As the Biden administration nears its transition to President-elect Donald Trump’s government, debates about reproductive rights are reigniting across the United States. Trump had previously pledged to fund in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, but his administration’s Project 2025—a 900-page policy agenda—outlines plans to impose stricter controls on reproductive freedoms, including abortion, birth control, and IVF.
For many prospective parents, these policies could potentially force them to seek IVF treatment abroad, as doctors predict a surge in this trend if the U.S. enacts tighter restrictions on fertility procedures.
IVF’s Crucial Role in Washington State: In Washington state, IVF has been a beacon of hope for many families. Over 2,000 children have been born through IVF in recent years. For families like the Seymours, IVF isn’t just a medical procedure—it represents their opportunity to build a family. If restrictions on IVF were enforced, it wouldn’t just strip away a medical option; it would take away their hopes and dreams for the future.
Randell and Jessica Seymour’s IVF journey led them to welcome their son, Kepler, now 1 year old. But their story also highlights the emotional and financial challenges that accompany infertility treatments, and how those struggles could be intensified by limited access to IVF.
Randell’s path to parenthood was shaped at the age of 16 when he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a form of bone cancer. His chemotherapy treatments came with the possibility of infertility, as they could damage his sperm. With foresight, his father urged him to preserve his sperm, knowing it might be his only chance at having biological children.
Years later, Randell and Jessica, married in 2018, decided to use IVF to start their family. The emotional toll was heavy, but so was the financial burden—each round of IVF costing upwards of $20,000.
The Financial Strain of IVF: The Seymours, like many others, are part of the 1 in 6 couples facing infertility. According to the World Health Organization, 17.5% of adults worldwide experience infertility, and in Washington state alone, over 200,000 people are affected.
Randell recalls being told that he was “made sterile” and wouldn’t have children, but IVF offered a chance for him and Jessica to prove those predictions wrong.
A Hopeful Alternative Abroad: With the high costs of IVF in the U.S., the Seymours turned their attention to the Barbados Fertility Center, where a round of IVF was priced at just $8,000—far less than what they would have paid stateside. The tropical setting added an unexpected bonus to their experience.
“We were like, no way, you can go on this beach vacation and possibly come home with a baby?” Jessica said.
In April 2023, the couple traveled to Barbados, and by May, they received the life-changing news that Jessica was pregnant.
As discussions on reproductive rights continue to heat up across the country, IVF is increasingly caught in the crossfire of broader debates on pro-life and pro-choice issues. With more than a dozen states passing fetal personhood bills, there are growing concerns that these restrictions could limit access to fertility treatments, forcing more families to seek alternatives abroad.
The Seymours’ story serves as a powerful reminder of the stakes for countless families, underscoring the importance of access to IVF and the financial and emotional challenges that accompany it. If U.S. policies tighten, it could push many couples overseas in search of the care they need to fulfill their dreams of parenthood.
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