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To think some people treat IVF like ordering a designer baby?

60 replies

MyHazelCritic · 14/07/2025 21:49

Not all, obviously, but there’s a rising trend of turning fertility into a consumer project: selecting traits, planning sibling sets, documenting every step online. It’s not always about creating life, sometimes it’s about curating an image.

OP posts:
MyHazelCritic · 14/07/2025 22:03

HeyMona · 14/07/2025 21:56

I don’t know how people are selecting traits?
Or what you mean by planning sibling sets (unless you mean people actively seeking to have twins).
For me and many people it’s just a chance to have children, I don’t recognise what you are describing (although I don’t use instagram so maybe that’s where you’re seeing this).

I hear that and I do agree IVF is a lifeline for many. I’m not talking about people navigating infertility with care and realism. I’m more pointing to how, in some circles (yes, often Instagram/TikTok), it’s becoming a curated journey: selecting embryos based on cosmetic or non-medical traits, announcing ‘gender reveals’ before implantation, or designing sibling sets for aesthetics or content. It’s not the majority but the shift in tone and framing is worth reflecting on.

OP posts:
My19thNervousNameChange · 14/07/2025 22:02

Ah good. I was waiting for today's lobbed in rage-bomb and here it is! Phew.

Howtotrainarabbit · 14/07/2025 22:01

So agree in that sense

but didn't think you could select anything if doing it in this country

RitaFromThePitCanteen · 14/07/2025 22:01

I haven't heard of this, and I know people going through IVF and that doesn't sound like their experience, from what they've told me. Do you have more info, a link or something?

Howtotrainarabbit · 14/07/2025 22:01

I know someone who is having ivf abroad to choose the sex

namechangeGOT · 14/07/2025 22:00

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. That is all.

TY78910 · 14/07/2025 22:00

Yeah I’ll need you to elaborate on this perception. I’ve not heard of anyone (that I personally know) to be making GMO babies. Yes, you will get a “catalogue” for instance when looking at sperm donors, but that’s so that you are compatible (illness history, resemblance to parents), but not to engineer what you want your kid to look like, like it’s the Sims.

DropZone5PleaseBen · 14/07/2025 21:59

Yep you've evidently never needed IVF..

allthesmallthingsarehere · 14/07/2025 21:58

You clearly have not done IVF yourself.

HeyMona · 14/07/2025 21:56

I don’t know how people are selecting traits?
Or what you mean by planning sibling sets (unless you mean people actively seeking to have twins).
For me and many people it’s just a chance to have children, I don’t recognise what you are describing (although I don’t use instagram so maybe that’s where you’re seeing this).