I’ll always remember that pivotal moment in Dr. Johnson’s office in Riverside when he told us, “It’s time to consider IVF.” That was back in 2010. After three unsuccessful IUI attempts, we decided to take a break for about a year to recharge mentally and physically. When we returned in the fall of 2011, we embarked on our first fresh IVF cycle, which turned out to be the best choice we ever made. This journey blessed us with three of our four wonderful daughters, and now we have a fourth baby on the way!
Welcoming Our First Daughter
Right before Thanksgiving in 2011, we discovered we were expecting our daughter, Lily, from that first IVF cycle. We ended up with six viable embryos, so we froze the other five. Lily arrived on July 29, 2012. Just 11 weeks later, we went back to Dr. Johnson to discuss frozen embryo transfer (FET). He probably thought we were a bit eager (but honestly, she was such an easy baby!). Since I had to stop breastfeeding to start the cycle, we decided to wait until Lily turned one.
Our Surprise Baby
To our astonishment, a week after her birthday, we found out we were pregnant again—our “surprise baby,” Emma, who was born in April 2014. In August 2015, we returned for our first FET cycle that welcomed our daughter, Ava, in May 2016.
Moving to Texas
After Ava was born, we moved our family to Texas, but we chose to keep our embryos with Dr. Johnson and stayed under his care. Even from a distance, he and his team worked with us seamlessly. My local OB/GYN in Dallas followed his instructions, and we flew back to Riverside for the actual embryo transfer in November 2017. That transfer gave us our fourth daughter, Mia, who arrived on July 30, 2018. Her birth was bittersweet for us; we learned of Dr. Johnson’s passing two days prior, on Lily’s sixth birthday. We hold immense gratitude for Dr. Johnson’s impact on our family.
Continuing Our Journey
As of Fall 2017, our single fresh IVF cycle has yielded a 100% success rate with transfers (one fresh and two frozen) and healthy pregnancies. Three years later, we returned to Riverside, feeling it was time to expand our family once more. This transfer felt particularly special; the last time we saw Dr. Johnson, he said, “See ya when you’re ready for the next one!” It brings tears to my eyes to remember that moment, but we are grateful to be in the capable hands of Dr. Sara Mills at our familiar Riverside location.
Exciting News Ahead
Learning about our pregnancy was thrilling—we’re ready for this next chapter and can’t wait to welcome this little one. We’ve decided to remain patients until all our embryos have been transferred. 2021 marks a decade with this clinic, and every experience we’ve had with the team has been exceptional. They have supported us every step of the way, and we’ve always felt confident in their guidance. IVF truly changed our lives, and having embryos frozen has turned out to be much less invasive (and more affordable) than going through a fresh cycle again.
A Message to Others
To anyone just starting their journey with infertility, I want to say, “I see you. I understand, and it can be really tough. Infertility is part of your story, even if you are blessed with children.” A verse that gave me strength during those challenging times was, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12).
Finding Support
If you find yourself in a similar situation, I highly recommend seeking out a supportive clinic. They can be your best advocates. Plus, if you’re curious about at-home options, check out our other blog where we discuss expecting again with at-home insemination. You can also find information on the benefits of using an artificial insemination kit at Make a Mom.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bartley family’s journey through IVF showcases how a single fresh cycle can lead to a beautiful family over the years. Their experience highlights the importance of support and the potential for success with frozen embryos.