From: cleoabram
The creator’s initial skepticism about artificial wombs transformed dramatically after a personal health crisis forced her to confront her own fertility and the realities of pregnancy [00:00:49]. This unexpected collision of her research topic and her personal life led to a profound shift in perspective [00:01:14].
Personal Health Scare and Surgery
While making a video about artificial wombs, the creator discovered she needed surgery to preserve her ability to have kids [00:01:05]. She experienced a severe pain in her lower abdomen, which led to a transvaginal ultrasound [00:10:25]. The ultrasound revealed multiple cysts on her left ovary [00:11:01].
One of the cysts was 5 centimeters in diameter, equivalent to 6.3 inches in circumference, and another was slightly larger, with a third slightly smaller one [00:12:32]. The primary concern was that the heavier ovary, due to the cysts, could twist, potentially cutting off blood flow and leading to the loss of her left ovary [00:11:33]. To prevent this, surgery was recommended sooner rather than later [00:11:53].
The surgical procedure involved laparoscopy, with incisions made through her belly button and three other points [00:13:31]. To allow visibility during the operation, her abdomen was inflated like a balloon [00:13:47]. After the cysts were removed, she was “deflated” [00:13:58]. The prospect of general anesthesia and the surgery itself caused nervousness, but the alternative of losing an ovary was not an option [00:14:07].
Post-Surgery Recovery and Evolving Perspective
Two weeks post-surgery, she was recovering well, albeit still feeling sore and walking like an elderly person [00:15:40]. Modern medicine proved to be amazing, and she felt lucky [00:15:51].
This experience brought a significant realization: she now understood how terrifying it was to be told that her chance of getting pregnant was at risk [00:16:04]. Despite previously expressing uncertainty about wanting to be pregnant [00:16:13], she now knew she wanted the option to have biological children [00:16:18]. She caught a glimpse of the devastation many people experience when told they cannot have children [00:16:21].
Reflections on Pregnancy and Childbirth
Her personal pain and risk highlighted the inherent difficulties of pregnancy and childbirth [00:16:32]. Humans have unique challenges due to narrow hips from bipedalism and large brains leading to huge heads [00:16:56]. This makes birth a painful and medically complicated process [00:17:06].
Childbirth can be traumatic, with roughly 30-45% of women reporting it as such on surveys [00:05:26]. Specific difficulties mentioned include:
- Labors lasting 43 hours [00:17:14]
- Extensive tearing requiring stitches [00:17:18]
- Stretched skin resembling crepe paper [00:17:21]
- Significant hair loss [00:17:28]
- 2-8% of women experiencing tearing from one hole to another [00:17:33]
The creator expressed awe for those who have had kids, calling it “superhuman” and believing it shouldn’t have to be [00:18:10]. She feels that if men had to endure the risks, missed work, and discomfort of pregnancy, there might be more research into artificial wombs [00:06:06].
Support for Artificial Womb Research
Her personal experience solidified her view: she would “totally use an artificial womb” if it were possible [00:01:31]. She argues that the debate should not be “artificial wombs versus pregnancy” but rather framed around providing options [00:06:25]. Pregnancy is a risk, with over 800 women dying globally each day from childbirth [00:05:01]. Furthermore, pregnancy can hold women back, contributing to the motherhood penalty in the wage gap [00:05:10].
She believes that artificial womb research is crucial for several reasons:
- Helping premature babies survive: Technologies like new incubators and “liquid ventilation” can help extremely premature babies develop their lungs outside the uterus [00:06:49].
- Growing organs for transplants: This research could lead to growing individual organs from a patient’s own cells, eliminating the need for donors and preventing rejection [00:07:26].
- Learning about human development: It’s difficult to study human development in utero, but artificial environments allow scientists to directly observe and learn about embryo and organ formation, similar to how zebra fish embryos are studied [00:08:33].
She concludes that the aim is to reduce risk and pain, setting ambitious goals like those that sent humans to the moon [00:18:49]. She advocates for a “moonshot to make it easier to have kids” [00:18:58], providing future generations with more options, less risk, and less pain [00:19:09].
Historical Perspective and Ethical Considerations
The creator draws a parallel to the history of IVF, which was also highly controversial. The Vatican deemed it immoral, some US government officials tried to restrict it, and a British Parliament member linked it to “Hitlerian” possibilities [00:19:21]. This highlights how new medical innovations often face strong opposition.
A quote from a doctor at the time of IVF’s controversy resonated deeply: “There is an obligation to relieve suffering when the means to do so are available, or in the absence of the means, to search for the means” [00:19:43]. This perspective encapsulates her belief that humanity should continue to search for ways to alleviate suffering related to reproduction [00:19:52].