to the topic of IVF and embryo freezing. While addressing this poignant autobiographical theme, he finds humor in the struggles of modern family planning, illustrating how deeply personal experiences can resonate widely, paving the way for shared conversations on fertility challenges.
