Forum 2 Discussion Boardelizabeth Discussion Boar
You must reply to at least 2 classmates’ original threads in 250 words or more with references from either peer reviewed journals or medical textbooks.
First reply:
Forum 2 Discussion Board
Elizabeth Baginski
Liberty University
Forum 2 Discussion Board
The Kilner textbook has presented a case study that is titled “Having a Baby the New-Fashioned Way”. After reading the different studies it was clear to see that everyone has their own life issues and circumstances that cause the person to make certain decisions. Each of the case studies showed the same couple that could not get pregnant. In each of the case studies they showed the different options that one could choose in order to try and help them with fertilization.
The case study focuses on the situation of Betty and Tom, one that represents what thousands of people undergo in the everyday life. The couple could not get pregnant naturally after trying after time and time again. In this specific situation, the couple decided to use the eggs provided by Betty’s sister as a surrogate mother by being artificially inseminated with the husband’s sperm. Everyone will have their own opinions on what is considered the better perspective, however, personally I would not be comfortable with using someone else’s eggs to have a child. I understand it is natural and God given for a man and women to crave have a baby together to start a family. In situations like these it causes people to look for other options. In this situation, it is just as important for the person to study and do research before embarking on a surrogacy process. The surrogacy will affect the intended partner and surrogate differently. One could easily feel like they are giving up a sense of control. Betty would not be able to control every part of the process and would have to trust that the surrogate is doing everything right to have a healthy pregnancy. The other aspect of control that makes me not agree with this perspective is the emotional complexities that would undertake. The thought of giving someone else a child to carry for nine months before they are born gives me emotional stress. All in all, there is nothing wrong with this decision making, however, in this scenario if I were Betty and Tom, I would prefer to adopt a child.
The second case study used the same situation, however, in this case they were pushing the idea of IVF. This technique is used to help the women get pregnant. The human egg is fertilized with a sperm in a laboratory that takes several steps. According to research from Lackey and the APS Physics journal, it is a process that can take several months to complete and even then, it is not guaranteed (Lackey, 2019). Not only is the process not guaranteed, but it is also very expensive. According to Heather Welch from the Aquatic Observation journal, the exact cost of a single IVF cycle varies, but it could be up to $15,000 or more (Welch, 2017). Each state also has different laws with the insurance company, but in general most insurance plans do not offer any type of fertility treatment (Welch, 2017).
The two other case studies proceeding all covered similar topics trying to find a method that worked best for the couple to get pregnant. It can be scary not knowing the future outcome of whether or not you and your spouse will get pregnant. However, it is important to remember that our God is the same God that performed miracles back in the early days of the Bible. Sarah and Abram struggled conceive and yet God had a bigger plan in mind for them. Even though it is easy to not trust and believe, it is in those moments where one’s faith has to overcome and let God perform his miracle. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Even when one is going through such a hard time as infertility which I cannot imagine, God does have a purpose that is greater than one can imagine. After all, in Genesis 21 the Lord proved his faithfulness in bringing a son to Sarah and Abraham in the time of their old age.
References
Kilner, J.F. (2011). Why the church needs bioethics: A guide to wise engagement with life’s
challenges. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan.
Lackey, B. D., Pürrer, M., Taracchini, A., & Marsat, S. (2019). Surrogate model for an aligned-
spin effective-one-body waveform model of binary neutron star inspirals using Gaussian
process regression. Physical Review D, 100(2), 024002.
Welch, H., & McHenry, J. (2018). Planning for dynamic process: An assemblage‐level surrogate
strategy for species seasonal movement pathways. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and
Freshwater Ecosystems, 28(2), 337-350.
Second Reply:
Keya Early
Infertility Case Study
In recent studies, there has been researched conducted that demonstrates the psychological stressors linked to infertility. Infertility is a devastating and life long crisis that affects many individuals on an emotional and mental capacity. There is supported evidence that shows social support is a protective factor when dealing with any emotional crisis (Martins, Peterson, Almeida, Mesquita-Guimarães, & Costa, 2014). “In general samples, men and women facing infertility, general social support has been associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety-and fertility-related stress”(Martins, Peterson, Almeida, Mesquita-Guimarães, & Costa, 2014). As infertility rises across the country, more social support should be practiced. There are many causes for infertility such as endometriosis, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), fibroids, etc. Therefore, there should be a decrease in societal pressures when it involves pregnancy. More often than not, women are always asked the question “so when are you planning on having a child?”.
In 2011, Kilner focused on a case study about a couple that tried to have a family. Betty stresses her age and is anxious to conceive whereas Tom’s sole focus is keeping his wife happy throughout their marriage. Throughout the case study, we witness the couple struggle spiritually, medically, and socially over the observations. The couple suffers spiritually with Betty’s egg retrieval failure and early termination. As far as medically, the couple had issues with the cost of infertility technology. In the social context, it was hard for Betty to be in a room watching other parents and children gathering around one and another.
In Christianity, abortions are often frowned upon and viewed as taking an individual’s life. Even though abortions are legal within the US, they don’t make it right in the Bible. Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations”(NIV). Another scripture that addresses pro-lie in the Bible is in Psalm 127:3 “Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him”(NIV). From an outside perspective, some may view the couple’s infertility as guilt or a lesson from the early termination. However, it is hard to rule that as a reason for infertility.
Given the research with social support and the case study, I would suggest adding in more social supports for the couple. The couple had gone through a multitude of unsteady circumstances that I honestly feel for the couple. On one hand I am pro-life, however on the other hand I also am a firm believer in Matthew 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged”(NIV).
Word Count: 425
Martins, M., Peterson, B., Almeida, V., Mesquita-Guimarães, J., & Costa, M. (2014). Dyadic dynamics of perceived social support in couples facing infertility. Human Reproduction., 29(1), 83–89. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det403
Kilner, J. F. (2011). Why the Church needs Bioethics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing
House. ISBN: 9780310328520