Did you know someone got Doom running on a pregnancy test—and you can play it in a NY Times article?
I know, it sounds like a headline pulled from a sci-fi movie or a fever dream. But it’s true. In May, I stumbled across this wild story about a tech whiz who managed to play the classic video game Doom inside a New York Times article—using the display technology from a PREGNANCY TEST.
I promise, this isn’t just another quirky internet rabbit hole. There’s an unexpected and powerful lesson here for anyone trying to start or grow their family. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or even a bit hopeless on your fertility journey, stick around. This one’s for you.
The Impossible Is Just Untried
Let’s pause for a second: Doom—a high-speed, action-packed video game from the ’90s—was never meant for a tiny, monochrome pregnancy test screen.
- No joystick.
- Barely any pixels.
- Not even a “start” button!
Yet, someone looked at that little device and thought, Why not?
That’s the same spirit I see in every person and couple who decides, “We’re going to try. Maybe in a way no one expects. Maybe in a way that goes against what everyone tells us is possible.”
If a classic video game can break out of its old boundaries, why can’t our hopes for a family?
Breaking Out of Boxes—Literally and Figuratively
When I first read the Kottke.org article, I thought about my own boxed-in feelings. Maybe you know the feeling:
- The “shoulds” about what parenthood looks like.
- The ticking clock.
- The judgments and doubts from people who’ve never walked in your shoes.
But what if, like that hacker with a tiny screen, we ask: Is there another way? What if it’s not about what the family-building journey “should” look like, but what could be possible for you?
Surprising Tools for Surprising Outcomes
Let’s get real—a pregnancy test is designed to deliver a simple answer. But in the viral story, it became a platform for creativity and connection that no one saw coming.
In the world of fertility, that same outside-the-box thinking saves lives, hearts, and dreams every single day. People are building families using donor sperm, at-home insemination, and even new tech solutions that didn’t exist a decade ago.
Take MakeAMom, for example. Their mission isn’t only about science; it’s about empowerment. By offering innovative home insemination kits, they help people redraw their own maps to parenthood—on their terms, in the privacy and comfort of home, sometimes with tools and hope that traditional paths just can’t give.
- CryoBaby for using frozen sperm
- Impregnator specially designed for sperm motility challenges
- BabyMaker for people with sensitivities or vaginismus
Reusable. Discreet. Yours. Just like running Doom where no one thought possible, these kits exist because someone believed there had to be another way.
What’s Possible When You Stop Accepting Limits?
Every viral tech story starts with someone refusing to accept “that’s impossible.” So, why shouldn’t we bring that same tenacity to our fertility journeys?
- Doctors said it would take years—yet some people conceive on the first try with help.
- Society said “that’s not for you”—yet LGBTQ+ families, single parents by choice, and folks facing infertility are rewriting narratives every day.
- You may be told “your case is too complex”—but new solutions and communities are opening doors all the time.
Community: The Ultimate Cheat Code
Here’s the secret: You don’t have to go it alone.
Just like the coder who made Doom run in a wild new place, you also have a community cheering for you, ready to share hacks, tips, encouragement—and maybe a laugh or two along the journey. Here at Nestful, we’re proof that when you gather people with determination, creativity, and heart, the “impossible” starts looking like a warm-up level.
- Share your story, no matter how nontraditional.
- Ask for advice when you’re stuck on a “boss level.”
- Pick up the tools that work for you—even if they’re not what everyone else is using.
Your Next Move: Press ‘Start’ on Possibility
So, what if you approached your next step—whether it’s considering at-home insemination, reaching out to a new provider, or just believing in your own resilience—with the same playful, “Let’s try it and see” mindset?
This week’s viral story isn’t just about rewriting the rules of technology. It’s a challenge to all of us: Where could things go if you stopped accepting the limits handed to you?
Whether you’re still searching for your answers, or already deep in your own journey, don’t be afraid to play the game your way. The tools, the support, and the inspiration are out there—often in the places you least expect them.
Don’t forget to check out the resources and community stories at MakeAMom if you’re curious what new possibilities might look like for you.
Because in the game of family-building, the only real “cheat code” is believing you get to define what’s possible.
What boundaries are YOU ready to cross next? Share your biggest “why not?” in the comments, and let’s inspire each other to keep leveling up.