ASSUMPTION COLLEGE

Prenatal
Development Paper
A paper on infertility and options.

Nicole Andres
IV AB Psychology
12/13/2011
 In my current mindset, infertility is no big issue as of yet. As a matter of fact, the
concept of children is quite daunting for me maybe its because I am a child myself, so it is no
surprise that my first choice would be childlessness. As a girl nearing her twenties, I still want to
accomplish so much in my lifeand having a child is, I think, a wonderful option but just not the
ideal choice. Well, in my current mindset, that is. But in the long run, if I were to reach most, if
not all of my goals, I would imagine that a family would be a nice addition to one of my personal
accomplishments. So if I were to be faced with barrenness in the future, I may consider all the
other alternatives presented in the questionnaire. Of course I would first start with fertility
drugs maybe these alone can help me. If not, I may be tempted to try other artificial
reproductive technologies except for in vitro fertilization in a living body, which is the body of a
woman with proven childbearing capabilities is injected with the mans sperm and once her
ovum is penetrated by the mans sperm, that zygote is placed in the wifes uterus making the
baby related to the father but not to the mother. I think I would not be able to handle that kind
of set-up. I would also not consider having a surrogate mother because its concept is very
similar to the aforementioned reproductive technology that the baby will not be related to the
mother, only the father. If in vitro fertilization in a living body and having a surrogate mother are
the only two options viable for me, then perhaps I would choose to adopt instead because in my
opinion, that kind of one-way set-up will never work for me. I think I would always be conflicted
in my happiness that I have a baby I delivered that was my husbands child and in my envy that
that child is my husbands child but not mine. Rather than having mixed feelings toward the
innocent infant which can lead to a slow and painful deterioration of marriage and family, then I
would rather choose adoption. After all, through adoption we can make another life just a little
bit happier through our own misfortunes, so that has got to be a little miracle for everyone; it
wouldnt be such a bad choice, adopting.

Having said that, I think it is also very important for me to conceive my own baby in my
own body, with my own genetic imprint and that of my husbands. Looking back at that video
presented in class In The Womb by National Geographic Channel, it was stated there that the
mothers heartbeat is a constant companion for the fetus. That also, during its third month,
the babys most developed sense is his hearing especially lower bass notes. However, the fetus
still does not hear much because of the layer of fat and skin and fluid that the baby is cocooned
in -- but his mothers voice is unlike any other because her voice passes directly through the
body and so the baby hears it directly. And this also ensures the babys secure attachment with
the mother. I think its wonderful that nature was built that way, and I also would like to
experience that joy someday. And for me, if I worked hard for something, I treasure it more. And
conceiving a baby and carrying another life inside you is no walk in the park, and neither is the
actual childbirth. So all that sweat, blood, and tears to bring another life into the world will
perhaps enable me to further enhance a blood-strong connection with my baby.

With respect, though, to adoption, it is still in one of my alternatives. If I were to find

myself barren, adoption is not such a bad option for me. I do believe that motherhood is not
measured through childbirth alone you have to raise and nurture your child for nineteen more
years and beyond, so nine months inside the womb, as hard as it may be, is not the only
measure of motherhood nor is it a definite assurance that the child will form secure
attachments with the mother. So I will still consider adoption if all else fails (no in vitro
fertilization in a living body or surrogate mother), but definitely, having my own child is very
important to me.