Select Region
Let's Get Social!


The Wildest Pregnancy Scheme We've Heard

The Wildest Pregnancy Scheme We've Heard

Some NYC parents are timing pregnancies to get their kids into top private schools.


Some couples want a summer baby, and do their best to make it happen. Others try to make sure their child will arrive during a time when their favorite OB will be available to oversee the delivery. And, of course, some parents try to space out their pregnancies so they won’t have two children in diapers at once.

But would you time an in vitro fertilization to raise your child’s odds of getting into an elite private school? According to a new story published in the New York Post, that’s exactly what some ambitious New York City couples are now doing.

Angst for August, September Babies

Dr. Brian Levine, the practice director of CCRM New York, an all-inclusive fertility center, told the Post that it’s not uncommon for patients to time their embryo transfers to increase their unborn child’s chances of being admitted a top private school.

“The concern is, they want every door open when it comes to private school. They feel like they’ve planned their pregnancy perfectly and part of planning the pregnancy perfectly is planning their kid’s trajectory,” said Levine. “And they want to give their child every shot possible.”



Proper timing is especially a consideration with embryo transfers around November and December, Dr. Levine said, since those will result in August and September babies. Children usually need to be 5 years old by September 1 to be admitted to kindergarten; otherwise they get held back till the following year.

Pros and Cons of Putting off Pregnancy

Many of Levine’s patients, the doctor said, are leery of having a child who won’t make the cut, or who may end up being the youngest in the class. This season alone, Levine shared, roughly five patients put off their embryo transfers because of concerns about how it might ultimately affect school admission.

Still, some some opt for a November embryo transfer purposely—if they know they’ll be having a boy, they may prefer for him to start preschool a year later and be the oldest in his class.

Related links: Stay Healthy and Comfortable During Pregnancy

Sign Up Now for Our Weekend Planner Newsletter!

More News Articles:

Things to Do with Kids in NYC this Weekend

Enjoy these fun things to do with your kids in New York City this weekend. Start planning your weekend now with our editorially curated list of happen...


Latest News:

Governors Island to Hold One of NYC's Largest Egg Hunts

The island's new spring-time celebration will be on April 8 and feature a wooden egg hunt for kids to enjoy.


Family Activities:



Have a Laugh:

Best Memes of the Week for Parents

Here are the funniest parenting memes from Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit this week.
Deborah Skolnik

Author: Deborah Skolnik, a graduate of Cornell University, lives in Westchester with her husband and two daughters, and enjoys writing, cooking, and gardening. See More

Featured Listings:

Therapy and Learning Center

Therapy and Learning Center

TLC provides expert instruction in pre-academics, fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic, along with core knowledge in health, science, and ...

Blue Sky Counseling Associates

Blue Sky Counseling Associates

Mohegan Lake, NY The mission of Blue Sky Counseling Associates is to guide individuals, couples, and family on a journey of achieving psychological and spiritual well-...

East Woods School

East Woods School

Oyster Bay, NY For 70 years, East Woods has been committed to fostering strength of character and academic excellence. We pride ourselves on developing and encourag...

St. Paul School

St. Paul School

Valley Cottage, NY For over 50 years, St. Paul School has been providing a supportive environment designed to stimulate sound judgment, critical thinking, acquisition of...