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IVF Controversy

CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) - It was a long and painful road for Dominique Debroux before her daughter, Gaya, came into this world. She tried for years to become pregnant and turned to in-vitro fertilization.

"I got pregnant four times, and I miscarried each one of those times. So, three failed IVF's. Over the entire process, between the IVF's that aren't covered by insurance, and the side cost of it, about $100,000 out of pocket," she said.

Dominique and her husband started to think about adoption until she went to see doctor Sami David.

In his book, "Making Babies," David says it can be difficult and time consuming to find an underlying cause of infertility and believes that's why many women and some of his fellow doctors jump to IVF. Although he says it can be helpful, he believes a large number of IVF procedures are unnecessary.

"Perhaps as high as 50 percent. A huge number of patients I've seen have infections, low grade infections that they're not aware of," he said.

Including Dominique who was treated with antibiotics.

"What ought to be done, I believe, is that the couple should be very carefully evaluated. More attention to the man, since he's responsible 40 percent for infertility," said David.

After being treated, Dominique became pregnant naturally and gave birth to Gaya two years ago.

"I knew I would love a child. I knew I wanted a child, but I never realized how amazing it is. It's pure joy all the time," she said.

Dr. Rink Murray, a local IVF specialist, issued the following statement about this issue:

"My first thought on this issue is that I'm not sure there is that much of a controversy here. I realize that Dr. David is promoting his book and that makes this seem like a new sentiment.

"I would agree that there are some doctors who push some patients into IVF too quickly. Some patients push themselves too quickly. But for every one of those, I see more who have delayed intervention for far too long, and by the time they get to us, their chances have seriously deteriorated.

"Although Dr. David correctly points out that IVF still has a substantial failure rate, it still is far more likely to be successful than any other traditional or non-traditional therapy.

"A balanced approach is needed. I do not think people should ignore the ways they can optimize their bodies for conception. For most couples, spending three months along these lines is not unwarranted.

"That's one reason Dr. Scotched and I wanted to make it clear that we are not just an IVF center. We use IVF as a last resort, if all other treatments have failed or if there really is no hope of getting pregnant without it. We feel like we've saved many people from going to IVF.

"For most couples, jumping straight to IVF is the most expensive way to conceive a child, but it also the most likely to help them have a child in the short term. For some couples time is a big issue.

"I also think Dr. David would be the first to acknowledge that some couples will only conceive with IVF. "