Netflix's 'Joy' Revisits the Groundbreaking Birth of IVF and Ongoing Fertility Stigma

The film celebrates the pioneers behind the world's first IVF baby while examining societal challenges that persist in reproductive health today.

Louise Joy Brown, born in 1978, was the first baby conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF), a medical breakthrough achieved by Dr. Robert Edwards, Dr. Patrick Steptoe, and Jean Purdy.
Netflix's new film 'Joy,' released on November 22, 2024, dramatizes the struggles faced by the scientists and patients involved in the pioneering IVF research, highlighting societal and institutional resistance.
The movie explores the stigma surrounding infertility and reproductive health, drawing parallels between the challenges of the 1970s and those still faced today, including workplace discrimination and restrictive laws.
Over 12 million babies have been born through IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies since Louise's birth, transforming possibilities for individuals and families worldwide.
Louise Joy Brown, now an advocate for reproductive health, continues to share her story and support initiatives aimed at addressing infertility and raising awareness about the impact of fertility stigma.