I am writing this blog in response to a private message I received from a families.com member. She asked about finding a fertility specialist that is pro life. This is an interesting question, so I spent this morning in search of some answers.
Many Christians feel conflicted when undergoing treatments for infertility, especially assisted reproductive technologies. One concern is clinics fertilizing more eggs than can be used in a single cycle. Since Christians believe these souls are living human beings, most worry about the ethics surrounding the procedures.
Another issue is the use of selective reduction by many infertility clinics. This procedure is often done when too many fertilized eggs implant in the woman’s uterus. When there are too many embryos, the woman is at risk of losing all of them. For this reason, a few are selected for removal, which allows the pregnancy to continue.
Many religions take issue with these practices. It is for this reason that many religions, for example the Catholic Church are against assisted reproductive technologies. The Pro Life Alliance wants all assisted reproductive technologies outlawed in the United States. This would include IVF, GIFT, ZIFT and other procedures.
When you are interviewing reproductive endocrinologists, ask questions to determine if their philosophy fits with your religious beliefs. In many cases, you can have only the eggs that will be used in the current cycle fertilized. Have no more than two embryos implanted in any cycle to avoid conceiving too many children. This would eliminate the need for both freezing and selective reduction.
If your doctor’s practices don’t mesh with your religious beliefs, consider looking for a pro life doctor. These can be difficult to find, since most reproductive endocrinologists use these procedures on a daily basis. You can try asking your pastor or priest, calling a Catholic hospital or searching online. Many pro life organizations keep databases of pro life physicians and may be able to direct you to an appropriate doctor in your area.
Related Articles:
What is In Vitro Fertilization?
Finding the Right Infertility Specialist
When to Seek Help Getting Pregnant