If you were in the process of looking for a fertility clinic/RE, and while researching came across a video (recent) in which one of the doctors referred to an IVF baby as a test tube baby, would you be turned off by that clinic?
Yes, and no at the same time, it sort of depends on who the video was directed towards. I've found that a lot of the general public (basically everyone but us IFers) is still unfamiliar with the terms IUI and IVF. They just aren't common enough yet, or talked about at least. So I think the average person is more familiar with artificial insemination and test tube baby.
Not really - like Michele said the majority of the general public is unfamiliar with the correct terms and are more familiar with the terms of artificial insemination and test tube baby. So, in the end I think the dr was just getting a message out there.
Personally, I would be, but more for fear out of how it would impact my children. I can handle people saying insensitive things or making crude remarks to me. I understand in part that the doctor may be trying to communicate in a language that the general public understands, but I think it's the wrong approach. I think fertility doctors need to work toward educating the general public - not catering to and perpetuating inappropriate terms. I wouldn't want my children someday knowing that the doctor that helped bring them into this world thinks of them or even refers to them as test tube babies.
Test tube baby seems so 1980's. It's only recently that I came to realize that an IVF baby is what I had heard of in my childhood as a test tube baby. Of course back then, I thought the baby was fully gestated in the tube and parents took it home when it was a full grown baby. As for offense, well, it would raise an eyebrow for a moment, but I wouldn't pin my entire opinion of the person on it depending on the context and other my impression of that person beyond that one comment. But I would definitely be on the alert for additional signs of disrespect after hearing that.
I agree with Michele. I think sometimes doctors use the terms they think non-medical personnel will be more familiar with. However, I still agree it's not the right term to use, so it might give me an uneasy feeling if I wasn't already working with them.
7 comments:
Yes, and no at the same time, it sort of depends on who the video was directed towards. I've found that a lot of the general public (basically everyone but us IFers) is still unfamiliar with the terms IUI and IVF. They just aren't common enough yet, or talked about at least. So I think the average person is more familiar with artificial insemination and test tube baby.
Not really - like Michele said the majority of the general public is unfamiliar with the correct terms and are more familiar with the terms of artificial insemination and test tube baby. So, in the end I think the dr was just getting a message out there.
Personally, I would be, but more for fear out of how it would impact my children. I can handle people saying insensitive things or making crude remarks to me. I understand in part that the doctor may be trying to communicate in a language that the general public understands, but I think it's the wrong approach. I think fertility doctors need to work toward educating the general public - not catering to and perpetuating inappropriate terms. I wouldn't want my children someday knowing that the doctor that helped bring them into this world thinks of them or even refers to them as test tube babies.
While it depends on the exact context, chances are I would run from that doc pretty fast. After giving him a piece of my mind. Angrily.
Test tube baby seems so 1980's. It's only recently that I came to realize that an IVF baby is what I had heard of in my childhood as a test tube baby. Of course back then, I thought the baby was fully gestated in the tube and parents took it home when it was a full grown baby. As for offense, well, it would raise an eyebrow for a moment, but I wouldn't pin my entire opinion of the person on it depending on the context and other my impression of that person beyond that one comment. But I would definitely be on the alert for additional signs of disrespect after hearing that.
I'm in agreement with the pp. While I don't love, or agree with, the term, the context would make all the difference.
At the same tome, if there were two clinics I was trying to choose from and all else was equal, is go with the other one.
I agree with Michele. I think sometimes doctors use the terms they think non-medical personnel will be more familiar with. However, I still agree it's not the right term to use, so it might give me an uneasy feeling if I wasn't already working with them.
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