Emma and Jake’s IVF Journey: A Story of Hope
Emma opens up about their experience: “Jake and I have known each other since we were kids. We bought our first home together when I was 19 and he was 21, and we tied the knot three years later. Life was busy with moving and decorating our new place, and we were having a blast. Starting a family was always on our minds, but it just didn’t happen. We thought everything was fine, but as time went on, I began feeling more and more disheartened. All my friends were becoming parents, and I was really ready for that next step, but it just wasn’t unfolding as expected.”
After some tests, they discovered their fertility issues were unexplained. “Not having a clear reason was both frustrating and oddly comforting. So, we decided to take the leap and go through with the referrals, choosing Oxford Fertility for our treatment.”
“Honestly, we were fortunate—the entire IVF process was pretty much a textbook case. I had all the necessary medications delivered right to our doorstep, and then we were off. I had a pretty normal health background and had never been hospitalized before, so the thought of being sedated for the egg retrieval was a bit intimidating. But when the day came, it turned out to be a lovely experience. Everyone at the clinic was incredibly positive, and the staff was so supportive. Before long, I was waking up with a cup of tea in an Oxford Fertility mug. There’s even a cute photo of me holding it, still half asleep!”
“We managed to retrieve twelve eggs, with nine being fertilized and six making it to day five. The embryo transfer felt a bit like a smear test, but it was such an emotional moment. The clinicians told us they couldn’t decide which embryo to transfer because they were all so high quality. I thought, wow, they’re choosing who our child will be! After the quick procedure, we stepped outside, looked at each other, and both broke down in tears. On the way home, I joked that we had extra luggage—there was someone else in the car!”
“I took some time off work because my job was quite stressful, and I wanted to give us the best possible chance. Since we only had one NHS-funded cycle, I was determined to do everything right. When we took the test on day nine, sitting in our bathroom, we saw the faint positive line which grew darker over time. It felt surreal; I had never truly believed it would happen for us, but everything worked out so perfectly, and we felt so incredibly lucky.”
“The birth didn’t go as planned, resulting in an emergency C-section since I wasn’t dilating and our baby was under stress. The consultant later explained that my placenta had issues, which meant the baby wasn’t getting enough oxygen during labor. We could have faced serious trouble, but thankfully, everything turned out fine. For my second child, I had to schedule an elective C-section due to complications from the first. Just like before, getting pregnant with our second son was straightforward.”
“Now, we have two wonderful boys, just four years apart. Our eldest, Max, turns five soon, while our youngest, Leo, is just one. Their birthdays are only ten days apart! We’re living a beautiful life surrounded by our two boys, managing school runs, baby classes, and nap times. It’s amazing.”
“Max is all about football and anything active. He’s so full of energy and personality, while Leo is calm and gentle. It’s clear they’ll grow up quite different, but it’s heartwarming to see how they adore each other. Every single day, I think about how fortunate we are to have them.”
“While I feel our family is complete, Jake still thinks there might be room for one more, especially since we have four embryos waiting. It’s a tough decision to make—how do you ever let go of them?”
If you’re interested in learning more about fertility options, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination. And for additional insights on summer sun safety, check out one of our other blog posts!
Summary
Emma and Jake’s journey through IVF was a heartwarming experience filled with ups and downs. From their childhood friendship to navigating fertility challenges, they welcomed two beautiful boys into their lives. Despite feeling complete, they ponder the future of their family as they cherish every moment with their children.