The Daily An I.V.F. Mix-Up and an Impossible Choice
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Jan 16, 2026 
In this episode, Susan Dominus, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, investigates a heart-wrenching IVF mix-up that intertwined the lives of two families. Parents Daphna and Xander Cardinale share their emotional journey after discovering their child was not biologically theirs. They recount the devastating realization, legal battles, and their first meeting with the other family. Ultimately, both families navigate this complex reality, forming an unexpected, supportive bond that challenges traditional notions of family.
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IVF Pregnancy That Felt Perfectly Ordinary
- Daphna and Alexander Cardinale underwent IVF and welcomed a baby they named May (Maymay).
- They quickly bonded as a family and felt complete when she arrived.
Appearance Sparked A Devastating Discovery
- The baby’s physical traits triggered doubts because she looked unlike either parent.
- A consumer DNA test revealed neither Daphna nor Alexander were the genetic parents.
Lab Identified A Near-Certain Embryo Swap
- Lawyers and the clinic identified another couple likely connected to the embryo mix-up and arranged DNA testing.
- Tests confirmed a direct embryo swap: each couple had been raising the other's genetic child.