Meet Sarah and Mark, a couple from Farnborough who never thought they would face challenges when trying to start a family. After several months of trying to conceive without success, they began to feel a growing sense of concern. A visit to their GP led to a series of tests, all of which returned normal results, resulting in a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. Determined to become parents, they turned to Wessex Fertility for help. Following one fresh cycle and two frozen rounds of IVF treatment, they are now the proud parents of two wonderful daughters, Emily and Grace.
The Beginning of Their Family Journey
Sarah and Mark tied the knot in 2011 and were excited to begin their family journey. “We were eager to start trying right after our wedding, but things just weren’t happening,” Sarah recalls. After undergoing fertility tests suggested by their GP, they received the disheartening news of unexplained infertility. “It was tough watching others around us celebrate their pregnancies while we felt lost and confused,” Sarah shared. “Not knowing the reason behind our struggles made it even more frustrating. If there’s a specific problem, at least you can work on it, but we had no answers.”
Feeling the need for more support, they sought advice from a private fertility specialist who recommended ovulation induction treatment. “We went through the process, but unfortunately, it didn’t lead to a pregnancy,” Sarah said. Luckily for them, they were approved for NHS funding for IVF and began exploring their options.
Finding Hope at Wessex Fertility
In 2015, Sarah and Mark attended a patient information evening at Wessex Fertility in Southampton. “We hadn’t shared our struggles with anyone, so it felt heavy to keep it all inside. When we arrived, we were anxious, but the consultant’s friendly demeanor immediately put us at ease. Listening to the presentations and a patient’s story, we knew Wessex was the right place for us,” Sarah remembers. They decided to have their NHS-funded IVF cycle at the Basingstoke Clinic, scheduling a consultation with Dr. Emma Johnson. “Finally, we felt like we were speaking with someone who understood us. The warmth was such a refreshing change.”
The IVF Journey
When it came time for Sarah’s egg collection, six eggs were retrieved and successfully fertilized with Mark’s sperm. “We were thrilled to learn that we had five high-quality blastocysts. It gave us so much hope, although we were cautious since we knew not every attempt leads to success,” Sarah recounted. Unfortunately, after the transfer of one embryo, Sarah received a negative pregnancy test two weeks later. “It was heartbreaking. We felt like we had lost something precious. It was odd to go back to work and pretend everything was normal,” she recalled.
After regrouping, Sarah and Mark met with Dr. Johnson for a follow-up appointment. “She suggested we take some time to enjoy ourselves before trying again. We could start a frozen cycle whenever we felt ready.” When they finally regained their motivation, Sarah prepared for the next embryo transfer, opting for additional intralipid infusions and an endometrial scratch. “I was nervous but tried to stay positive,” she said.
The Moment of Joy
Following another two-week wait after the transfer, they went to Southampton for a HCG test conducted by a member of the nursing team, Lucy. After what felt like an eternity, they received the call that changed everything. “Congratulations, you’re pregnant!” Lucy exclaimed. “We couldn’t believe it! We called our families right away, and they were overjoyed!” Sarah reflected. “Wessex offered incredible support during my pregnancy, even scheduling an extra scan at 10 weeks to ease our minds. I practiced yoga and aimed to savor every moment of being pregnant.”
In 2016, Sarah welcomed a beautiful baby girl, fulfilling their long-held dream. “It was surreal. We chose not to find out the sex beforehand, so when Mark cut the cord and said we had a girl, it was a magical moment. We named her Emily in honor of my late grandmother,” Sarah shared.
Expanding Their Family
The couple always envisioned a sibling for Emily, so when she turned two, they decided to try for another child. “This time, we kept it to ourselves. I had been let go from my job during my maternity leave, so staying home helped keep my stress levels down.” After another frozen cycle, they were thrilled to learn they were expecting again. In 2018, Sarah gave birth to another lovely girl, Grace. “It was incredible – we finally had the family we had always dreamed of,” Sarah said. “The staff at Wessex Fertility are phenomenal, making us feel supported every step of the way. It felt like a close-knit family.”
Embracing Parenthood
Now, Sarah and Mark are cherishing every moment with their two little miracles, Emily and Grace.
If you want to read more about families overcoming fertility challenges, you can check out this post about delayed family plans. For those considering home insemination, resources like Make A Mom and Healthline offer great insights into the process.
Conclusion
In summary, Sarah and Mark’s journey through unexplained infertility led them to the supportive environment at Wessex Fertility, where they successfully welcomed two daughters after several IVF attempts. Their story is a testament to the challenges and triumphs faced by couples on similar paths.