The Journey to Fertility with Rebecca Mathews

The Ladies Who Lead

From Heartache to Hope, Rebecca shares her difficult journey to motherhood. It's a story full of heartbreak, shock, and hope for those who are looking to IVF treatment in Alabama. She discusses the longing to complete her family and the devastation that the recent Alabama Supreme ruling has had on her family and those going through IVF in the state.

Rebecca is a wife and mother of two through IVF and surrogacy. On the other side of IVF, she is using her voice to advocate for those who feel they are not being heard since the recent ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court. She believes in advocating for women's reproductive rights and has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, Ground News, ABC News, and WSFA 12

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Additional Info.
In-vitro fertilization is a medical procedure where doctors induce ovulation to remove eggs from a patient and fertilize them with sperm outside the body. The resulting embryos can either be implanted into a patient’s uterus in the hopes of getting pregnant, or the embryos can be frozen for future use. Some embryos are usually discarded in the process – an action that now violates Alabama’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, a civil law dating back to 1872 that allows parents to sue over the death of a child. “Applies to all unborn children, regardless of location and developmental stage.”

The overturn of Roe v. Wade and a recent incident in Mobile was a catalyst that sparked questions surrounding the sanctity of unborn life. An incident took place at the Mobile Infirmary Medical Center where a patient wandered into the area and removed several embryos, dropping them on the floor, resulting in killing the embryos.

Last week the Alabama Supreme Court paused IVF in the state of Alabama causing many parents to worry about growing their families who could be facing criminal prosecution along with their doctors. Friday, the Alabama Attorney General's office released a statement explaining they have no intention to prosecute IVF families or providers.

However, medical experts share concerns about the widespread effects this may have across the country as well as creating a blueprint for groups and legislators who may wish to target fertility treatments.

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Sources
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/us/alabama-ivf-embryos-supreme-court-ruling-legislation/index.html

https://time.com/6696794/supreme-court-alabama-embryos-children/

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/02/23/1233023637/ivf-alabama-frozen-embryo-personhood-abortion-supreme-court

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/alabama-hospital-puts-pause-ivf-wake-ruling-frozen-107425681

https://www.foxnews.com/health/alabama-providers-suspend-ivf-treatments-state-courts-ruling-fertility-experts

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/21/us/university-alabama-birmingham-ivf-embryo-ruling.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716#:~:text=During%20IVF%20%2C%20mature%20eggs%20are,the%20process%20can%20take%20longer

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/alabama-ivf-clinic-halts-services-after-state-rules-frozen-embryos-are-children_n_65d63d01e4b0cc1f2f7a731f