This is a guest opinion column

“I just want my baby,” she sobbed, having trouble taking a deep breath. “I know, I know,” I said. There was nothing else to say. My heart was heavy and I felt powerless, since I was now unable to complete the course of treatment that she, her husband and I agreed to months ago since the loss of their third pregnancy. I have known this couple for many years and we have been through many ups and downs together in their journey to have a baby — and I never imagined we would be in this situation.

This is just one of the dozens of heartwrenching conversations I have had since the Alabama Supreme Court declared that frozen embryos are children and our clinic has wrestled with the decision to continue to offer in-vitro fertilization cycles. This decision is a terrifying, existential threat to thousands of Alabamans whose most precious and longed-for dream is a baby. And as a reproductive endocrinologist at one of only five IVF clinics in the state, I have seen firsthand the sadness, anger and frustration these families are facing in this terrible moment.

If you come see me for an appointment at my fertility clinic, it means you deeply want to have a baby. The process is long and uncertain. It is hard both emotionally and physically. It is the privilege of my career to be able to help these families have children — I can think of no professional calling more rewarding than helping people become parents.

We also become deeply invested in our patients’ journeys. The nature of what we do creates strong bonds. The day of the pregnancy test after an embryo transfer is filled with hope. The doctors and nurses refresh our computer screens on repeat as we anxiously await the result. We love to be the first one to see the positive test, so that we can be the first ones to call the patient and share the news with the rest of the team. Every positive test feels like such a victory. It is another wished-for baby, joining parents who have hoped and planned for a family. Not to mention the joyful grandparents — the impact of IVF is far-reaching.

When people ask me what it’s like to be an infertility specialist, I tell people it’s the “highest highs and the lowest lows.” Unfortunately, this past week has been the lowest lows of my entire career in medicine. I have never felt so helpless as a physician. If we are unable to use IVF and embryo freezing in my practice, it makes upholding the standard of care for my patients impossible. It also means my patients are having really hard conversations about what this ruling means for them and their families. They are asking themselves, “do we wait and hope this decision is reversed? What options do we have available for our embryos? Do we give up entirely?” Unfortunately, at this juncture, I am unable to give them any clear answers on what comes next and what they should do.

The Alabama Supreme Court ruling is truly a nightmare for the physicians and patients throughout the state. There is no question fewer babies will be born because of this ruling. We are pro-family here in Alabama and we need our state lawmakers to protect our patients’ rights to build their families and access the healthcare they need to conceive. Please help us get back to the days when we are anxiously refreshing our computer screen for long-awaited positive pregnancy tests.

Dr Mamie McLean is an infertility specialist at Alabama Fertility Specialists in Homewood