Prologue and Introduction

1. Amira

1.1. Philosopher

1.2. Reproductively 'elderly' with a very infertile and husband and thus a poor prognosis

1.3. Faithful to God that he will forgive her and reward her with a child

1.4. Stigmatized by family and society for not having children

2. IVF in egypt

2.1. Expensive procedure $30,000. Benefits the wealthy elite while poor Egyptians have limited access to treatment

2.2. It is important to have 100% percent trust in your Doctor, Religion plays a big role in this

2.3. Gender differences= in treatment and stigmatizing of the disease

2.4. Globalization, Transnationalism, & unevenness of the globalizing process

2.5. Substantial infertile population size; Egypt provides a ready market for new reproductive technologies

2.6. Shaped by local, social, cultural, religious and scientific traditions

3. Demography and epidemiology

3.1. Infertility is a global health issue that is overlooked

3.1.1. 50-80 million people worldwide may be experiencing infertility worldwide; estimated that between 29.4-44.1 million are muslim

3.1.1.1. Social and religious practices play a huge role

4. Pronatalism

4.1. Beliefs about importance of motherhood, fatherhood, and desirability of having children

4.2. Economic factors in because low-class urban Egyptians children serve as a route to gain social power

4.3. Gender relations- Patrilocal extended family