TAMPA, Fla. — There are many issues this election cycle that voters are paying attention to.

For some voters like Allison Freeman, one of the most important is in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Becoming a mom was not an easy journey for Freeman, but after years of struggle, it was thanks to IVF that she was able to have her daughter.

“I remember seeing how strong the heartbeat was on the ultrasound and thinking, my gosh, this worked,” she said.  

It’s been five years since Freeman gave birth, but Freeman’s journey with IVF didn’t end after her daughter was born.

As an attorney, she began working with clients who were going through IVF treatments.

Even as a lawyer herself, she says there were times she wishes she had her own legal help during her treatments.

“There are so many times I would stay up at night and be like, why can’t I get pregnant?” Freeman said. “Why am I having to use IVF? This is exhausting. It’s a lot. And one day I was like, maybe this is why I went through IVF, and I happened to be a lawyer, so that I could help other people on their journeys.” 

This election cycle, IVF has garnered a lot of attention.

Earlier this year, the Alabama State Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children and those who destroy them can be held liable.

This led to multiple IVF providers in Alabama temporarily pausing services.

Both presidential candidates have since voiced support for IVF, but some of Freeman’s clients raised concerns about the safety of their embryos.  

“I’ve had clients reach out and say, 'Hey, I’m in this state or that state,'” she said. “'Should I be moving my embryos to a different state? Should I be seeking a clinic that’s in another state?' And those are thoughts they never had before.”

Freeman doesn’t consider herself a one-issue voter, but her connection to IVF means she’s keeping that issue in mind when she votes this year.

Dr. Daniel Duffy, who specializes in IVF treatment, said around 1 in 8 couples have infertility issues and can’t have children naturally.