IVF- Is it worth the pain it causes women?

[Felicity]

This is a genuine attempt to discuss a valid topic.
As a result of recent issues, I feel it necessary to offer the following:
DISCLAIMER:
The perception that offering a perspective is somehow the same thing as a personal condemnation or a judgement upon individual persons is an ERROR on the part of the person who "feels" condemned or judged. A perspective is IMPERSONAL and in no way is intended to target any individuals who may have personal experience related to the topic presented.

 

[Felicity]

So Close: Selective Reduction *not for sensitive viewers*



Infertility is a tragedy that is emotionally devastating. But, for some, it is a fact. The above link is one example of the incredible heartache the IVF procedure itself and resulting situations can cause women who are already wounded by the fact of their infertility.

QUESTION: Is the emotional devastation compounded by the physical trauma and the myriad mishaps and psychologically traumatic decisions that must be made as the result of the IVF technology WORTH all the pain simply to experience pregnancy and have a child that is biologically related?

~Or~

...could IVF and the urge to have a biological child be considered demeaning to women who must bear the lion's share of the burden and consequences of IVF?

 

[tecoyah]

So Close: Selective Reduction *not for sensitive viewers*



Infertility is a tragedy that is emotionally devastating. But, for some, it is a fact. The above link is one example of the incredible heartache the IVF procedure itself and resulting situations can cause women who are already wounded by the fact of their infertility.

For every actionable situation we make as humans....there will be tragedy found if we look hard enough, just as there will be Joy.

QUESTION: Is the emotional devastation compounded by the physical trauma and the myriad mishaps and psychologically traumatic decisions that must be made as the result of the IVF technology WORTH all the pain simply to experience pregnancy and have a child that is biologically related?

We can just as easily ask this of any natural pregnancy, and the replys will be as individual in either case. IVF, to me is a wonder of technology, and carries the risks all pregnancies do....which are sometimes painful to accept.

~Or~

...could IVF and the urge to have a biological child be considered demeaning to women who must bear the lion's share of the burden and consequences of IVF?

Women will bare the Lions share of any pregnancy....period. Likely, any woman attempting IVF is well aware of the statistics of success, as well as the invasive elements of the proceedure, and has decided to accept this as a worthwhile tradeoff. My opinion (and yours) as to her descision is completely irrelevant to her circumstance, and should be ignored.

 

[Felicity]

Women will bare the Lions share of any pregnancy....period. Likely, any woman attempting IVF is well aware of the statistics of success, as well as the invasive elements of the proceedure, and has decided to accept this as a worthwhile tradeoff.

This woman in her blog admits she was unprepared for what came to be as a result of her IVF choice. I will look around the web and see what other personal stories may also offer that perspective. At any rate, do you think that the overwhelming desire may influence the measured descision making that should occur?

My opinion (and yours) as to her descision is completely irrelevant to her circumstance, and should be ignored.

I think as members of the human race we depend on one another and we should look out for the physical and emotional well being of others. Thus, I do think our opinions on the matter--matter. I am concerned that IVF ultimately does more harm than good--specifically to the emotional well being of those that have unfortunate events occur as a result of the procedure. It compounds the pain for some who may or may not have a realistic picture of what may be.

 

[aps]

My husband and I had problems getting pregnant, and I was unwilling to undergo IVF if we could not get pregnant via natural methods or artificial insemination. I wasn't dying to be a parent enough to undergo the expense, the time, or the pain of IVF. But that is me. I mentioned that friend of mine, who went through at least a dozen IVF treatments. I was stunned that she would nto give up, but that is how badly she wanted to have children. I know she would do it all over again (she has a baby boy now).

 

[Felicity]

Interesting study...

Women's experience of IVF: a follow-up study -- Hammarberg et al. 16 (2): 374 -- Human Reproduction

Interesting article...

Emotional Considerations: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility: University of Iowa Health Care


more...

Topics-Infertility and Mental Health

Psychological Distress and Infertility Treatment

While many couples presenting for infertility treatment have high levels of psychological distress associated with infertility, the process of assisted reproduction itself is also associated with increased levels of anxiety, depression and stress (Leiblum 1987). A growing number of research studies have examined the impact of infertility treatment at different stages, with most focusing on the impact of failed IVF trials. Hynes and colleagues assessed women at presentation for IVF and then following failure of IVF. They found that women presenting for IVF were more depressed, had lower self-esteem and were less confident than a control group of fertile women and, after a failed IVF cycle, experienced a further lowering of self-esteem and an increase in depression relative to pre-treatment levels (Hynes 1992). Comparisons between women undergoing repeated IVF cycles and first-time participants have also suggested that ongoing treatment may lead to an increase in depressive symptoms (Thiering 1993). The data, however, is still controversial since other studies have found minimal psychological disturbance induced by the infertility treatment process or IVF failure (Paulson 1988; Boivin 1996). In light of the discrepancy in results, there has been increasing interest in the factors that contribute to dropout from infertility treatment since this population is often not included or decline to participate in studies. Whereas cost or refusal of physicians to continue treatment have been cited as reasons for discontinuing treatment, recent research suggests that a significant number of dropouts are due to psychological factors (Domar 2004; Hammarberg 2001; Olivius 2004).

Entrez PubMed
The role of psychological factors in IVF is complex. Psychological issues intertwine with physical ones, often with additive effects. The very diagnosis of infertility is likely to cause stress. In addition, the many investigations and procedures may have compounded distress. There are probably a small number of patients in whom psychological factors may induce infertility. But in the majority, psychological factors may exacerbate infertility and influence the patient's and partner's responses. Mental, sexual, marital and social adjustment may all be affected. The procedure of IVF is likely to have a further impact. A pilot study of couples entering an IVF programme revealed the women to be highly anxious and to conform strongly to feminine stereotypes. Many had received psychiatric help in the past. The idiopathic group appeared to cope less well with stress and had higher anxiety and neuroticism scores. Follow-up revealed that IVF had a profound impact on many of the women. Most had received no counselling in the interim. In those who completed questionnaires at follow-up, a differential effect was observed between the organic and idiopathic groups. State anxiety fell in the idiopathic group but so did marital adjustment. The clinician is advised to incorporate consideration of the psychological aspects of IVF into every aspect of the programme. The addition of a psycho-social team may assist the gynaecologist in this and help the couple to make an optimal adjustment.

 

[tecoyah]

This woman in her blog admits she was unprepared for what came to be as a result of her IVF choice. I will look around the web and see what other personal stories may also offer that perspective. At any rate, do you think that the overwhelming desire may influence the measured descision making that should occur?

You might also....look at experiences of Joy, that have come from the proceedure in an attept to see both sides of the issue, if you are so inclined. It is likely you will note quite a discrepency between the horror stories, and the number of happy folk enjoying thier kids.

I think as members of the human race we depend on one another and we should look out for the physical and emotional well being of others.

Really now....so I imagine Darfur has left you emotionally drained. I can only imagine the Impact on your psyche from the situation in Sudan, or the troubling situation in Iraq.

Thus, I do think our opinions on the matter--matter. I am concerned that IVF ultimately does more harm than good--specifically to the emotional well being of those that have unfortunate events occur as a result of the procedure. It compounds the pain for some who may or may not have a realistic picture of what may be.

Gimme a break Felicity....do you actually think I am blind to your obvious agenda? You continuously attempt to influence the reproductive choices of women, based on your own personal opinion, when in the reality of this world.....you have no business walking into anyones bedroom but your own. This attempt at re-introducing your opinion on the IVF issue is so transparent as to be insulting, or sadly humorous.
You have expressed wonder at the "Attacks" thrown at you by virtually everyone who replys in a thread you participate in. Allow me to be Blunt, rather than wasting more server space with the long drawn out explanations we have tried in vain to give you:

" You do not have the right to control what anyone else does with reproductive choice"

No one cares if you think "God" has given you a mandate from heaven, and few care any longer to read the repeating tape of your diatribe. We get it....OK.

Abortion is Evil.
Sex is for reproduction.
God knows all.
and
You know God.

I think that pretty much covers it.....Have a nice day.


I know...I know......this is just another unwarrented attack on you, not an attempt to explain why you get attacked in the first place.

 

[Felicity]

This attempt at re-introducing your opinion on the IVF issue is so transparent as to be insulting, or sadly humorous.

Or perhaps it was a suggestion from Vague.

 

[rathi]

...IFV is a procedure that can be rather nasty and not one that I generally I am in favor of. If someone wants a kid that much, there are many kids who want to be adopted by some loving parents. And given overpopulation, making a few extra babies isn't that important. However, its not my place to make choices for others.

 

[Felicity]

...IFV is a procedure that can be rather nasty and not one that I generally I am in favor of. If someone wants a kid that much, there are many kids who want to be adopted by some loving parents. And given overpopulation, making a few extra babies isn't that important. However, its not my place to make choices for others.

What's your opinion on the emotional cost to women that IVF incurs?

 

[ngdawg]

Yes. Next question

 

[1069]

What's your opinion on the emotional cost to women that IVF incurs?

My opinion is that this new prolife tactic of presuming to "protect" women from the emotional costs incurred by their own choices (and almost no choice, reproductive or otherwise, is without some emotional cost; you know the old saying: nothing that comes easy is worth having) is patriarchal, patronizing, and condescending.
Women are not stupid.
Women are not animals or children, that they need the government or you or any other meddlesome individual to "protect" them from themselves.
You don't protect others by restricting their rights and freedoms.
That's Orwellian double-speak.

How about "protecting' innocent teenagers from the emotional costs of going to war, watching their friends dismembered by roadside bombs, spending time as a guard in Abu Ghraib or some similar detainee hell and becoming corrupted into a perverse monster who delights in sexually abusing and torturing helpless innocent civilians?
How about the emotional cost of that?

How about the emotional cost of bearing ( and worse- raising) an unwanted child?

How about the emotional cost of relinquishing a child for adoption?

How about the emotional cost of being raped and impregnated, and a) having an abortion, or b) carrying the pregnancy to term?

How about the emotional cost of wanting a child, and learning that you will not be able to have one naturally?

How about the emotional cost of miscarriage, or worse: stillbirth?

How about the emotional cost of bearing and raising a child with Down's Syndrome?

How about the emotional cost of having a beloved and perfect child fall ill with leukemia and die at the age of five?

How about the emotional cost of having a beloved and perfect child fall to drug addiction in his teens, and transform into a manipulative stranger who robs you blind every time you let him into the house?

How about the emotional cost of raising a child to adulthood, only to have her die trying to obtain an illegal abortion? Why not ask Gerri Santoro's mother, sister, and children what sort of emotional toll that exacts? They publicize this post-mortem police photo of Gerri in an effort to ensure that what happened to her will never happen to any woman ever again.

In short, any choice you make is likely to come with an emotional price tag.

Women are adults, and know that perfectly well.
Why don't you know it?

 

[CoffeeSaint]

What's your opinion on the emotional cost to women that IVF incurs?

I think it isn't any worse than the emotional cost to people that being a parent incurs. That's why I don't ever want to be a parent.

Should I have the right to protect you from your risky behavior of having children?

 

[Felicity]

My opinion is that this new prolife tactic of presuming to "protect" women from the emotional costs incurred by their own choices (and almost no choice, reproductive or otherwise, is without some emotional cost; you know the old saying: nothing that comes easy is worth having) is patriarchal, patronizing, and condescending.
Women are not stupid.
Women are not animals or children, that they need the government or you or any other meddlesome individual to "protect" them from themselves.
You don't protect others by restricting their rights and freedoms.
That's Orwellian double-speak.

People are imperfect creatures. People can make choices based on irrational hope, desperate desire, ignorance, denial, frustration, ...the list goes on... It is not "patriarchal" or "condescending" to discuss the objective rationale behind choices and weight them carefully to draw conclusions. It is an exercise in logic and rational thought. To deny that one may "consider" such things amounts to your Orwellian allusion--to censor thought is Big Brother run amok.

How about "protecting' innocent teenagers from the emotional costs of going to war, watching their friends dismembered by roadside bombs, spending time as a guard in Abu Ghraib or some similar detainee hell and becoming corrupted into a perverse monster who delights in sexually abusing and torturing helpless innocent civilians?
How about the emotional cost of that?

Sure--those are very valid points. however--not on topic in the Abortion forum. Here we discuss reproductive issues.

How about the emotional cost of bearing ( and worse- raising) an unwanted child?

Again...sure...start a thread....not the point of this thread. This thread is about IVF--which has been pointed out--are very wanted children.

How about the emotional cost of relinquishing a child for adoption?

See above.

How about the emotional cost of being raped and impregnated, and a) having an abortion, or b) carrying the pregnancy to term?

See above.

How about the emotional cost of wanting a child, and learning that you will not be able to have one naturally?

This is relevant to the discussion...what about it? Is the emotional cost of IVF a fair trade off, or is it, as I have suggested COMPOUNDING the pain?

How about the emotional cost of miscarriage, or worse: stillbirth?

How about the emotional cost of bearing and raising a child with Down's Syndrome?

These also could be relevant to the discussion--but i think they would support the idea that the pain resulting from IVF compounds the pain of infertility and I don't think that is what you want to express.

How about the emotional cost of having a beloved and perfect child fall ill with leukemia and die at the age of five?

How about the emotional cost of having a beloved and perfect child fall to drug addiction in his teens, and transform into a manipulative stranger who robs you blind every time you let him into the house?

How about the emotional cost of raising a child to adulthood, only to have her die trying to obtain an illegal abortion?

These are really social and family issues unrelated to infertility and IVF, so I don't think they are relative to this thread.

Why not ask Gerri Santoro's mother, sister, and children what sort of emotional toll that exacts? They publicize this post-mortem police photo of Gerri in an effort to ensure that what happened to her will never happen to any woman ever again.

Is that "pro-choice porn?" I mean, the photos of aborted children are called pro-life porn--apparently we've discovered its counterpart!

In my view--that is a desperate woman and a tragedy. The abortion (or the lack of availability of an abortion) is not what killed her, her circumstances and "choices" did.

 

[ngdawg]

So, it's not the shooter that kills, it's the person that put himself/herself in the line of fire who is to blame??:doh
She died as a result of a botched back-alley illegally done abortion.

 

[Felicity]

So, it's not the shooter that kills, it's the person that put himself/herself in the line of fire who is to blame??:doh
She died as a result of a botched back-alley illegally done abortion.

Your analogy--the gun is to the victim as an abortion is to Gerri. And as the saying goes...guns don't kill people, people kill people. --In Gerri's case, it was her boyfriend.
From the site:
Gerri Santoro.....died in 1964 at age 27 ....after a botched illegal abortion.

endured the verbal and physical abuse of a spouse .....then left the marriage..... when ...her estranged husband was coming to visit the girls...she panicked....she was pregnant by another man....the man that operated on her ..

Looks to me like Gerri had several "circumstances" against her--some of the circumstances are due to panic and desperation, and some are the result of "choices" she made.

Why are you satisfied to have this woman living in fear of an abusive husband just so long as she has a legal method to kill her baby? That sounds crazy--work on the social problem that lead to her circumstances--abortion is no panacea as evidenced by the photo. This "rally cry" around this woman is exploitative.


Also from the site:
...sacrificed ...life in a painful suicide..... Gerri Santoro made this sacrifice. And she has not been the only one.

That part is curious...was is "suicide" or was it a "botched abortion?" Why would the site say that if Gerri intended to come out alive from her attempted abortion?

 

[Felicity]

Pro-Choice site with the real story on Gerri Santoro (although I disagree with the conclusions concerning legalizing abortion rather than attacking social issues for social justice).

Gerri Twerdy Santoro
Gerri was estranged from her abusive husband when she met Clyde Dixon and became pregnant by him. Terrified that once her abusive husband returned to town and learned it was Dixon's baby she was carrying, he would kill her. She was determined and desperate to end her unintended pregnancy. That desperation and determination made her akin to thousands upon thousands of women in those days that were desperate and determined enough to terminate their unintended pregnancies in spite of the fact that abortion was illegal. Illegality affected the safety of abortion but it never affected the number of abortions that were performed.

Gerri was 6 1/2 months pregnant in June 1964. Gerri's boyfriend obtained a medical book and borrowed some surgical equipment. They went to a motel where Dixon tried to perform the abortion. When the attempt failed, when it all went terribly wrong, Dixon fled the scene, leaving her there to die, alone, in this cold impersonal hotel room. She was bleeding profusely and tried with towels to stop it but she couldn't. How frightened she must have been, knowing she was going to die. She was found like this, on her stomach with her knees under her, her face not visible, bloody, nude, alone and dead.

Two lives were needlessly and sadly lost here. This horrible sad picture of death makes clear that illegal abortion not only harms and kills women, it has never ever saved one baby.

 

[Sammy2]

Ok, second Felicity IVF thread I've seen.

Felicity, what exactly is your issue? I'm new here, don't have a history with you but you really don't do any justice for the "pro-life" side of the coin if that's what you are trying (very badly) to get across.

IVF is a personal choice to TRY to have a baby. It's not about anything other than that for the couples who choose to go that route. So many women have spontaneous abortions (even though they got preggo through loving, caring, intentional baby-making sex) so, what should they do? Not try again? Not be emotionally distrought? What? That's better somehow?

I don't get your point and I certainly do not understand how you think that a discussion about IVF belongs on an abortion thread at all. Unless, of course you have a birth control pill, IUD, pull and pray, nuvo-ring, rubber thread running around here as well?

:shock:

 

[Felicity]

Ok, second Felicity IVF thread I've seen.

Felicity, what exactly is your issue? I'm new here, don't have a history with you but you really don't do any justice for the "pro-life" side of the coin if that's what you are trying (very badly) to get across.

If that is indeed the case, I am amazed at how desperately the pro-choice side tries to silence me. Either it is very touching that you all care so much about how I represent the side you are against (how very altruistic) or there is some threat in the arguments I pose. At any rate, the pro-choice side may stop the critiques--no matter your opinion of me and my arguments, I'm not going anywhere.

IVF is a personal choice to TRY to have a baby. It's not about anything other than that for the couples who choose to go that route. So many women have spontaneous abortions (even though they got preggo through loving, caring, intentional baby-making sex) so, what should they do? Not try again? Not be emotionally distrought? What? That's better somehow?

That's pretty much the question posed here. Is the additional struggle and pain that specifically the IVF fertility treatment causes, or is it not, additional torture for already distraught women?

How come no one addresses the several medical journal articles I posted on this very topic? Is it that it is valid reason to question the procedure?

I don't get your point and I certainly do not understand how you think that a discussion about IVF belongs on an abortion thread at all. Unless, of course you have a birth control pill, IUD, pull and pray, nuvo-ring, rubber thread running around here as well?

:shock:

I do believe life BEGINS at conception--so yes, I believe those types of BC are causing abortions (save the withdrawl and condom methods). However, IVF is additionally detrimental in that it further harms women (see the resources I quoted) and it is an INTENTIONAL creation of life the results in purposefull killing of life. This thread is to deal with the effect to the woman/mother only. The other thread I hope to progress to other areas of the objective immorality of the IVF procedure and consequences of the technology.

 

[aps]

Ok, second Felicity IVF thread I've seen.

Felicity, what exactly is your issue? I'm new here, don't have a history with you but you really don't do any justice for the "pro-life" side of the coin if that's what you are trying (very badly) to get across.

IVF is a personal choice to TRY to have a baby. It's not about anything other than that for the couples who choose to go that route. So many women have spontaneous abortions (even though they got preggo through loving, caring, intentional baby-making sex) so, what should they do? Not try again? Not be emotionally distrought? What? That's better somehow?

I don't get your point and I certainly do not understand how you think that a discussion about IVF belongs on an abortion thread at all. Unless, of course you have a birth control pill, IUD, pull and pray, nuvo-ring, rubber thread running around here as well?

:shock:

It is impressive that for as short a time you have been here, you have made a very accurate assessment. :clap:

 

[Felicity]

:clap:

Aps, do you want to address the medical research that supports the question I've posed? http://www.debatepolitics.com/445434-post6.html

 

[tecoyah]

People are imperfect creatures. People can make choices based on irrational hope, desperate desire, ignorance, denial, frustration, ...the list goes on... It is not "patriarchal" or "condescending" to discuss the objective rationale behind choices and weight them carefully to draw conclusions. It is an exercise in logic and rational thought. To deny that one may "consider" such things amounts to your Orwellian allusion--to censor thought is Big Brother run amok.

Yes...people can, and will make poor choices.....we call this Living. To deny them this option is to remove the freedoms we Humans need to learn. Discussion of these choices is wonderful, and helpful. Attempting to remove these choices is tantamount to Slavery to a System.....and should in my opinion, be avoided.


Sure--those are very valid points. however--not on topic in the Abortion forum. Here we discuss reproductive issues.

Actually, you have based much of your position on an emotional premis, thus to further explore this option these questions are quite relevant.


Again...sure...start a thread....not the point of this thread. This thread is about IVF--which has been pointed out--are very wanted children.
See Above
See above.
See Above
See above.


This is relevant to the discussion...what about it? Is the emotional cost of IVF a fair trade off, or is it, as I have suggested COMPOUNDING the pain?

Yes, it is a fair tradeoff to those who make this choice, as you would know from the one member who has lived the experience, and has stated her opinion.

These also could be relevant to the discussion--but i think they would support the idea that the pain resulting from IVF compounds the pain of infertility and I don't think that is what you want to express.

See Above....Unless we wish this thread to be nothing but Conjecture....it would seem paying attention to personal experience might be beneficial.

These are really social and family issues unrelated to infertility and IVF, so I don't think they are relative to this thread.

Actually, again as you base your argument on Emotional footing, you open the discussion to Human Psycological effects....why not let them be discussed, rather than trying to guide the debate to the limitations in your limited stance?

Is that "pro-choice porn?" I mean, the photos of aborted children are called pro-life porn--apparently we've discovered its counterpart!

Actually....I believe this term was mentioned once of twice in passing by a member, and has since become a regular part of your vocabulary....as distastful as you claimed it to be at the time (and I agree), you certainly seem to use it often.

In my view--that is a desperate woman and a tragedy. The abortion (or the lack of availability of an abortion) is not what killed her, her circumstances and "choices" did.

I fully agree...She made a poor choice, and paid for it. How many more would you expect to make this type of choice....if Abortion were unavailable as a general rule?

 

[Felicity]

This is relevant to the discussion...what about it? Is the emotional cost of IVF a fair trade off, or is it, as I have suggested COMPOUNDING the pain?

Yes, it is a fair tradeoff to those who make this choice, as you would know from the one member who has lived the experience, and has stated her opinion.

One member (and she didn't use IVF)...I offered MEDICAL STUDIES on many women who rated their experience in several areas of the process...why aren't you adressing those. Go ahead--read them--ultimately, in the conclusion they draw pretty undecided conclusions concerning the question posed.

These also could be relevant to the discussion--but i think they would support the idea that the pain resulting from IVF compounds the pain of infertility and I don't think that is what you want to express.

See Above....Unless we wish this thread to be nothing but Conjecture....it would seem paying attention to personal experience might be beneficial.

That is what I am asking you to do--and pay attention to not just ONE personal experience.

These are really social and family issues unrelated to infertility and IVF, so I don't think they are relative to this thread.

Actually, again as you base your argument on Emotional footing, you open the discussion to Human Psycological effects....why not let them be discussed, rather than trying to guide the debate to the limitations in your limited stance?

If they relate to IVF--go for it! Those suggestions showed no link.

Is that "pro-choice porn?" I mean, the photos of aborted children are called pro-life porn--apparently we've discovered its counterpart!

Actually....I believe this term was mentioned once of twice in passing by a member, and has since become a regular part of your vocabulary....as distastful as you claimed it to be at the time (and I agree), you certainly seem to use it often.

You are confusing me with another pro-life poster. I know...we all look alike to you...:roll:

In my view--that is a desperate woman and a tragedy. The abortion (or the lack of availability of an abortion) is not what killed her, her circumstances and "choices" did.

I fully agree...She made a poor choice, and paid for it. How many more would you expect to make this type of choice....if Abortion were unavailable as a general rule?

The Straight Dope: Before Roe v. Wade, did 10,000 women a year die from illegal abortions?

The myth of rampant back alley butchering is a myth. God how I wish you people who only support the women's right to kill her offspring would toss your money to the social issues that lead women to desperation. SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WOMEN is one area MATERNITY HOMES is another--There's plenty that COULD be done. Can you imagine the facilities that could be built if pro-life and pro-choice BOTH put money THERE? Planned Parenthood is ROLLING in cash--What if they actually lived up to the "parenthood" part of their name and supported women who made the CHOICE to keep the babies? (I started another thread on it... "SOLUTIONS")

 

[brewmenn]

I don't have a problem with IVF but certainly, as with any other medical procedure, any risks, including possible emotional trauma, should be made known to the patient beforehand, and the appropriate steps should be taken to minimize them.

But to ban it just because some women had a tough time with it? No.

 

[Felicity]

I don't have a problem with IVF but certainly, as with any other medical procedure, any risks, including possible emotional trauma, should be made known to the patient beforehand, and the appropriate steps should be taken to minimize them.

But to ban it just because some women had a tough time with it? No.

Do you think a woman who has struggled with infertility is emotionally equipped to make an objective decision concerning the pain and disappointment that IVF brings to her life--EVEN if she is eventually successful? The studies seem to indicate that the choices the women make are tainted by their desire and even when given the information, do not feel adequately "prepared."