I've had to sit and ponder a little before I answered, because I need to clarify my thoughts before I know how to explain them
(Still can't guarantee that my dribble to follow will actually make any sense, either)
I'm a little on the fence, if there was an option for 'does it raise emotion' rather than insult, I could have perhaps answered a little better... I'll explain!!!
In general, I'm not insulted that otherwise fertile couples want to choose IVF to conceive - it really makes no difference to my situation & my life, so everybody live as they choose and use any resources available... good luck to you
To put my heart on the line though, it hurts like hell... so whilst I'm not insulted, the word I could use better to explain my feelings would be envious.
I think any of us who have been on the IVF road can answer differently - depending on where we're up to in our cycles.
We're about to start cycle #5 - 4 cycles of pure hell and we're still going back for more because the desire for a baby just completely outweighs anything else.
I'll use Brad & Angelina for an example - but for me it applies to any fertile couple who have succeeded using IVF when they haven't necessarily needed to....
1) I'm envious that it worked at all for them
2) I'm envious they were ALLOWED 2 embryos with no fertilty issues
3) I'm envious that both embryos took
4) I'm envious that they have a baby or babies in their arms when after more than 6 years we're still trekking on...
BUT - thats because at this point in time, I'm not there yet.
It hasn't worked for us yet, we had to fight like hell & be put through proven failed cycles before we were allowed the option of multiple transfers, and as of yet, we haven't had any embryos take to carry on and result in a baby for us
Its a raw question for any of us struggling and who have yet to gain results - and to answer without being bias (for me anyway) is impossible.
It hurts like hell that its so easy for others - That may not be the 'polite' or 'correct' thing to say, but its the truth.
We're putting our hearts on the line every day of our lives & someone says 'hhhmmm, here's an easier alternative' - And you know, its not... but in their case, it actually has been.... now THERE'S some irony huh?!!!
In saying all of that, its not so much insulting - if I had had all of my intended IVF cycles, was successful and had my babies in my arms, then I can't imagine this would effect me at all - but I'm not there yet, so it does.
This particular example with Brad & Angelina makes me smile... I actually started a thread about it when I read the report on the news headlines - It makes me smile because the journalist has obviously NO comprehension of what is involved in an IVF cycle.
To be under the dillusion that this is the easier alternative makes me smile at the ignorance... but good luck to anyone that is able to believe that.
Lucky them that this world has spared them this time round of this horrific struggle.
Not only is it a battle against your fertility & a struggle of the most powerful of desires to gain a child - but it is the ultimate test in your self worth, the ultimate test within a marriage or partnership, and most importantly the battle to maintain the health of your mind, your heart, your body... and ultimately your sanity.
I wish I too was spared enough in this lifetime to have that ignorance, but as it stands, its not to be
So my answer (although I've certainly gone the long way round to find it) is that I don't find it insulting - but I answered in the poll that yes it does - it is because it hurts enough, that for lack of a better word, at this point in time, yes I do find it insulting. (I appreciate that that statement may just not make any sense at all!)
Ask me again after my next cycle if I'm lucky enough to come out with a baby
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