Couple returns to Aggieland for IVF treatment after AL court decision shuts down clinic

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – A couple from Aggieland was forced to make some drastic decisions after a recent move to Alabama but their future plans at risk.

An Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos created through IVF can be considered children, triggered clinics around the state to pause treatments and procedures. Both sides of the political aisle have widely criticized the decision, fearing the future of IVF access.

“The IVF process is a way of giving life to even more babies. I think the goal is to make sure we can find a pathway to ensure that parents who otherwise may not have the opportunity to have a child will be able to have access to the IVF process and become parents and give life to babies,” Gov. Greg Abbott said.

“Putting access to IVF at risk, think about that,” Vice President Kamala Harris said. “Individuals, couples who want to start a family, are now being deprived of access to what can help them start a family. So on the one hand, the proponents are saying that an individual doesn’t have a right to end an unwanted pregnancy. And on the other hand, the individual does not have a right to start a family. The hypocrisy abounds on this issue.”

Gabby and Spencer Goidel met at Texas A&M, got married in 2021 and instantly wanted to start a family. But, attempts were met with heartbreak, and three miscarriages later, doctors recommended IVF for the couple.

“It’s taken almost eight months of testing and calling doctors and getting in and kind of being a self-advocate for us to start this. Now that we’re in it, it is three shots every night and multiple doctor’s appointments. I have doctor’s appointments almost every day and just it’s a huge toll emotionally and physically,” Gabby said.

The night before Gabby was ready to go in for her egg retrieval surgery in Alabama, the pair received a call. The clinic they use was pausing procedures and would not be able to complete the retrieval. With a 10 to 14-day window to get the procedure done, Gabby and Spencer had to think quickly.

“It’s a very time-sensitive procedure. I was on day seven when I found out my clinic closed, so right in the dead middle of that process. That’s why it was such a sensitive thing for us, in this really awful situation that we had found ourselves in and why we had to get on a plane that night. I had got on a plane, landed at 8 p.m. and I had the doctor’s appointment the next morning,” Gabby said.

That appointment brought them back to Aggieland, and they were able to find a safe haven.

“This absolutely could not happen without Baylor Scott & White. They have been incredible, my doctors and my teams here and in Temple have been overwhelmingly supportive and helpful,” Gabby said. “After calling many clinics around Alabama and Georgia and in other states, I got a lot of ‘no’s’ and it’s always good to hear that the Aggie Network is really supportive and has helped me out and has saved this process for me.”

Regardless of the pain, Gabby says protecting the IVF process for others means the world if it means they will get to complete their family.

“We’d never thought this would happen when I took those first shots. I did not know this was going to happen and I didn’t think it was going to happen,” she said. “Protect IVF in Texas. You might need it and that’s so awful and I don’t wish that on anybody, but if it’s not an available option to you because it goes away, that would be even more hurtful.”

A bipartisan effort in the Alabama House and Senate is underway to draft clear legislation to protect IVF treatments in the state following the court ruling.