Since the first “test tube baby” (a child named Louise Brown) was born in England in 1978, more than 3 million children have come into the world thanks to fertility treatments… and more are likely to become part of our society as reproductive health science procedures become even more refined.

There’s little doubt that fertility treatments have radically changed the way women and men feel about themselves, their relationships and their lives.  Whereas before there was little hope for someone who couldn’t conceive, now there is a decent chance that, if nothing else, an answer can be found to his, her or their issue. 

This type of paradigm shift in the way we think about conception and birth is powerful.  It’s also stressful on some levels, as the decision to embark upon fertility treatments is a very personal journey that takes a lot of soul-searching.

Fortunately, the next generation (and the generation after that and so on) will likely experience less of the stigma of seeking fertility treatments than do some modern individuals and couples.  As more education and information becomes available, the realities and understanding of procedures like IVF and egg donation will no doubt become less mysterious and more commonplace.

In the meantime, we feel privileged to be a part of the industry that’s brought happiness to so many people throughout the world for the past 30+ years.