In a recent podcast and documentary, former Olympian Ellie Simmonds opens up about her struggles and considerations around starting a family. She discusses her indecision around whether to have children, and the unique complications she faces due to her achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism. If a future partner also had dwarfism, there is a risk they would ‘double dose’ the dwarfism gene, which could result in a pregnancy that would not survive. However, Simmonds also discusses the possibility of using PGT-M tests with IVF, which screen for gene disorders and ensure only healthy embryos are used. Nonetheless, she finds the idea of using this technology emotional and is not yet certain of her decision.