Alabama Supreme Court Decision on Frozen Embryos Sparks Debate on In Vitro Fertilization
In February, all eyes were on in vitro fertilization (IVF) when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos in the state should be considered children. This decision led to a halt in IVF procedures in some parts of the state and even a suspension of embryo shipments out of state to avoid potential criminal liabilities. In early March, a law was passed to protect IVF providers, leading some clinics to resume procedures, although legal challenges may still arise.
These rulings could have far-reaching consequences for a large number of prospective parents. In the United States, over 2 percent of children born are conceived through assisted reproductive techniques, with IVF being the most common. Since 1978, at least 12 million children have been born worldwide through IVF, according to the National Committee for Assisted Reproductive Technologies.
Couples opting for IVF are still a minority among those trying to conceive. They often have a high income (the cost of a single IVF cycle is around $23,474, according to Fertility IQ) and most are between the ages of 35 and 40, when natural conception statistics are not in their favor. At 35, there is a 15 percent chance of natural conception per month, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. By age 40, that figure drops to 5 percent.
Alan Copperman, CEO of the RMA Fertility Center in New York, is among the many doctors seeing an increasing number of couples skipping natural conception due to the challenges of conceiving and carrying a healthy baby, opting for IVF instead.
The difficulties cited by couples are diverse. Some may not have time for natural conception, while others may not be in the same place at the right time for ovulation windows. Some couples are motivated by health concerns, wanting to screen embryos for harmful genetic mutations, while others want to choose the sex of their child.
Most health insurance plans do not cover IVF until a heterosexual couple has tried to conceive naturally for at least a year if the woman is under 35, or six months if she is older.
Despite the financial burden of IVF, success is not guaranteed. There is still a risk of miscarriage, although the probability is lower due to genetic testing of embryos and only implanting the most viable ones. Success rates can vary based on maternal age, with women under 35 having nearly a 50 percent chance of a live birth after one IVF cycle, compared to 7 percent for women over 40 using their own eggs.
The emotional and physical toll of IVF is significant, with many couples feeling desperate and financially strained. However, for some, like Sarafina El-Badry Nance, an astrophysicist at the University of California, IVF offers a sense of empowerment and relief in ensuring a healthy future for their children.
Faith Hartley and her husband Neil Robertson chose IVF for their second child to ensure the gender of the baby, a practice that is controversial but legal in the United States. Despite the physical and emotional challenges, they believe it was worth it to fulfill their family’s wishes.
Denise, a sales and marketing professional, froze embryos at 31 as a backup plan for future children, considering the potential health benefits of using younger embryos for conception.
While some experts advocate for using IVF as a last resort, others believe it should be considered a viable option for couples facing fertility challenges. The debate continues as more couples turn to IVF to fulfill their dreams of starting a family.
