Christianity & IVF - do the two go hand-in-hand?

[nut]

I agree that you should have no problem with using the technology that is available to you. I think that the OP suggestions that you only fertilise the eggs you will implant is an excellent way to ensure that it is an ethical and respectful process.

With your specific situation, with your DH away so much, and the previous history of ectopic babies and the fact you are still young and healthy I think you might have great success with IVF. I remember you from the TTC thread back in January-February and I feel so strongly that you will be a great mamma, and that you deserve to be blessed in this way.

If you do have doubts do discuss them with your spiritual leader-person but from my POV you should go for it!!

[B-belle]

Originally Posted by Damona

Religion teaches us and tells us all sorts of things...they are guides...faith lies in the heart...its your relationship with God and if you feel at peace about IVF, then follow your heart!!

That is the most beautiful and true thing I have heard all week! Thankyou!

[defaipe]

Originally Posted by emily&clares mum

(as long as they use there own eggs and sperm)

just out of curiosity why would using a donor egg or sperm be wrong??

[blessedmummy]

hmmm good question shezi... havent really thought about that... i spose it wouldnt since if someone couldnt use there own eggs and sperm for some reason, hmmm

[MilkOnTap]

After chatting with another woman at my church who is also TTC (3 years now) she also battles the same thoughts - Christianity vs IVF. She seems to think that providing its Gods voice that your hearing when you use IVF, then it is okay.

I am inclined to agree with her (I think). I certainly dont feel that God is telling me to go to IVF yet though, so I'm gonna hold off and continue believing that he knows the desire of my heart to become a mother!

Oh - and about the egg & sperm - I definitely agree that BOTH MUST be yours and your partners... It kind of voids the notion of you BOTH becoming parents otherwise...

[Cheekychops]

My brother and his DW decided no on that.......but other friends of ours that are christians decided yes for IVF......so it's a very personal choice and as long as you feel comfortable with God about it iykwim it's just something you need to decide on.

I really don't think IVF is having a lack of faith - you can stand in a garage and believe you are a car but you never will be a car.....sometimes things just don't happen......God can make anything happen, but he doesn't always choose to......also IVF doesn't always work for everyone.

Who knows?? If you choose IVF, you may meet someone - nurse, doctor, fellow IVFian and touch their life with God's light iykwim...... we never know the intricate workings of God's plans.......

Hope that's made a bit of sense....

[jacquit]

Do you think God intended my DH, who is incredibly healthy and fit, to have a very low SC. Do you think God intended me to have had 3 strokes and therefore the need to be closely monitored during pregnancy. Do you think God intended to "bless" His children with complications such as ovarian cysts, edometriosis, poor sperm mobility etc etc etc etc.

Ladies, you need to do some research in to IVF and understand reasons why people need to undergo the process before you make claims on how God and other Christians view it.

God loves us SO much. He doesn't want to cause suffering. Not being able to conceive is suffering. I believe God created the incredibly intelligent scientist who invented IVF. Scientists are Christians too.When you research the process of IVF, it is an absolute miracle - as is natural conception.

Unfortunately, in IVF, many of the fertilised embryos discontinue to grow and so too does that happen naturally without women always knowing - causing miscarriage. Most women are left with only about 3 fetilised embryos used for transfer and most women use those for their children at different periods. Not only that, but many cycles in IVF are unsuccessful, the embryo stops growth in the womb and dies, causing miscarriage. That happens in natural conception too.

You know, IVF and Christianity is a tough one and when looked in too deeply it does cause the Christian to question their faith. BUT, if looking at it as a gift from God, a miracle, an ease to suffering, then rejoice in the Lord for your future child/ children and the opportunity to undergo and watch closely the incredibly miracle of conception and and how incredible God is for what he has created.

As you have probably guessed, i am a christian undergoing IVF and every day i thank God for the opportunity even though it is incredible hard! I thank him for the child he has waiting for us. I thank him for giving us hope to overcome illness / sperm complications etcetc. God is good and only wants the best for his created children. Why would he want to deny his followers the desires of their hearts?

I also see IVF as another chapter of your ever changing testimony to God. your journeys, no matter how difficult they are, contribute to your testimony and your future help of others experiencing same / similar problems.

I know I've rambled, hope I have made some sense.

[jacquit]

One more thing.....

With the embryos you don't use, couples can take them away with them (normally the clinic will dispose of them) and hold a "ceremony" of some sort, bury them and then perhaps plant a tree. like the maori people do with the placenta. (I'm a kiwi by the way that's how I know this).

That's one way to overcome the loss of an embryo and committ it/ them to God.

Hope this info is a bit helpful. and perhaps check out the IVF forum and get to know a bit about the women undergoing IVF and the hardships they endure.

[FOURtunate]

I have just devoted 5 months of my life to donating my eggs to a dear couple who have been TTC for 9 years.

I endured countless internal ultrasounds, blood tests every second day, took The Pill for 3 weeks, injected myself for nearly 4 weeks, and finally two days ago I produced 18 eggs for them. The procedure was horribly painful, there was a slight complication and I still resting today 50 hours later.

Did I go against God's will? Are the amazing Doctors, Nurses and Scientists who produce miracles everyday doing an evil act? Are these much longed for babies any less loved because they were born unaturally, or against the God's intent?

Please enlighten me on this subject as I am confused about what God created, and what he did not? I was under the impression that God created science.

I guess the next questions are -

Do you think it's against God's will to undergo chemotherapy for cancer? Give your child Antibiotics for Meningococcal? Have a Caesarean when a Pregnant Mother is bleeding to death?

[Briannabear]

Originally Posted by jacquit

God loves us SO much. He doesn't want to cause suffering. Not being able to conceive is suffering. I believe God created the incredibly intelligent scientist who invented IVF. Scientists are Christians too.When you research the process of IVF, it is an absolute miracle - as is natural conception.

Well said! I agree 100%. Im a Christian and I believe that IVF is wonderful because it enriches peoples lives with the gift of life.