Meet Sarah and Mike, a couple who entered their IVF journey full of optimism, and their experience did not disappoint. On their very first IVF attempt, Sarah found out she was pregnant!
In the spring of 2021, Sarah and Mike welcomed baby Ella into their world, filling their lives with joy. “It’s been absolutely amazing,” Sarah shares with a radiant smile. “Every moment is precious. What we went through was absolutely worth it, and I’m seeing a whole new side of Mike – Ella is truly ‘daddy’s little girl.’”
Reflecting on the IVF Process
Reflecting on the IVF process, Sarah recalls it being relatively smooth. “Everything went well,” she says. “The information Dr. Smith and our nurse Emily provided us about what to expect during the cycle was top-notch, so I never felt lost.”
Despite her initial hesitation, Sarah quickly got the hang of administering her daily injections during the ovarian stimulation phase. Mike, however, was a bit anxious about giving her the final injection, the intramuscular Trigger shot, before the egg retrieval. “He was really worried about hurting me or messing it up,” Sarah explains. “Fortunately, my nurse recommended a service that sends a nurse to your home for injections, so we decided to go with that. It turned out great!”
The only hiccup Sarah faced during her treatment was related to her medication supply. “One of my medication dosages was increased, and suddenly I realized I wouldn’t have enough for that night’s shot. Of course, it was a weekend! So, we ended up flying to the nearest clinic because they were the only ones open to fill my prescription.”
Success and Surprises
The egg retrieval was a success, with 30 eggs collected. Since Sarah and Mike had experienced low sperm count in previous cycles, the lab utilized ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) to fertilize the eggs, which allows for fertilization even in cases of male factor infertility. Thankfully, 28 of the eggs fertilized!
Sarah was pleasantly surprised when Dr. Smith personally called to update her on the lab results. “None of my previous doctors had called me themselves, so I was genuinely touched that Dr. Smith took the time to personally discuss our embryos,” she says. “He told me they looked fantastic and that we would proceed with a day 5 embryo transfer.”
Given Sarah’s age, the high number of quality embryos, and this being her first IVF cycle, Dr. Smith suggested considering elective Single Embryo Transfer (eSET). This approach doesn’t diminish the chances of pregnancy but significantly lowers the risk of multiple pregnancies. Sarah and Mike were both on board, “We definitely didn’t want twins!”
The couple ended up with 14 viable blastocysts that they could freeze for future use. If Sarah hadn’t conceived this time, they would have had those 14 chances with Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycles, which are less costly and simpler than a fresh IVF cycle. Since they did achieve a pregnancy, these frozen embryos provide them with options for expanding their family later.
The Two-Week Wait
After the embryo transfer, Sarah had to endure the typical two-week wait before taking a pregnancy test. “Those were the longest two weeks ever,” she recalls. “It was definitely the toughest part of the process for me. I fluctuated between feeling optimistic and convinced it wouldn’t work. I obsessively questioned every little symptom, which I probably wasn’t even having. When the day of the test came, I was so distracted I could barely fill out the paperwork at the lab – waiting for the results felt like an eternity.”
From her previous IUI experiences, Sarah learned to stay home for the test results, “During one IUI cycle, I was out when I got the call about a negative result, and it hit me hard. So, I figured it was best to stay put for the call this time.”
When her nurse delivered the positive news, Sarah was overwhelmed with joy, “I barely held back tears. I was ecstatic.” The following beta tests confirmed the pregnancy was progressing well, and an ultrasound revealed a heartbeat at six weeks. Shortly thereafter, they graduated from their fertility clinic.
Community Support
Throughout her journey, Sarah engaged with the supportive community on social media. Now, she connects with other moms through dedicated groups, “I think all new moms need to chat with fellow moms, but talking to those who have also gone through IVF is extra special. They offer great advice.”
While she appreciates the support from online communities, Sarah cautions about the stress that the internet can bring to fertility patients. “I always tell people to avoid the internet, especially during the two-week wait. You can drive yourself nuts reading about symptoms. It’s far better to lean on people you know and trust.”
Looking Back
Looking back, Sarah has no regrets about her fertility journey, even finding a silver lining. “Although I had to go through more to get pregnant than many of my friends, I got to see my baby as an embryo. That was such an amazing moment and something many parents never experience.”
If you’re looking for more information on starting your own family journey or tips on hiring help, check out this article. For home insemination kits, Cryobaby offers excellent resources. Plus, for reliable guidance on IVF and fertility preservation, Cleveland Clinic’s podcast is a must-listen.
In summary, Sarah and Mike’s IVF experience highlights the hope and joy that can come from assisted reproductive technology. Their journey showcases the importance of education, support, and the potential for future family growth through frozen embryos.