Once a taboo, the topic of infertility—especially assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilisation, or IVF—has now become a common subject, especially among couples trying to conceive. Far from what it was like discussing such a hushed issue three decades ago, the world has become more open and more aware of this science-mediated procedure of cultivating embryos outside the human womb. Perhaps it also helped that more people, including notable personalities, have made their IVF journeys public.
Former US First Lady Michelle Obama, for instance, wrote in her book Becoming how she and former President Barack Obama turned to IVF when they realised that at her age, her “biological clock is real” and that “egg production is limited”. They now have two lovely daughters, Malia and Sasha, conceived through IVF.
The Obamas aren’t the only big names who underwent this fertility treatment. stars Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston also revealed their respective experiences; and while Cox had a successful delivery after a second try, Aniston’s journey was challenging. Kourtney Kardashian also documented. Eventually, the American socialite revealed her frozen embryos “did not survive the thaw” and that they were “done with IVF”. Finally, in November last year, they welcomed their son, Rocky Thirteen, just when they “stopped trying”.
