IVF and Fertility Treatment Access: How Inequality Shapes Family Building with Professor Leonard M. Lopoo — Ask the Doulas Podcast

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Who has access to IVF and fertility treatment, and what factors shape the ability to use reproductive technology to build a family? As fertility technology continues to evolve, questions about equality are becoming increasingly important for people exploring their paths to parenthood. On this episode of Ask the Doulas, we speak with Professor Leonard M. Lopoo, author of Wanting Children, about the intersection of fertility, technology, economics, and inequality.

We explore how IVF and other reproductive technologies are increasingly shaping who can become a parent, why access is far from equal, and how income, race, geography, insurance coverage, and social policies can influence fertility outcomes. Professor Lopoo also shares insights from his research on Americans' changing attitudes and experiences around having children.

This thoughtful conversation looks beyond the technology itself to ask a bigger question: What happens when the ability to build a family depends on who can afford the opportunity?

We'll cover:

Why access to IVF and fertility treatment is not equal for all prospective parents
How income and the cost of fertility care can affect family-building options
How insurance coverage and geography can influence access to reproductive technology
What changing attitudes toward having children can tell us about parenthood in America
Why fertility technology raises broader questions about inequality and the future of parenthood

If you are navigating fertility treatment, considering your options, or interested in the larger social and economic forces shaping parenthood today, this episode offers an important perspective on the future of family building.

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Ask the Doulas is a pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting podcast for expecting families, new parents, and birth and baby professionals. Hosted by Kristin Revere and Alyssa Veneklase of Gold Coast Doulas, the podcast features conversations with doulas, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, sleep consultants, newborn care specialists, fertility experts, and perinatal mental health professionals. Ask the Doulas is designed for both parents and professionals looking for trusted guidance, continuing education, and real-world strategies.