Most people have heard of IVF even if they know very little about infertility. I personally know quite a few people that have had babies through IVF and I also know a few people that have tried it but it didn’t work. The topic of IVF seems to be coming up a lot more lately and with us approaching 2 years since we first started TTC (trying to conceive) it’s also come up between my husband and I. We’re definitely not opposed to IVF if it came down to it but IVF costs A LOT of money and it’s not something that we can just decide today and make an appointment to do in the near future. Many people don’t know but there are SO MANY costs associated with IVF. The prescription drugs that you have to use costs thousands of dollars alone. It would take a lot of talking and planning before we could even think to move in that direction.
As Christians, my husband and I don’t have a problem with IFV but it seems that some Christians have a problem with it. I’ve seen and heard people say some pretty hurtful things about IVF and other fertility treatments. Not just people, but Christians. They feel that it goes against God’s word (not sure of the scriptural support that’s used in this). Here is my thought: I’m no theologian but I do love the Lord. I think people are entitled to their opinions but I also know that we are all called to love and speak in love. We all will have different opinions on things but those are YOUR opinions and in times like these, I think it’s wise to keep your opinion to yourself. Especially if your opinion is going to hurt the person you’re offering it to. I think in some situations, dialogue is okay if it’s healthy but it’s also important to recognize if a person is even open to dialogue. Infertility is such a sensitive topic and honestly, some people just may not be ready to have that dialogue…and that’s okay.
Infertility is hard enough to deal with without being told that the treatment you decide to use “goes against God”. You have no idea what this walk is like until you’ve walked it, so again, if you know of anyone that may be going through infertility, please be gentle with your words. Encourage, support, and pray for them.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
Kristen D. Johnson