Emma and Jake had high hopes for starting their family after getting married and moving in together, but things didn’t go as planned.
Emma shares, “We were one of those couples who assumed that starting a family would be straightforward. We got married, stopped using birth control, and thought a baby would come along. After 18 months of trying, we decided to consult a doctor. The results from the tests were inconclusive, and eventually, a specialist at the local hospital informed us that IVF would be necessary.”
Their journey took an unexpected turn when the pandemic hit. “I needed a final scan that got postponed from February to July 2020 due to lockdown. When I finally had the scan, it revealed a 6cm cyst on my ovary that I hadn’t even known about. I had been experiencing painful periods, thinking they were normal. Unfortunately, the cyst had to be removed before we could begin IVF.”
The consultant was incredibly supportive. “She understood how much we longed for a baby, especially since we had been trying for over two years. Despite the challenges posed by lockdown, she managed to schedule my surgery within three weeks. Then, just six weeks post-op, we dove straight into IVF.”
Jake recalls their first consultation. “We had a Zoom meeting with our consultant at TFP Oxford Fertility, who had hosted an open evening we attended right before lockdown. He was very informative, and we were impressed that someone of his stature was so engaged with us and other couples. He had even appeared on a BBC show about male fertility, which made us feel even more confident.”
Following their consultation, Emma underwent blood tests and had a meeting with a nurse to plan the next steps. “I began my medication on December 1st, with my first injection on Christmas Eve, which felt incredibly special. By New Year’s Day, we learned that egg collection would be on January 4th, and transfer day was set for January 9th.”
“Everything went smoothly, and we felt reassured by the clinic staff. Ten days later, I found out I was pregnant!” Emma said. Reflecting on that Christmas, she added, “It was a joyful time for us. Just the two of us in a lockdown bubble, we focused on each other without the usual distractions. We were hopeful, yet realistic about the journey ahead.”
“It’s funny,” Emma continued, “I don’t remember much about being pregnant; it seemed to fly by. We were nervous about potential miscarriages, so we opted for private scans.”
Jake chimed in, “The 4D scans were incredible. When our son, Leo, was born, he looked just like he did in the scans – it was uncanny. We took extra scans during the first trimester because we were cautious about everything. The first trimester felt slow, but the last two went by in a blur.”
Emma smiled as she remembered, “It was amazing to finally have a baby bump. It was everything we had dreamed of for years, and feeling him grow and kick was a surreal experience. Sometimes, I look back and feel like it was all just a beautiful dream.”
Their delivery came with its own set of challenges. “We planned for a cesarean due to Emma’s low-lying placenta, and everything went according to plan,” Jake explained. “But shortly after birth, Leo had to be rushed to the hospital with a suspected bowel issue. Thankfully, he was perfectly fine.”
Now that they’re home, Emma and Jake have settled into a nice routine. “Leo is a smiley baby who sleeps well. He had a bit of trouble gaining weight at first, but now he’s thriving. Compared to friends’ experiences, we feel very fortunate – he even slept ten hours straight last night!”
Emma reflected on their journey, saying, “We learned so much through this experience. When people say to relax, they’re absolutely right. We eagerly anticipated each step of the process. Listening to the Mindful IVF app every night helped us unwind, and we also binge-watched the entire series of Friends.”
Jake noted, “It’s easy to get caught up in the best-case scenario, but it’s important to stay open-minded. We feel lucky that everything worked out the first time. If it hadn’t, I think we’d be looking at things quite differently.”
Emma added, “At every stage of IVF, we made a ‘faith purchase.’ Our first was a cozy grey and white blanket right after my surgery to remove the cyst, and now Leo uses that blanket! We documented our journey with photos, even silly selfies in the car, so we could always remember this special time.”
“IVF has definitely strengthened our relationship. We both felt the heartache of hoping to be pregnant month after month, and it consumed a large part of our lives. We’re not ready to try for another baby yet; we just want to soak in every moment with Leo. But we do have two embryos waiting in the freezer. Whenever we pass the fertility clinic, we wave and say hello!”
If you want to explore more about the joys of parenting, check out this blog post. For those considering their own family journey, resources like this one are invaluable, and you might also find this artificial insemination kit helpful.
Summary
Emma and Jake faced unexpected challenges on their path to parenthood, including a necessary surgery and the complications of the pandemic. Their IVF journey was supported by a dedicated team, and after overcoming numerous hurdles, they welcomed their son, Leo. The experience not only brought them closer together but also taught them valuable lessons about hope and resilience.