Note: This interview was first published in August 2015
Born in 1978, Louise Joy Brown’s birth made history. As her autobiography hit the bookshelves, I caught up with the lovely Bristol mum-of-two. I was delighted to receive an autographed copy of Louise’s book … it’s an excellent read!
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What would you like people to know about being the world’s first IVF baby?
Today IVF is commonplace and is an option for most people who have had infertility problems. I wrote the book so that people can understand that it wasn’t always like that and it was the genius of the science of Bob Edwards; the hard work of Patrick Steptoe and the willingness of my Mum and Dad to try something new that enabled IVF to become a reality. I also wanted people to know the story from the point of view of my family. So much has been written about us over the years – much of it wrong or exaggerated or just untrue. I wanted people to know what it was really like for Mum and Dad and for me growing up to be at the centre of media attention. I also just wanted people to know I am an ordinary person with a job, my own children and a pretty regular life in Bristol.
2. When did you realize how extra-special you were?
I don’t think of myself as special at all. Apart from the way I was conceived there is nothing unusual or special about me at all. When I was very young I was taken on a tour of the world and with Mum I pieced together that whirlwind of events for the book. It was completely crazy, the public reaction. In Japan we were mobbed in the street with people trying to get a look at the “special” baby. I can’t remember those days but listening to Mum and Dad do media interviews and being told about my conception helped me to understand why there was so much fuss about me. Today I feel proud to be part of IVF history.
3. Did you ever feel ‘different’ to your friends or get bullied because of it?
The community in South Bristol was very close-knit and I went through school with the same group of friends and really there was very little bullying or name calling. I never really felt different. I was always fairly loud and out-going so I suppose I didn’t look too much like a “victim” and that helped.
4. How did your mum and dad tell you?
When I was four years old Mum and Dad sat me down and showed me the film that was made by Government officials of my birth. They told me that Mr Steptoe and Dr Edwards had “helped” Mum and Dad have me. I don’t think I fully understood all the intricacies of it, but I knew Steptoe and Edwards as nice men that we met from time to time and I think that was a good move by Mum and Dad. They did it because they were also worried that I might get comments at school and so that I was informed.
5. Did you suffer any fertility issues?
No. My two sons Cameron and Aiden were conceived naturally. It took a little while but I never had to consider IVF myself.
6.Would you go through what your parents did to have you?
I think anyone who has children will say it is the most wonderful thing in the world and I wouldn’t be without my two fantastic sons. Mum and Dad went through so much and were determined for such a long time. Even when Mum was told it was a million-to-one chance that she would have a baby, she didn’t give up. To be honest Mum especially was willing to do anything to have her own child. I’m not sure I would have been as dedicated and determined as her.
7. Is IVF going in the right direction now the UK allows 3-person IVF?
I am not an expert on IVF and many of the new techniques and processes are far beyond my understanding. There was a lot of criticism of Mum and Dad when I was born saying that it was against the natural way of things. Some of the criticisms of today’s techniques sound pretty much the same. I trust the doctors and medical profession to do what is right.
8.How do you feel about being an icon of hope – for millions of couples around the world?
It really only comes home to me when I travel around the world. In the book I have written about my recent travels to Brazil and Bulgaria. When you get to such places and see how much IVF means to people and how they see me as a symbol of “hope” then it is really overwhelming and touching. Most days I am more bothered about looking after my own children and going through my daily life! Really the icons were Mum and Dad, Steptoe and Edwards – I am just the result of what they did!
9. How did the media, and negative attention change your parents lives … or did they retain a normality?
In the early days the media and worldwide reaction was at times frightening for the family. But after a while Mum and Dad took me out of the spotlight and refused to do interviews and we eventually settled into a normal life with just the odd media intrusion every time there was an IVF breakthrough or I reached a milestone birthday.
10.What’s changed for them over the decades since your birth, in terms of attitudes and support?
Today there is a much warmer and accepting attitude from people. Most people realise that IVF has brought happiness to a lot of people. My Mum originally went to the doctor with depression – but at the heart of it was her inability to conceive. Today, thanks to what she did, many more women can get help to conceive and when they look at the history of IVF they appreciate the work of the pioneers. I am happy to keep the memory of Mum, Dad, Steptoe and Edwards alive with my story.
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