Comments on: UK removes "need for supportive parenting" from guidelines http://fertilityfile.com/2008/05/22/uk-removes-need-for-supportive-parenting-from-guidelines/ The inside view from a reproductive endocrinologist Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:22:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Rachel http://fertilityfile.com/2008/05/22/uk-removes-need-for-supportive-parenting-from-guidelines/#comment-33 Rachel Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:56:05 +0000 http://fertilityfile.com/2008/05/22/uk-removes-need-for-supportive-parenting-from-guidelines/#comment-33 I'm enjoying working my way through your back catalog here! I appreciate the glimpses into what happens in the RE's office behind the scenes. I do have to say, though, that I don't agree with your logic about the US's "safety system" that ensures that "only financially stable women could afford to be single mothers by choice". There are probably many women who could provide a loving, stable, financially independent homes for dearly-wanted children, and yet who cannot afford the $10-20K per attempt price ticket of IVF. That's not ensuring that only financially stable women can have babies; it's ensuring that only *wealthy* women can have babies. And with regard to lesbians, there are many couples who can offer stable, loving homes. Many of those couples have spent years with both paying plenty into the NIH for straight couples' birth control, pediatricians, etc. If those couples are having trouble conceiving (and many do try "low tech" home inseminations first, and only turn to medical assistance when it's truly needed) then they're as entitled to the medical treatment they need as anyone is. I’m enjoying working my way through your back catalog here! I appreciate the glimpses into what happens in the RE’s office behind the scenes.

I do have to say, though, that I don’t agree with your logic about the US’s “safety system” that ensures that “only financially stable women could afford to be single mothers by choice”.

There are probably many women who could provide a loving, stable, financially independent homes for dearly-wanted children, and yet who cannot afford the $10-20K per attempt price ticket of IVF. That’s not ensuring that only financially stable women can have babies; it’s ensuring that only *wealthy* women can have babies.

And with regard to lesbians, there are many couples who can offer stable, loving homes. Many of those couples have spent years with both paying plenty into the NIH for straight couples’ birth control, pediatricians, etc. If those couples are having trouble conceiving (and many do try “low tech” home inseminations first, and only turn to medical assistance when it’s truly needed) then they’re as entitled to the medical treatment they need as anyone is.

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