On December 29, 2023, Krystena Murray gave birth to a beautiful baby boy conceived through IVF. But the moment she saw him, she knew something might have gone wrong. Her precious newborn was a different race than her and her sperm donor.
Despite the shock, Krystena embraced her son with love. “I was happy I was a mom—he was beautiful and perfect. But it was also clear that something was wrong,” she recalled.
Hoping that he was still her baby, Murray took an at-home DNA test which confirmed she was in no way related to him.
Seeking answers, Krystena’s lawyers contacted Coastal Fertility Specialists, the clinic where she had undergone treatment. In March, the clinic informed another couple that their embryo had been mistakenly implanted into Krystena. Almost immediately, the biological parents pursued legal action to gain custody of the baby.
“I spent my entire life wanting to be a mom. I loved, nurtured, and grew my child. And I would have done anything in my power to keep him,” Krystena said through her tears.
By May, Krystena faced an impossible choice. In court, she was told there would probably be no legal path for her to keep the baby she had carried for nine months. Heartbroken, she voluntarily handed over custody to his biological parents.
“The happiest day of their life was the worst day of mine,” she said. “It felt like I was losing my entire life all at once.”
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Now, Krystena is suing Coastal Fertility Specialists, determined to hold them accountable for the devastating mistake.
“The actions of the fertility clinic have come very close to destroying me. They have left irreparable damage to my soul and ultimately left me wondering if I should be a mom or not,” she shared.
Her lawyer emphasized the broader issue at hand—IVF is a largely unregulated industry, leaving families vulnerable to tragic errors. “There are no reporting requirements when mistakes are made, no random and unannounced inspections, and no state or federally mandated certifications for clinic staff,” he warned.
Coastal Fertility Specialists responded with a statement, claiming, “This was an isolated event with no further patients affected. The same day this error was discovered, we immediately conducted an in-depth review and put additional safeguards in place to further protect patients and ensure that such an incident does not happen again.”
Yet, Krystena’s story is a painful reminder of the deep ethical and emotional consequences of IVF. The process not only results in the destruction of countless preborn babies but can also shatter families in unimaginable ways. Join us in prayer for Krystena—that the Lord will bring healing, strength, and hope in the midst of her suffering.
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