When I saw these onesies (ordering info below), I thought they were beyond adorable! I like both the design and the sentiment. I mentioned them in a conversation with some moms who had conceived with the help of IVF, and while most agreed with me, one mom said, “I would never use my child to advertise my infertility!”
Hummm.
I saw these onesies more as a celebration of success over a hard won battle to become a parent rather than an advertisement of the parents’ infertility, but after thinking about her comment, I could see where she was coming from.
People have wildly different comfort level about talking about their infertility and different desire to move past the struggle as soon as possible. I can totally understand why someone would want to put their infertility as far behind them as possible after the birth of their child. The last thing they want when holding their precious baby is to be reminded of all it took to bring him into this world.
I can also see feeling just the opposite, and dressing your kiddo in one of these is sure to illicit a few smiles and start some conversations about infertility. Who knows, you may just be giving hope to the women standing behind you in the grocery line that she too may one day be holding her own miracle.
To each there own.
I contacted the creator of the “I survived the ice age” and “Made with Love and Science” onesies, Emma of SewCutebyEmma on Etsy, to find out why she made these onesies and her thoughts on infertility.
Why did you create onesies focused on babies conceived by IVF?
I actually can’t take credit for the ideas of the onesies. A friend who is pregnant with her little IVF miracle baby posted a random photo of similar ones on Facebook and since I make custom clothing, I designed my own and I made them for her because she’s been through lots of loss, including losing IVF twins at 24 weeks. I wanted to make them for her because I know how excited and thankful she is for this baby. Similar sayings can be found on Etsy though so there’s really no telling who made the originals!
Did you have your own infertility struggles?
I conceived my first three children with no issues (getting pregnant with all of them in 3 months or less), but had about 3.5 years of infertility before we got pregnant with our youngest. I never sought medical help for it though. However, with the month to month of having my period come again and again when I so badly wanted another baby, I appreciated my little H’s pregnancy and infancy (which I’m still enjoying since she’s only 4 months old) so much more than our other 3 that we conceived with no issues.
I love them all the same, but the wait we went through made me that much more thankful for her when we finally did find out we were pregnant. It gave me a bit more understanding of how precious the miracle of pregnancy is, and that it isn’t something to be taken for granted.
I have IVF mommies who are leaving notes in their order for me when they purchase about how much they love the onesies and telling me a little bit about their babies that they are for. I feel honored that they’re sharing their story with me. They go through so much to have these children, and I love that I get to be a part of celebrating their little miracle babies once they’re finally holding them in their arms. These little miracles are so wanted and loved from the moment their parents see them through a microscope, even before Transfer Day!
What do you hope these onesies will do, other than make moms and dads smile.
I think Infertility can be somewhat of a taboo subject, but I hope the onesies might offer the opportunity for a couple with child(ren) born via IVF to help another couple going through the same struggle that they had to encourage and come along side them while they go through their options for infertility.
Would you dress you new arrival in one of these?
Other Creating a Family Resources You Will Enjoy
- Pregnancy after Infertility: How to Relax and Enjoy
- Crucial Tips from a Pediatrician on Surviving Your Baby’s 1st Year
- Dear Pregnant Friend—Why I Won’t be at Your Baby Shower
Ordering Info for IVF Onesies
I Survived the Ice Age
My First Babysitter was an Embryologist
Made with Love and Science
Worth Every Needle
The Little Embryo that Could
I think all slogan onsies are tacky. However when we take our baby to visit our fertility clinic, it will be wearing a onsie saying “My first babysitter was an embryologist”.
Embryologists have a really tough job, they spend a lot of their time dealing with bad outcomes, and giving people bad news. I know our embryologist is really excited to meet our little one, I’m so grateful to her and want to do something special to make her smile and feel appreciated.
It’s the only novelty item I’m buying for the baby, and might not get much use. I can always pass it along to someone else going through IVF for a bit of longevity.
Ina,
That’s actually pretty cute. And certainly very clever. I’m sure your fertility clinic staff will get a big kick out of your little one AND the funny little shout out.
oh no, looks like a bad idea for me. I realise that this is a very disputable thing, but still I would never put such a onesie on my child
Wow! That’s …hmm..weird! I myself became a mother only after fertility treatment and I that’s great that we can rely on our science and medicine. However, my little girl has clothes with my clinic logo and name and you know, I didn’t want her to have a cap with their name on it. Of course I’m grateful to my clinic for my little miracle but I don’t want anyone to know about the way she was born. And all these prints are ridiculous. Don’t get the joke
I think these are a great way to open up the conversation and start taking some of the stigma out of infertility. These kids have had an extra special journey to the world what’s wrong with talking about it and even more importantly adding a little humour? Would love an ice age one for my wee man he did 5 years in the arctic no wonder he’s hardy ????
My friend conceived with infertility treatment, and her family considered the baby to be “not real.” Had I known about these, I would have given her one, because she’d appreciate it.
The baby in question is now a very real 8 year old with two (also real) younger siblings.
🙂