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February 18, 2025 10 mins

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IVF is a complex interplay of science, emotion, and societal implications that shapes the journey of individuals seeking to conceive. We explore success rates, emotional challenges, coping strategies, and the evolving definition of family, reinforcing the necessity of knowledge and open dialogue in this deeply personal experience.

• IVF success rates and their influencing factors
• Emotional highs and lows of the IVF journey
• Importance of patient selection in achieving success
• Strategies for managing the anxiety and stress of IVF
• Role of communication in relationships during treatment
• Evolving family structures amidst advancements in reproductive technology
• Ethical considerations and societal questions surrounding IVF
• Necessity of support systems during the IVF process

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Episode Transcript

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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Life by Dr Pat Leading innovation in fertility
excellence.

Speaker 2 (00:06):
Deep dive into reproduction with Life by Dr Pat
.

Speaker 1 (00:10):
Shoulders to cry on through IVF journey.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
All right, let's jump right in.
Today we're doing a deep diveinto IVF and, wow, you found
some interesting stuff A YouTubevideo from a Bangkok clinic
Life by Dr Pat breaking downtheir success rates and wait,
some of his articles too.

Speaker 1 (00:27):
Yeah, I figured we could tackle both the data side
and the emotional side, because,like IVF, it's not just about
the science, right?

Speaker 2 (00:34):
Absolutely.
It's a huge life decision, yeah, okay, so we're starting in
Bangkok at this clinic Life byDr Pat and he's laying out all
these success rates.
But before we get too excited,maybe some context like IVF
basics for anyone just joiningus.

Speaker 1 (00:53):
Sure.
So IDF stands for in vitrofertilization and it's basically
helping people conceive outsidethe body.
Eggs are retrieved, fertilizedwith sperm in a lab setting, and
then that embryo is transferredback to the uterus.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
Gotcha.
So why are success rates sodifferent?
I mean we're seeing Dr Pat'sboasting 85%, but I know the
average in Thailand is way lower.
Why is that?

Speaker 1 (01:08):
So many factors Woman's age, overall health,
quality of the eggs and sperm.
Even lifestyle choices play arole and, of course, the
clinic's had patients from likewhat?
17 different countries.

Speaker 2 (01:18):
Average age is 39.
Youngest patient was 27.
Oldest 49.
Pretty wide range, huh.

Speaker 1 (01:30):
Yeah, it really shows you.
Ivf isn't just for you know, aspecific age group.
It's an option at variousstages in life.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
Right, but back to those high success rates.
For a sec I mean 85% per embryotransfer.
That's a lot higher than the57.5% tie average.
Why do you think that is?

Speaker 1 (01:47):
Tough to say definitively without you know
more info from Dr Pat.
But one thought patientselection Clinics with those
higher rates might have strictercriteria for who they accept,
focusing on patients with well,a better chance of success from
the get-go.

Speaker 2 (02:01):
So it's not just about the clinic itself, but
also who they treat.

Speaker 1 (02:05):
And got to remember.
Even with high success rates,there's no guarantees.
Everybody's different, respondsto treatment in its own way.

Speaker 2 (02:11):
True, true.
So okay, dr Pat's numbers lookgood, but got to keep in mind
individual outcomes vary.

Speaker 1 (02:18):
Couldn't have said it better myself, and that's where
the emotional side of all thisreally comes into play, which
we'll get to in a bit.

Speaker 2 (02:25):
Right.
So we're getting a picture oflife by Dr Pat.
Impressive stats Patientsflying in from everywhere may be
due to expertise, those highsuccess rates, but each person's
journey is unique.
These numbers aren't aguarantee.

Speaker 1 (02:38):
Exactly, and speaking of unique journeys, dr Pat's
articles, they really dive intothe emotional roller coaster of
IVF.

Speaker 2 (02:45):
You keep saying emotional roller coaster.
Why is that such a common wayto describe IVF?

Speaker 1 (02:54):
Well, think about it.
There's the hope.
When you start the excitement,then comes the stress of
appointments, the injections,waiting for results, then maybe
disappointment if a cycle fails,or overwhelming joy if it works
.
All this happening while youknow societal pressures exist.
Maybe personal doubts creep in.
Ah, a lot to handle.

Speaker 2 (03:09):
Sounds intense, and Dr Pat's articles don't shy away
from the tough stuff, huh.

Speaker 1 (03:12):
Not at all.
He actually goes into thepsychology of it all, even
compares failed IVF cycles tomiscarriages in terms of the
grief they can cause.

Speaker 2 (03:20):
Wow, that puts things into perspective, not just a
physical process, but a no, no.

Speaker 1 (03:29):
He talks about the hope and excitement people feel
too.
He even has this quote in onearticle.
Let me see it's amazing howexcited a couple gets about a 40
percent chance of gettingpregnant when in reality there's
more chance of it not working.

Speaker 2 (03:42):
That is so true.
When you're struggling withinfertility, even a small chance
can feel huge.
But got to be realistic aboutthose odds too.
And how do those odds like playinto the emotional side of it
all?

Speaker 1 (03:54):
Well, imagine putting all your hope into that 40
percent.
Then the disappointment of afailed cycle hits Devastating.
That's why managingexpectations, having a good
support system, that's crucialduring IVF.

Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, I see that it's not just the science, it's the
human side of it all.
So we left off talking aboutlike the weight of this whole
thing.
It's not just the science ofIVF, it's the emotional journey.

Speaker 1 (04:17):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (04:17):
And Dr Patton, he doesn't just mention it, he goes
pretty deep in these articles.

Speaker 1 (04:20):
Oh yeah, he offers some like real strategies for
handling the ups and downs, notjust hey, it's tough.
Good luck.

Speaker 2 (04:26):
OK, so there's actual advice, not just all doom and
gloom.

Speaker 1 (04:29):
Exactly, he talks about mindfulness, breathing
exercises, even yoga Stuff tomanage anxiety throughout, not
just when things you know gowrong.

Speaker 2 (04:39):
Makes sense.
I mean just thinking about allthe appointments, the procedures
.
I'd be a nervous wreck.

Speaker 1 (04:44):
Plus the meds used in IVF.
They can mess with your moodtoo, so having those coping
skills in place is huge.

Speaker 2 (04:50):
Right, right.
And it's not just your emotions, is it?
Yeah, dr Pat talks about thestrain on relationships too.

Speaker 1 (04:56):
Oh for sure he's big on communication with your
partner.
Ivf can really bond a couple,but it also forces those tough
conversations.

Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yeah, you need to be extra strong, communicate well
to get through something likethis together.

Speaker 1 (05:08):
He even suggests couples therapy if needed.
Recognizing you might need thatextra support.

Speaker 2 (05:13):
So it's like he goes above and beyond for his
patients.
That Facebook page Chit Chatwith Dr Pat is another example.

Speaker 1 (05:20):
Totally Creating that space, letting people connect,
share their stories, get infofrom someone they trust.

Speaker 2 (05:26):
But even online support, there are limits.
Right, it's great forconnection, but not a
replacement for like actualtherapy.
If you need it, oh, 100%, thosecommunities are valuable, but
not a replacement for likeactual therapy if you need it.

Speaker 1 (05:34):
Oh, 100 percent.
Those communities are valuable,but they shouldn't be your only
support.
Sometimes you need a therapist,someone specializing in
infertility, to really guide you.

Speaker 2 (05:43):
So he's covering all the bases info, coping
strategies, community, evenprofessional help.

Speaker 1 (05:48):
It seems that way and it shows achieving pregnancy,
yeah, that's the goal, but theemotional journey matters just
as much.

Speaker 2 (05:55):
OK, so we've got the science, the stats, dr Pat's
approach, all the feelingsinvolved, but I feel like
there's something bigger here,beyond just the individual
experience.

Speaker 1 (06:06):
Yeah, you're right, IVF getting more accessible,
more successful raises somesocietal questions too.

Speaker 2 (06:11):
Let's go there, the big picture stuff.
This is where things get reallyinteresting.

Speaker 1 (06:15):
Oh, absolutely.
We're talking about challengingtraditional ideas of family
parenthood.

Speaker 2 (06:19):
Like even without IVF .
Things have changed so much.

Speaker 1 (06:22):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (06:22):
Blended families, same-sex couples raising kids,
single parents by choice.

Speaker 1 (06:26):
And IVF adds a whole other layer People who maybe
couldn't have biological kids.
Now they can, and as tech getseven better, gene editing, maybe
even artificial wombs, whoknows?

Speaker 2 (06:37):
It's kind of mind-blowing where this could
all lead.
But it's not just the tech,it's how we adapt as a society.

Speaker 1 (06:43):
Exactly, ethical questions, potential for
inequality, making sure it'sused responsibly.
It's a lot.

Speaker 2 (06:50):
Yeah, no easy answers there, but a conversation we
need to be having.

Speaker 1 (06:52):
I agree.
Approach it with curiosity butcaution too, Weighing benefits
and risks for individuals andsociety as a whole.

Speaker 2 (06:59):
So what can we do as individuals to stay informed,
engaged in this whole thing?

Speaker 1 (07:05):
Stay curious, Keep learning about IVF reproductive
tech.
Talk to people with differentviews, respectfully, of course
and if you're considering IVFpersonally, do your research.
Find good doctors to guide you.

Speaker 2 (07:18):
Great points, and it goes back to that support system
, right?
Whether you're facing IVFyourself or just trying to wrap
your head around it all, havingpeople to talk to is key.

Speaker 1 (07:25):
Totally.
Knowledge is power and sharingthat knowledge helps us all
navigate this stuff together.

Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well, listener, we've covered a lot in this deep dive
Dr Pat's work the science, theemotions, even the big societal
questions IVF brings up.

Speaker 1 (07:39):
It's been fascinating .
Hopefully you listener feellike you can keep exploring
these ideas too.

Speaker 2 (07:44):
Because knowledge is a journey.
Right, there's always more tolearn.
Stay curious, stay informed,keep asking those questions.
That's what these deep divesare all about.
All right, so we've talkedabout the science, the success
rates, the emotional rollercoaster, but now I'm thinking
about the bigger picture, likewhat happens when technology
like IVF becomes more I don'tknow common.

Speaker 1 (08:06):
That's when things get really interesting.
It challenges our whole idea offamily, of parenthood, like who
gets to use this tech?
And when those lines start toblur, what happens then?

Speaker 2 (08:16):
Makes you think about how much family structures have
already changed, even withoutIVF.
We've got blended families,same-sex couples raising kids,
single parents by choice.

Speaker 1 (08:26):
Right.
Ivf adds another layer Peoplewho might never have had
biological kids.
Now they can.
And imagine as technology getseven more advanced, like gene
editing or even artificial wombsI mean, who knows?

Speaker 2 (08:38):
Wow, it's mind-blowing to think about
where all this leads.
But it's not just the techitself, right, it's how we adapt
as a society.

Speaker 1 (08:47):
Exactly Ethical questions pop up potential for
inequality, making sure it's allused responsibly it's a lot to
consider.

Speaker 2 (08:54):
No easy answers, for sure, but a conversation we
can't ignore.

Speaker 1 (08:58):
Definitely Got to approach it with a curiosity,
but with some caution too,Weighing the benefits and risks
for everyone involved, forindividuals, for society as a
whole.

Speaker 2 (09:08):
So what can we do as individuals to like stay
informed, to participate in thiswhole conversation?

Speaker 1 (09:16):
Well, first off, stay curious, Keep learning about
these advancements in IVF andreproductive technology, you
know.
Engage in those conversations,talk to people with different
views, respectfully, of course,and if IVF is something you're
considering, do your research,find those qualified
professionals to guide you.

Speaker 2 (09:33):
All great points and it kind of circles back to what
we talked about before, thatstrong support system.
Whether you're dealing with IVFpersonally or just trying to
understand it, all having peopleyou can talk to learn from that
makes a difference.

Speaker 1 (09:44):
For sure, Knowledge is power and sharing that
knowledge it helps us allnavigate this complex world
together.

Speaker 2 (09:51):
So, listener, we've covered a lot of ground today.
We explored Dr Pat's work, thescience behind IVF, the emotions
that come with it and eventhose bigger societal questions
that this technology raises.
It's been a journey.

Speaker 1 (10:04):
It really has and hopefully you know listener, you
feel like you can continue thisexploration.
Keep those questions coming.

Speaker 2 (10:10):
Because knowledge is an ongoing thing, right, there's
always more to discover.
Stay curious, stay informed andkeep asking those questions.
That's what makes these deepdives so fascinating Leading
Innovation, fertility,excellence.

Speaker 1 (10:35):
Life by Dr Pat Leading innovation in fertility
excellence.
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