Explaining IVF to children?

[Hopefulsibling2]

Hello,

Does anyone have any experience of explaining IVF/Fertility treatment to older siblings?

My son is 6 years old... and was created from the same egg collection as the embryo currently in my belly (in 2017). We've decided to tell him, despite still being super early, because he is very switched on and inquisitive, we wanted him to find out from us rather than someone else letting the cat out of the bag.

Fortunately he is very excited, but also asking LOTS of questions - some of which I'm struggling to explain to him in a way that makes sense, and not to cause any worry to him.

We have the book 'Robo Babies' which we read last night, and helps to a certain extent - but looking for something that goes in to a little more detail now he's older and understands.

Has anyone found anything helpful that they could share please?!

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Just wanted to wish you good luck and it is a great idea to explain what is happening to a soon-to-be-big brother If you Google " Best books for ivf babies " you will should find something suitable

Look after yourself

Janet-Partner

[Hopefulsibling2 in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you!

[Hinemo]

I really recommend Making a baby by Rachel Greener - it covers all sorts of conceptions and family's

[Hopefulsibling2 in reply to Hinemo]

Thank you! I was looking at this one online last night.. grateful of a recommendation for it - thank you! My son is so inquisitive and has LOTS of questions!

[Doodlebug23]

I have found a few on Amazon that I’m planning to get when my daughter is older.

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[Hopefulsibling2 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Thank you!

[nat55zt]

I would say just be honest. At this age it is not about really understanding but the child just likes to talk about topic that fascinates them. I am talking from my own experience. I was conceived with IUI since dad had low sperm count and IVF was just about to become the next big thing. After I was born my parents were trying for another baby so they frequently took me with them to the clinic since they didn’t want to leave me in someone else’s care. And one day when I was about five, and I was complaining in the waiting room that I was being bored, they told me that we were going there so I might have a little brother or sister and that doctors helped them have me too. I had I bunch of questions and they talked to me like I was an adult. I didn’t understand much but I loved that they talked to me about grown up things. I was probably extremely annoying with my questions 😂

[Hopefulsibling2 in reply to nat55zt]

Ahh I love this, thank you for sharing. Up until this point we've definitely tried to talk to him like an adult, so will continue in that way

[HollyT7]

I think I need to look into it a little bit more…my 4 year old shouts MUMMY!! I saw the freezer!! Everytime we pass our old ivf facility 🤣 he knows that him and his brother were made the same day and that we left his brother in the freezer with the other babies until we wanted to put him into mummy’s tummy 🙄

[Hopefulsibling2 in reply to HollyT7]

Ahhh I love this!