A Christian couple is free to judiciously look into fertility treatments. Many others choose adoption. God gave us the intelligence to develop tools that counteract the fallen world's effect on our bodies; it is okay to use them if we do so with wisdom.
Is it biblical for a Christian couple to seek fertility treatments?
It is good and appropriate to mourn infertility. It is not good to place the desire for children above the desire for a relationship with God ( Exodus 20:3 ). Even so, it is perfectly biblical to seek out healing in the realm of fertility. A Christian couple is free to judiciously look into fertility treatments. Many others choose adoption.
Is it appropriate for a Christian couple to mourn infertility?
Jan 04, 2022 · In-vitro fertilization is a controversial issue among Christians, and the Bible does not address it. Therefore, it becomes a matter of conviction from the Holy Spirit. God values every human life; He creates and plans for every birth. The Bible says, "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. . . .
What does the Bible say about infertility?
Against: Fertility treatment is unnatural. Children should be born as part of the intimate relationship between a man and a woman. They may say it is God's will if …
Is in vitro fertilization forbid for Christians?
Jan 04, 2022 · However, infertile couples must not assume that God is withholding His grace and favor, nor should they assume they are being punished in some way. Christian couples must cling to the knowledge that their sins are forgiven in Christ and that the inability to have children is not a punishment from God. So what is an infertile Christian couple to do?
What the Bible says about fertility?
First, bearing children is good and parenthood when possible is to be celebrated. From the beginning, God blessed procreation. In Genesis 1:28, God said: "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." Similarly, the psalmist says: "Behold, children are an heritage from the Lord.Dec 18, 2003
Does Christianity support IVF?
While assisted reproduction is not accepted by the Vatican , it may be practiced by Protestant, Anglican and other denominations. According to traditional Christian views, beginning at conception, the embryo has moral status as a human being, and thus most assisted reproductive technologies are forbidden.
Is in vitro fertilization a sin?
In it, the church divided fertility treatments into two categories: Those that help achieve pregnancy through sex — fertility drugs, ovulation charts, surgery to remove blockages — are moral. Those that replace sex with technology, including IVF and artificial insemination, are immoral.Apr 27, 2018
Why is the Church against in vitro fertilization?
The Catholic Church believes that IVF is never acceptable because it removes conception from the marital act and because it treats a baby as a product to be manipulated, violating the child's integrity as a human being with an immortal soul from the moment of conception (Donum Vitae 1987).
What is in vitro fertilization?
In-vitro fertilization is the process of joining a sperm and egg together outside of a woman’s body, then placing the fertilized egg, or zygote, in the woman’s body so that she can become pregnant. In-vitro fertilization is a controversial issue among Christians, and the Bible does not address it.
Why do fertilized eggs end up being frozen?
Because the fertilized egg is a living human, there are some moral implications to consider. Often, couples decide to harvest more eggs than they plan to use , which means that some of the embryos end up being destroyed, or frozen for later use.
Can fertilized eggs be miscarried?
There is, of course, a high risk that at least some of the fertilized eggs will miscarry, but this way it would be a natural expulsion instead of purposeful destruction. This also means that the woman may have to go through additional procedures and expense to have more eggs harvested later on.
Is in vitro fertilization a biblical issue?
In-vitro fertilization is a controversial issue among Christians, and the Bible does not address it. Therefore, it becomes a matter of conviction from the Holy Spirit. God values every human life; He creates and plans for every birth.
What does God do in marriage?
Through marriage God unites two different people and makes them “one flesh” ( Gen. 2:24, NIV ). In marriage, spouses put each other first, attend to physical, emotional, and sexual needs and always seek the best for each other.
What is the purpose of IVF?
The goal of in vitro fertilization (IVF) consists of a straightforward process: to take a woman’s eggs and a man’s sperm, fertilize them outside the body, and then implant them back into the woman’s womb with the goal of pregnancy; 2 but the process has many complicated steps in between.
How does IVF affect the body?
IVF can wreak havoc on a woman’s body and reproductive organs. The body was not made to endure hyperovulation, multiple pregnancies at the same time, and hormonal drugs. In the case of twins or higher-order multiple pregnancies, the mother will more likely develop high blood pressure or anemia, 10 as well as having a higher risk for miscarriage, induced high blood pressure, preeclampsia (protein in the uterus), or gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Women carrying multiple fetuses are also more likely to have hemorrhaging, anemia, or die in childbirth compared with women who are only pregnant with one child at a time. 11 The Bible tells us that our “bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit” ( 1 Cor. 6:19, NIV ), and although in this specific context Paul addresses sexual union with someone outside of your spouse, this could be relevant to IVF, especially in the case of gamete donors. 12 Even without donors, the Bible gives precedence for treating the body as a place worthy of God. Second Corinthians 6:16 says, “we are the temple of the living God” (NIV), and Jesus, too, refers to His body as a temple ( John 2:19 ). Most Christians believe that taking care of their bodies reflects the image of God, but in vitro may compromise the physical body.
How much does IVF cost?
Each round of IVF treatments costs about US$15,000. 16 While not uncommon to undergo several cycles of in vitro, many couples simply cannot afford to invest the US$90,000 that six rounds of in vitro demand in order to have a moderately successful chance of conceiving.
What percentage of IVF patients have a live baby?
Even after six complete rounds of IVF treatments, the take-home rate of a live baby remains at only 23–70 percent, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. 9 That means 30–77 percent of women who have invested months of painful and body-altering treatments will not get to hold a biological baby in their arms.
How many embryos are needed for a woman to be pregnant?
While two to three embry os are recommended, as few as one or as many as six can be transferred. The embryos are then placed in the womb by inserting a long, thin tube through the vagina and cervix while the woman is awake. If the embryos implant into the womb, pregnancy is achieved.
Why are premature babies more likely to be infertile?
14 In addition to these medical complications, girl babies may have higher rates of infertility because of the use of fertility drugs during conception. 15.
What is AIH for Christians?
For: AIH is one form of fertility treatment that many Christians find they can support, particularly when the couple are married. Against: Fertility treatment is unnatural. Children should be born as part of the intimate relationship between a man and a woman.
Can IVF be frozen?
For: It is common for more than one embryo to be produced by IVF, and for some to be left over. Embryos can be frozen for use at a later date by the couple. A couple may give their consent for the spare embryos to be used for research or be destroyed within 14 days (according to UK law).
What does the Bible say about in vitro fertilization?
In vitro fertilization is the act of fertilizing a woman's egg outside the body. (In vitro means "in glass," reflecting how the first scientific trials of the method were done).
Why are implanted eggs removed?
But in most cases, all but one or two implanted eggs are removed for the health of both the mother and the remaining embryos. This is basically abortion. The second issue is similar. Invariably, more eggs will be fertilized than will be used.
When is the egg placed in the uterus?
The egg is then placed in a woman's uterus at the time in her cycle when the embryo is most apt to implant. Ideally, pregnancy will soon occur. There is nothing unbiblical about harvesting eggs from a woman. There is nothing unbiblical about fertilizing those eggs and implanting them.
Can Christians have in vitro fertilization?
That a child would be allowed to die for such trivial reasons is a horror no matter what her age. In vitro fertilization is not forbidden for Christians.
Can fertilized eggs implant?
And there is nothing unbiblical about the fact that many of those fertilized eggs will not implant; God is in control of even man-assisted pregnancies. But there are a few major issues that must be taken into consideration. The first comes into play when more than one fertilized egg implants.
Can you use left over embryos in abortion?
If life begins at conception, this is also abortion.
Can you transfer multiple embryos at once?
The first comes into play when more than one fertilized egg implants. It is common to transfer multiple embryos into the prospective mother at one time; every attempt is expensive and time consuming, and transferring multiple embryos increases the chance at least one will implant and survive.
What are the problems women have with fertility?
Women who have consorted with fertility doctors might learn they have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, and other issues . Men are also prone to fertility problems and could seek help through medicine for low sperm count, irregular sperm motility, and any other factors.
Why is IVF beneficial?
IVF is also beneficial if the age of the parents is a factor, if there are fertility issues in the woman, man, or both, and if there is some unknown reason for why a couple can’t get pregnant. 2. Any foray into fertility treatment means meeting with a fertility specialist and going over a couple’s reproductive history.
What should couples consider when going through the IVF cycle?
Couples should consider, when going through the IVF cycle, how the remaining eggs should be handled. In-Vitro Fertilization is a fertility treatment that must be strongly evaluated and prayed upon to determine if it is the best approach you and your spouse should take in welcoming a child to your home.
Who is the one to bring forth a child to a barren couple?
God must be involved in this situation, as He has proven before that He alone is the one to bring forth a child to a barren couple. (Just look at Sarah and Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Hannah and Elkanah, Elizabeth and Zachariah.)