Hey everyone! I want to share my personal journey with frozen embryos and what led me here. My struggle with infertility began when I was just 17. After being diagnosed with endometriosis, I had my first laparoscopy. For a bit, I felt some relief, but soon enough, the symptoms came back. I tried all sorts of alternative treatments, but they only provided temporary relief. As a young woman who dreamed of having children, this was not the life I envisioned.
After numerous surgeries and visits to different specialists, my quality of life started to decline. At first, I was adamant about not wanting a hysterectomy, but after eight surgeries, I changed my mind. I asked my doctor if I could have just my uterus removed, allowing me the chance to still have a biological child. Thankfully, he agreed. The surgery provided temporary relief, but the pain persisted. I had to reevaluate my priorities. I wanted to live, but the pain often left me feeling hopeless, leading me to the tough decision of having my ovaries removed.
In the midst of this, I thought about freezing embryos and reached out to a fertility clinic. I met with Dr. Sarah Adams, who completely transformed my outlook. My partner and I were engaged, and I was on a tight timeline to freeze our embryos before my surgery. We were determined to get it right. We went through one cycle of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and decided to freeze our embryos at the 2PN stage, as suggested by Dr. Adams and her team. This choice was made to enhance their chances of thawing successfully, even if the outcome remained uncertain.
Two weeks later, I underwent the surgery to remove my ovaries. After that, I felt a sense of readiness to move on with my life. My partner and I got engaged and navigated the emotional journey of coming to terms with the fact that I wouldn’t carry our child. During a counseling session with Lisa Cooper, we discussed our options, including the possibility that a gestational cycle might not work. Regardless, we were committed to becoming parents, even if it meant not having a biological child.
Occasionally, I still mourn the idea of being pregnant, but I know I did everything I could. We eventually got married and received an incredible offer from a dear friend who offered to carry our child for us. Her kindness has really restored our faith in humanity.
As we sort out the details, we are grateful for her willingness to support our journey. We plan to transfer some of our embryos to our gestational carrier and are keeping our fingers crossed. Dr. Adams and the entire team have been so supportive, and we look forward to returning when it’s time for our transfer.
To read more about other personal fertility journeys, check out this post on our blog. Also, if you’re looking for quality insemination kits, make sure to visit this link for a great resource. And for those interested in pregnancy and the journey that comes with it, Healthline offers some excellent information.
In summary, my journey with frozen embryos has been filled with challenges and unexpected turns. Through it all, I’ve learned the importance of support, hope, and resilience.