While most people are familiar with Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, few know the story behind the groundbreaking scientific team that made her birth possible. For me, it was only after my own difficult IVF journey that I learned about the remarkable contributions of Jean Purdy, a largely forgotten figure in the history of reproductive science. Born at Oldham General Hospital, where Louise Brown also entered the world, I was drawn into the story of Purdy through my husband, playwright Jack Thorne. He suggested I become involved in telling the story of IVF’s origins, and in doing so, I discovered the untold history of a woman who played a pivotal role in the IVF revolution.
Without IVF, I wouldn’t have my wonderful eight-year-old son, Elliott, one of the 12 million IVF babies born since Louise’s trailblazing arrival. Yet, the history of how IVF came to be is still little known to most. The trio behind the birth of IVF—physiologist Bob Edwards, obstetrician Patrick Steptoe, and the underappreciated embryologist Jean Purdy—faced immense opposition. Their work was condemned by the press, the church, and their peers, but they persevered against all odds. In fact, when Edwards received the Nobel Prize in 2010 for his role in IVF, the Roman Catholic Church publicly denounced the honor. Many, including pioneering DNA researcher James Watson, viewed their work as too risky, with some fearing it could lead to a disaster akin to the thalidomide crisis. But it was their vision, determination, and ingenuity that brought about a scientific revolution in reproduction.
As debates around women’s bodies and choices continue to shape the discourse on fertility, I feel compelled to revisit the moment when fertilization outside the fallopian tube became a reality—and to reflect on the invaluable role of Jean Purdy. The more I learned about her, the more it seemed like yet another instance of a woman being erased from history. Both Edwards and Steptoe advocated for Purdy’s recognition, with Edwards famously stating, “There were three original pioneers in IVF, not just two.” But Purdy, who was shy and private, remained in the background, content to care for patients and embryos while her colleagues took center stage in the public eye.
It was not uncommon for men to be celebrated for pioneering new technologies, but Purdy’s contributions were equally significant. She spent countless hours supporting the women undergoing IVF treatment, and she was the first to observe and describe the formation of the human blastocyst—an achievement that laid the groundwork for modern IVF techniques. Louise Brown fondly recalls how her mother referred to Purdy as her “first babysitter,” as she closely monitored the developing embryo in the lab. Purdy’s systems and procedures are now standard practice in IVF treatments worldwide.
Tragically, Jean Purdy’s life was cut short at the age of 39, and she never married or had children of her own, further reinforcing her invisibility in the historical narrative. When researching for a film about the IVF pioneers, I struggled to find much information about her. She was such a private person that she avoided the spotlight, often hiding behind magazines or avoiding photos. Grace MacDonald, the mother of the first IVF boy, Alastair, who became close to Purdy during her time in Oldham, recalls how “doubly dedicated” Purdy was to her work, caring for embryos “like a mother hen.”
It wasn’t until March 2022, after decades of advocacy by Edwards, that Purdy was finally officially recognized for her crucial role. Along with Sister Muriel Harris, another often-overlooked female member of the team, Purdy’s name was added to the plaques in Oldham, where her work has now been acknowledged and celebrated. Edwards had campaigned as early as 1980 to have her included, but his request was rejected until this landmark recognition decades later.
As I sit in a coffee shop, observing new mothers chatting about their babies’ routines, I’m reminded of the tremendous progress made in fertility treatments and the joy that IVF has brought to countless families. None of this would have been possible without the pioneering work of Edwards, Steptoe, and Purdy. Like so many women, I initially hesitated to step into the limelight to share my story. But, as a mother, I understood that I had to. In doing so, I join the ranks of women who now have the privilege to speak the names of those who made it all possible, ensuring that Jean Purdy’s legacy is no longer overlooked.
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