Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has grown significantly since the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first ‘test-tube baby’ in 1978, with more than 8 million babies estimated to have been born worldwide as a result of IVF and other advanced fertility treatments.

A young NSW mum made news recently after disclosing that she almost bled to death following the birth of her baby as part of an altruistic surrogacy arrangement.

Appearing before a parliamentary committee on the Repeal of Sex Work Offences Bill this week, Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier expressed her support for decriminalising prostitution in South Australia and criticised the current law for not providing adequate protections to those in the industry.

New research has found that most women undergoing IVF treatment in Australia are paying for costly add-on treatments despite “rather weak” evidence of their effectiveness and safety.