ChrisDominion Fertility is running a commercial on the radio I hear every morning as I slog through the traffic on the DC beltway on the way to work. Every morning. It goes something like this:
“I know the economy is hard. But I need a doctor who understands my needs. I still want to have a baby.”
Then they launch into their spiel about how Natural Cycle IVF is the affordable option. The woman’s voice on the commercial is maddening, a whiny plea. I’m sure it was intended to be perceived as sypmathetic or maternal, but it comes off as plaintive and entitled.
I am amazed by the fact that a company is making a profit on this. Has it occurred to people that maybe, just maybe, if they are unable to conceive it is because they are not welcome in the gene pool?
And what about your needs? The commercial sounds to me as though its intended audience are the people for whom children are an accessory. The progression is thus:
- Complete college
- Complete grad school
- Enter work force
- Claw way up to middle management
- Realize that you are now middle aged, probably over 40
- Hear biological clock ticking. Tick tock, tick tock…
- Freak out
- Throw money at the problem
Seems to me that the species has managed to propagate without the benefit of IVF, Natural Cycle or otherwise. Natural selection seems to have worked so far. My recommendation is to do it the old fashioned way. Back to basics. Now, get to it.
Tags: accessory, IVF, Natural Cycle IVF, radio
Harsh! You also sound just like a man. I have a number of friends under the age of 35 who needed help for one reason or another (sometimes the man had problems, gasp.) You’re completely oversimplifying the issue, but I’m sure you know that. Sometimes IVF helps women who can get, but can’t stay pregnant or have other genetic issues other than just being older.
The direct to consumer advertisements are everywhere for all things from IVF to radiation treatments to medications. Perhaps you should invest in XM.
I love it when people get worked up. Clearly, I’ve oversimplified it, but still – let’s talk about this some more.
Chris
Indeed. I love a good debate, too. And beer. Together, think of the possibilities! I also think those ads are totally annoying although I find Shady Grove (or Shady Grave as a doctor I know used to call it) more annoying.
The ad that really bugs me right now is the Avon walk for breast cancer. Yeah, it’s a good cause. But the women just bug me. “I didn’t get a chance when my mother died of breast cancer. This lets me have a choice.” Um, really? Walking does all that? Good cause, sure, but it lets you have a choice over whether your parent died of cancer or not?
As some one who did the old fashioned way – and then was never able to do it again (while simultaneously – not exclusively – performing your prescribed bullet point list) – you’re being unfair. Lucky and blessed, you were able to do it the “right way” – some just are not. Instead of spending the big bucks on IVF and the likes, I had a husband who really didn’t care whether our kids were biological or not. Hence, the boys. Still, there are many to whom child-bearing is not “natural.” To make the statement that “natural selection” means that they shouldn’t be parents – well, that’s just plain old cruel.
And yet, I understand your pique with the commercial. It is annoying. But then, it’s probably even more so to those who have tried everything that they can to succeed at becoming parent and remain childless. Imagine how they feel with they hear it?