From the very start, Emily Thompson was a meticulous planner. As a teenager, she envisioned her life unfolding perfectly: meeting her soulmate in high school, tying the knot by 21, and welcoming four kids by the time she turned 30. Growing up as an only child, she dreamed of a big family where her kids would be close in age.
But life had other plans.
Emily’s journey began at 17 when she visited her first OB/GYN due to a lack of menstrual cycles. “She’s just a late bloomer,” the doctor reassured her mother, prescribing medication that finally induced her first cycle. However, it wasn’t until 2014—two years later—that Emily experienced her second cycle. During that time, she consulted numerous doctors who prescribed various hormonal birth controls that only led to side effects like nausea and headaches.
At 20, Emily received a diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder characterized by enlarged ovaries containing small cysts. Concerned, she had countless questions: “What does this mean for my future? Can I still have kids?” It was a challenge to find a doctor who truly addressed her concerns about starting a family.
“Over those years, I had maybe two cycles,” Emily recalls, “but they lasted for months—like 7 to 8 months—without stopping.”
In 2017, Emily finally met a doctor who listened and created an effective treatment plan, allowing her childhood dream to resurface. However, her journey with her high school sweetheart, Mark, who later became her husband, was only just beginning.
In 2018, they experienced their first pregnancy, which heartbreakingly ended at just over 12 weeks. Another pregnancy followed in 2021, but it ended in a loss at 5 weeks. Despite the heartbreak, they remained hopeful about becoming parents. By 2022, after trying to regulate Emily’s cycle, her OB/GYN referred her to a fertility clinic.
“We went in feeling like we knew what we wanted but had so many questions,” Emily shared.
From the first visit, something felt off about the clinic. Nonetheless, she proceeded with an intrauterine insemination (IUI) in October, which didn’t succeed. In December, she tried again, but when her blood test results came back, the clinic suggested another round of IUI. Trusting her instincts, Emily insisted on further blood work, which led her to an at-home pregnancy test. In January 2023, the test revealed she was pregnant.
Feeling anxious due to her past experiences and the clinic’s dismissiveness, Emily and Mark went to the ER, where their pregnancy was confirmed. To her shock, the clinic dismissed her results, prompting Emily to reach out to her OB/GYN, who conducted additional tests validating the pregnancy.
However, by 5 weeks, she began experiencing intense pain, leading to multiple ER visits. Despite her hCG levels staying high, doctors treated her for a UTI. Eventually, they discovered an ectopic pregnancy that necessitated immediate termination. On January 13, 2023, they faced their third loss, and her OB/GYN recommended waiting three months before trying again.
During this time, Emily took the initiative to research fertility specialists. Everyone she consulted pointed her toward Indiana Fertility Institute. By April 2023, she had her first appointment with Dr. Sarah Johnson.
“From the moment we met, I knew she was the right doctor for us. I felt understood and cared for,” Emily recalled.
By October 2023, Emily began her IVF journey, resulting in 41 eggs being retrieved, with 35 maturing and 20 embryos being created, all of which survived the freezing process. In November, she had a frozen embryo transfer, which unfortunately didn’t succeed.
Now, Emily and Mark are in a holding pattern, waiting for another transfer opportunity in June 2024. “Throughout this time, Dr. Johnson and her team have been incredibly supportive, answering all my questions and guiding me through this waiting period. We’re so excited to continue this journey with them and look forward to our little miracle.”
Emily’s fertility journey has been long, filled with hurdles and uncertainties, but she has found strength in sharing her story with others facing similar challenges. Her advice? “Be open with your doctors and your partner. Share your concerns, fears, and questions. Everything you feel is valid, and you’re not alone.”
We are deeply grateful to Emily for her courage and willingness to share her experience to inspire others on their fertility paths. At Indiana Fertility Institute, we are here to support her—and all our patients—every step of the way. For more insights, check out our blog on delightful scented baby cleansing wipes.
In summary, Emily’s journey highlights the unpredictable nature of fertility and the importance of seeking support and advocating for oneself.