IVF: all for the love of a child

IVF Journeys: From Brave Women to Courageous Mothers - Élhée

ARTICLE SUMMARY:

Assisted Reproduction in France
Taking care of your body to foster resilience

In France, according to the latest figures published in 2018, 758,590 babies were born, of which 25,120 (3.3%) were thanks to assisted reproduction. This number has been constantly increasing since the first birth by in vitro fertilization in 1982. Despite that, the “test-tube babies” born that year required almost 150,000 insemination attempts from their parents. This statistic is both dizzying and indicative of the strength required by all couples who embark on a journey of medically assisted reproduction. This conviction is even stronger given that the average success rate of IVF and artificial inseminations remains relatively low, between 10% to 25%.

Assisted Reproduction in France

We talk about medically assisted reproduction (MAR) or assisted reproduction (AMP) when discussing enabling or facilitating the meeting between an oocyte and sperm, with the goal of achieving a pregnancy. Like adoption, MAR is one of the solutions available in France to address infertility.

Who can benefit?

The first French law regarding "the donation and use of human body elements and products, medically assisted reproduction, and prenatal diagnosis" dates back to 1994. At the time, it only applied to heterosexual couples having difficulties conceiving a child.

Since then, the Bioethics Law enacted in August 2021 has modernized the rules. MAR is now available not only to heterosexual couples, but also to lesbian couples and single women, whether or not they have fertility issues. It is the advent of “MAR for all.”

How to begin a medically assisted reproduction procedure?

Overall, the pre-MAR process is the same for everyone. A fertility assessment is done for lesbian couples or single women who do not appear to have issues conceiving a child.

For heterosexual couples, after 12 to 24 months of unsuccessful attempts to conceive, an infertility assessment is carried out to determine, when possible, the medical, genetic, andrological, gynecological, or other cause of the issue.

For all, it’s the start of a long journey, often exhausting, emotionally challenging, filled with medical appointments, dates, deadlines, constraints, tests, exams, questions, doubts, and self-doubt.

Different MAR techniques depending on profiles

Depending on the causes of infertility and the profile of the couple or future mother, three medically assisted reproduction techniques may be proposed.

Artificial insemination
IVF
Embryo reception

Artificial insemination is the oldest and least invasive of the three methods. It is also often the starting point for MAR journeys. It requires, on one hand, that the future mother’s fallopian tubes are healthy and, on the other hand, the collection of sperm from her partner or a donor. The male gametes are then introduced directly into the woman’s uterus to encourage natural fertilization.

In vitro fertilization takes place outside the woman’s body. The oocyte and sperm meet in the lab, before being implanted into the uterus to develop.

IVF can also be an in vitro fertilization with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). In this case, instead of waiting for sperm to penetrate the oocyte naturally, a micro-injection is used to directly insert the best sperm at the optimal moment. The resulting embryo or embryos can then be transferred into the uterus to develop.

Note that IVF can be performed using donor sperm, donor egg, or, in some cases, both (double gamete donation).

In France, embryo reception is the least used technique for medical reproduction. In reality, it is used mainly when other methods have failed, if there’s a risk of transmitting a genetic disease, or to support single and infertile women who wish to have a baby.

Here, the embryo implanted in the recipient’s uterus comes from anonymous donors who no longer plan to become parents, or who have chosen to donate.

These different procedures are generally preceded by one or more ovarian stimulation cycles, first taken orally and then by injection. These times are often difficult because they are emotionally complicated and painful; they make daily life for future parents and mothers challenging and sometimes psychologically harsh. For the love of their desired child, these women draw upon and mobilize all the courage they have within themselves.

MAR and parentage: mothers, fathers, and children

Just as with babies conceived naturally, parentage is automatic for married heterosexual couples who use MAR without donors. Unmarried or civil union couples must undergo paternity recognition.

For female couples, a visit to the notary is necessary to establish joint and pre-birth recognition of the child. Thus, since parentage between the woman who gives birth and her child is established by the birth certificate, both women are full mothers of their child.

Lesbian couples who underwent MAR abroad before August 3, 2021, can, until August 3, 2024, also go before a notary for joint recognition of their child.

Taking care of your body to foster resilience

Ovarian stimulations, hormone injections, medical follow-up, follicular aspirations, general anesthesia, embryo transfers, blood tests... For the body to welcome life, MAR puts women’s bodies to the test. Bodies and hearts, for that matter.

In 2017, INSERM published the following data: depending on the technique used, the chance of pregnancy ranges from about 10% to 22% per attempt. We also know that age is a key factor in the success of artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization. Before age 30, the probability is much higher than after age 40. Yet in France, the average age of mothers at the birth of their first child is nearly 29 years. That’s why, in case of difficulty conceiving, it is recommended to seek help quickly.

Because MAR journeys are long, tiring, overwhelming, filled with hope and disappointments that are always hard to handle, taking care of your body and mind even before the first insemination is crucial. And because, with rare exceptions, the medical staff will be overwhelmed and not very attentive, it’s up to each woman to surround herself with the right people and a cocoon of kindness as soon as possible.

Practice naturopathy to mitigate treatment effects

Naturopathy aims to balance the body through various all-natural methods such as dietary changes, fasting, or the use of herbal remedies. As a healthcare professional, the naturopath guides patients toward autonomy in health and restoring their self-healing capacities.

Additionally, to prepare the female body for the challenging MAR journey, optimizing nutrition and habits is a major advantage.

For example, proteins and omega-3s help with hormone production, while whole foods or seasonal fruits and vegetables enrich an anti-inflammatory diet that supports proper physiological functioning.

Meet the French Federation of Naturopaths.

Benefit from acupuncture to prepare your body for pregnancy

Chinese medicine is concerned with balance in the body as a whole. Among its specialties is acupuncture, which offers numerous benefits, particularly regarding fertility and motherhood.

Before and during pregnancy, several acupuncture points are important to address. Acupuncture can regulate female cycle disorders such as menstrual pain or spotting. It also promotes follicle growth, oocyte production, cervical mucus quality, and endometrial vascularization, aiding implantation.

Thus, two points are among the most commonly used in Chinese obstetric medicine: one prepares the body to receive and nurture life, while the other encourages the arrival of a calm, peaceful baby.

Learn about the French Federation of Midwife Acupuncturists.

Connect with a doula to discuss your journey together

The doula, from ancient Greek meaning "female slave," was, in Socrates’ time, part of the household staff. She was particularly dedicated to caring for her mistress, especially during pregnancy and childbirth.

Today, the doula acts as a spiritual coach or guide for expectant and young mothers, as well as their close family, partners, or children. Beyond the medical circle and alongside the midwife, she guides, reassures, supports, informs, shares, nurtures, and remains 100% available and willing to listen to needs and emotions.

During a MAR journey (or outside of it), the doula—especially a “fertility doula”—can be invaluable. With her, you can discuss the challenge of a strict protocol, physical pain, the desire for a child, longing while seeing other pregnant women, misunderstanding, and perhaps the guilt experienced with infertility…

Consult the directory of doulas in France.