7am Giving birth to a stranger's baby: The cost of IVF mistakes
Jun 24, 2025
Hannah Bambra, a writer and public health campaigner, shares her harrowing IVF journey and highlights a tragic mix-up at Monash IVF, where a woman accidentally gave birth to a stranger's child. The conversation unpacks the emotional toll of IVF errors and the systemic issues that affect vulnerable patients, particularly single and queer individuals. Bambra advocates for improved industry regulations, accountability, and compassionate care to restore trust and ensure that such catastrophic mistakes never happen again.
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IVF Embryo Mix-Up Cases
- A woman at Monash IVF was mistakenly given her own embryo instead of her partner's, an error considered extremely rare.
- Another couple's embryo was transferred to a stranger, resulting in a child with no genetic link to the supposed parents.
Confusing IVF Egg Survival Info
- A woman was given conflicting, incorrect information multiple times about how many eggs survived thawing during IVF.
- These mistakes cause unnecessary grief and highlight poor communication in clinics.
IVF's Embedded Social Inequities
- IVF systems still embed heteronormative assumptions, evident in forms and language used.
- Social infertility is now recognized, but rebates and language lag behind inclusive realities.