My partner and I began our journey to parenthood in December 2020. By August 2021, I was diagnosed with PCOS, which made our path more challenging. Struggling with weight loss, my doctor initially suggested medications like letrozole or clomid, but they recommended I focus on losing weight first. After shedding about 40 pounds, I returned to my doctor in September 2022, nearly two years into our efforts. At that point, she informed me that I was ovulating naturally and didn’t require any medication.
We continued trying naturally for another year, but progress was elusive, and I felt frustrated by the lack of alternatives. In September 2023, we decided to consult a fertility center, eager to take proactive steps. After undergoing an HSG test and a saline sonogram—both of which returned normal results—we learned there were no blockages or polyps. My partner’s semen analysis also came back normal. The fertility clinic suggested we try timed intercourse using letrozole to induce ovulation. We embarked on our first medicated cycle in December 2023, resulting in ovulation, but unfortunately, we did not conceive.
As we contemplated moving on to IUI, a costly option, we thought it prudent to explore one or two more medicated cycles first. During my research, I came across numerous success stories from MakeAmom on social media and decided it was worth a shot. Given that I was already ovulating with the medication, we felt hopeful. MakeAmom offered a more affordable solution for at-home insemination, and to our delight, it worked on the first attempt during our second medicated cycle. We are incredibly grateful for the support from MakeAmom!
If you’re interested in connecting with others on a similar journey, consider joining the MakeAmom Facebook group for free sperm donor matching. For more information about at-home insemination, check out MakeAmom’s website, which features the only reusable option available. You can also learn about the process in detail on their how it works page.
For those researching IUI, you might find it helpful to read more about how intrauterine insemination differs from intracervical insemination, or consult the Cleveland Clinic for authoritative information on the topic. Additionally, if you’re looking for resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit this excellent article.
To Summarize:
After struggling with infertility and exploring various options, we discovered MakeAmom as an affordable alternative to IUI. With their support, we successfully conceived during our second medicated cycle, proving that there are alternative paths to parenthood.