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“This is an interactive story about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) told from two perspectives: Parent and Child. Select one to continue.”

Comments  3

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Erin B.

As someone who has gone through IVF, I wish there were more journeys that depicted stories of women who aren't able to get pregnant through IVF, but who end up OK. Oftentimes, the IVF journeys shown in the media are depicting successful pregnancies or the idea that "one day" you'll be successful if only you stick with it long enough. I know they're meant with good intention and to encourage those who are on a difficult path with infertility. However, I think there's also a downside. There is a mental, physical, monetary, and emotional toll that comes with staying on the path too long, with the hope of what could be one day. I stayed on the IVF journey longer than I maybe should have, in part because there aren't many examples out there showing how to know when the time has come to take the next off-ramp. I imagine others have probably been in a similar boat. I kept watching this interactive journey wanting a side door to open up, leading the woman to a different life... one that was unimagined, but still sweet and full of hope and vibrancy...

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Katrin Edited

Your comment reminded me of this Dear Sugar column - the query is different (how do I decide whether to have kids), but the image of the sister lives that we might have had and chose not to live has stuck with me. Having had children after years of infertility, I still think about that other life I didn't have, and what that might have been like. In the story, I also missed this thread - not just as an exit, but as a valuable, livable, important alternative. As it is, the reality depicted (a mother-to-be and a child that does not exist, hoping to eventually meet) seems much too narrow and limiting.

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Erin B.

I love me some Dear Sugar... I read those pieces years ago, long before my IVF journey. I'd love to revisit them now, thanks for the reminder.

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