Former ReproTech Patients Unplugged

ReproTech patients gather in a first-of-its-kind forum to discuss the complex emotional burden of failed ReproTech treatment and the loss of parenthood. In a raw and honest exchange, you’ll hear women underscore the importance of compassion and camaraderie. They explore the multi-dimensional personal-socio-cultural dynamics that come in the wake of failed IVF. Among the topics explored in this former ReproTech patient round table

(Also find the discussion on ‘Unplugged’ in the sidebar):

• The emotional identity issues faced by Generation IVF
• The lack of palliative care from clinics selling ReproTech services
• The absence of language and support for ReproTech patients who can’t conceive.
• The trauma that comes when clinics abandon the human side of patient care and turn their focus to selling new treatments or the recruiting of new ReproTech patient / clients
• The void created following an unsuccessful embryo transfer.
• The importance of giving voice to the trauma to both process and come to terms with the ensuring ReproTech grief and losses.

ReproTech Patients Say

“It also takes a village to grieve the loss of not having children and there’s no protocol for that.”

“People view the idea that you couldn’t have kids in a very black and white way. It’s just a very linear thing to people who haven’t gone through it. Whereas for us in our lives, it’s such an odyssey … going through the whole process of grieving — and figuring out that you’re grieving — because there’s no reflection of you, if feels anywhere out in the world and what it takes to start the reinvention process.”

“The [IVF] treatment and losses so intensely changed my world view. I’m constantly out in the world dealing with people who have no concept that this is life-altering, that it changes a person.”

We encourage you to share your untold IVF story.

We invite you to submit a narrative essay (some 800-900 words) that brings your story into focus. We want to convey your voice, which is why if writing sounds intimidating you might start with recording yourself telling the story. This will help organize your essay and make the writing flow.

Most importantly, we understand the trauma that often accompanies this experience and the difficulties that can arise in reliving it. Be kind to yourself and take deep breaths …

Some thought starter questions:

• What do you wish you knew going into the ReproTech patient experience?
• What were the impacts (emotional, cultural, and physical) of the experience?
• Did you feel the clinic staff took the time to explain the losses that might ensue?
• Did you receive any follow-up care following your cycles?
• Other takeaways you’d like to share?

Once again, please provide your consent for us to publish. We appreciate that you may prefer a pseudonym or first name only.  If you’re open to it, we’d like to know more about you for an intro bio (e.g. your city, state or country; your work/interests; your age when seeking out a clinic and your age when you stopped.) Finally, we appreciate that you may prefer a pseudonym or first name only. Thank you for your contributions.