Honouring the path to parenthood
Every year on July 25, we come together to celebrate IVF Day — a day to honour the remarkable role reproductive science has played in helping millions of people become parents. It marks the birth of Louise Joy Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, born in 1978. Her arrival sparked hope across the globe for those longing to start or grow a family.
Since then, more than 12 million babies have been born through IVF. Each of these children represents more than just a medical success. Behind every birth is a story of individuals and couples who faced uncertainty and loss, financial strain, and long waits. IVF is often a complex emotional milestone, but one that many pursue with courage and persistence. These journeys also reflect the strength of relationships and the possibilities made real through decades of advancing reproductive science.
One of the most important and often overlooked steps in this journey is acknowledging infertility. It takes courage to take that first step: to seek testing, ask questions, make lifestyle adjustments, and take control of your reproductive health.
It is essential to remember that infertility is a medical condition. It does not define one’s worth or reflect one’s failing. Speaking openly about it is not a sign of weakness but a determination to seek help and support. The earlier infertility is addressed, the better the chances of success.
IVF helps couples overcome many challenges — from blocked fallopian tubes and male infertility to age-related concerns and unexplained difficulties. It is also personalised for diverse family needs, including the use of donor eggs and sperm. For those who have struggled to conceive, IVF provides a chance at parenthood.
Today, IVF is more advanced and accessible than ever before. Technologies in embryology laboratories, such as time-lapse monitoring, AI-assisted embryo selection, assisted hatching, embryo grading, and ongoing research, have yielded improved success rates. Yet, despite these scientific advances, the emotional journey remains deeply personal and demanding.
A celebration of families and hope
Hence, there’s no better time than on this day we celebrate the families brought together by science, care, and unwavering hope. We recognise the quiet strength of those who have faced infertility, celebrate with those who have found success, and stand in support of those still on their journey.
Above all, we celebrate hope — the hope that begins with acknowledging infertility, that grows through each step of treatment, and that shines brightest in every child born through IVF.
This is a chapter of hope — a story still being written by families around the world, every single day.
