HAVING A BABY

Is the Philippines a new go-to destination for In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) in Southeast Asia? Tatler takes a deep dive into this once-controversial medical procedure to know where we are now and what lies ahead

- Maritess Garcia Reyes

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. Friends 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 her going in vitro with her husband, Travis Barker, in the Hulu family reality series, The Kardashians. 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".

These stories show that IVF, or any infertility treatment, may not be the solution for all, as everyone has different circumstances and concerns as far as their reproductive system and bodies are concerned. Still, as the old adage goes, there's no harm in trying. The good news is that IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies are now more accessible-both locationwise and price-wise-almost anywhere in the world.