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Real Patients Share Inspiring Stories of Hope
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Copyright 2013 © Shady Grove Fertility. All rights reserved. To share your story, please visit: www.ShadyGroveFertility.com/share-your-story For more information about infertility treatment or to schedule an appointment, please call 1.866.405.9955.
Shady Grove Fertility
15001 Shady Grove Road, Suite 110 • Rockville, MD 21201 1.866.405.9955 • www.ShadyGroveFertility.com
Seeds of 20 Paths
Positive Hope to
Real Patients Share Inspiring StoriesStories of Hope Inspirational
from Real Patients Overcoming Infertility
Shady Grove Fertility Copyright 2013 Shady Grove Fertility Center
Contents
Introduction Sharing Hope, One Story at a Time................................ 2 Patient Stories 1. Alice............................................................................ 4 2. Sara............................................................................. 6 3. Jennifer...................................................................... 8 4. Heather....................................................................... 11 5. Lani............................................................................. 12 6. Jendy.......................................................................... 14 7. Kerry........................................................................... 16 8. Megan........................................................................ 18 9. Melissa........................................................................ 20 10. Chrysta....................................................................... 22 11. Andrea........................................................................ 24 12. Rachel......................................................................... 26 13. Lynsey......................................................................... 30 14. Maria.......................................................................... 32 15. Renee.......................................................................... 34 16. Aimee.......................................................................... 36 17. Tiffany........................................................................ 38 18. Shavon........................................................................ 40 19. Jeremy........................................................................ 42 20. Marilyn....................................................................... 45 iv
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
Introduction
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Intro
Sharing hope, one story at a time By Patty Stull
Diagnosis: Male factor Treatment: IVF
20 Paths to Positive was written for patients by patients to offer strength, hope and inspiration to those still on the path toward parenthood. Patty Stull, Shady Grove Fertility former patient and current employee.
Pregnancy and parenthood is
But it is the persistence part that
something most women and men
can be difficult — physically,
assume will happen; infertility is
psychologically and financially. The
not. After all, there are children and
emotional ups and downs that
families everywhere and no one
accompany negative pregnancy
really talks about infertility, so why
tests, mechanical lovemaking or daily
would we assume otherwise?
shots of medication is enough to make even the optimists cry. As time
But the facts are indisputable;
passes, it can be hard to be hopeful
infertility is a disease and one in eight
and not give up. For those who have
trying to start a family will experience
been on the road for a while, it can
challenges. Thankfully, the vast
feel like too much to bear.
majority will require only simple
"I know this story because I lived it. I still remember vividly what it felt like to wonder if I would ever become a mother."
intervention while others may need
I know this story because I lived
more advanced treatments such as
it. I still remember vividly what it
IVF or egg donation, or they might
felt like to wonder if I would ever
require more specialized services
become a mother. Those five long
such as Preimplantation Genetic
years included multiple doctors,
Diagnosis (PGD) or Gestational
miscarriages and what seemed
Carrier. Despite its prevalence, it
like endless treatments before my
is important to know that infertility
husband and I finally landed at the
can be overcome with appropriate
oasis of Shady Grove Fertility. It was
treatment and persistence.
here that we gained strength from
Patty’s children.
their staff, hope from the results and trust borne out of an endless supply of compassion. Through them we found the support we needed to persist. We had our family. Mine is one story, but the stories are endless. Each person’s experience is unique, though we all share a common bond — the desire to have a baby and build a family. We believe these first-hand accounts of triumph over infertility will make you laugh, even cry, but mostly find comfort in the fact that you are not alone.
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20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
Patient Stories
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Alice
Alice’s story: a FairyTale ending Diagnosis: PCOS Treatment: IUI
Ever since I was little – six to be exact – I dreamed of getting married, having babies and living happily ever after. Everything was falling into place so nicely. I met my husband when we were both still in high school and we were head over heels in love. I knew he was the one. All my life I struggled with irregular
Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Once
periods. When I was 13, the OB/
the tests came back, she sat me
GYN I was seeing put me on birth
down and told me my diagnosis.
infertility is defined as 12 months of
control to regulate them. When my
She said “You have PCOS and there
unprotected intercourse
husband, Todd, and I got married,
is a chance you won’t be able to
without conception.
I stopped my birth control so we
have a child.” At that moment my
could try to have a baby right away.
fairytale fell apart.
fertility fact For women under 35,
For women over 35, infertility is defined as six months of unprotected intercourse without conception.
We were young, so in love and just couldn’t wait to be parents.
Alice’s Fertility Diagnosis After stopping my birth control, I knew something was very wrong. My periods were all over the place and I would bleed for months without
Alice, Todd and their baby.
“She sat me down and told me my diagnosis. She said ‘You have PCOS and there is a chance you won’t be able to have a child.’”
stopping. My OB/GYN chalked it
Getting Back On Track
up to my body trying to regulate its
When we made the decision to see a
hormones after stopping the birth
fertility specialist, we had been trying
control. So after about a year or so,
to get pregnant on our own for almost
I went to see my doctor and she
five years. We waited so long to seek
ran several tests. I had already been
help for a number of reasons. Our
researching online for what it could
concerns revolved around our lack
be, so I knew a lot about Polycystic
of knowledge on fertility treatment, financial worries and our age. At the point when we finally decided get help, we were only 24. I had listened so much to people and doctors telling me “you’re so young, just wait, don’t rush it.”At the same time in the back of my mind I knew I needed help. After five years, it just wasn’t working. We had decided to schedule a consultation and official diagnostic testing because that’s all our insurance would cover, or so we thought...
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20 paths to a positive: positive: Real Real Patients patients Share share Inspiring inspiring stories stories ofof hope hope
hope that it would be a birthday gift
face, looking back I wish I had. We
Dr. Jeffrey McKeeby was in January
I would never forget. I still decided
sat on the phone in shock and almost
2011. Dr. McKeeby’s confidence
not to test at home. I started to get
disbelief. Our fairytale wasn’t over.
was so wonderful. He gave us such
cramping and had no pregnancy
It had just begun.
peace that everything would work
symptoms, so I had already told
out fine. He gave us a list of tests to
people my IUI failed and cried
Happily Ever After
have completed. We did all of them,
about it.
and in the time between our first
As I sit here, I have a beautiful, healthy 14-month old boy running
appointment and second, I found
The day I went for my beta
around me, playing, dancing and
out I had full coverage insurance
bloodwork, I was annoyed and
laughing. He is more than we could
on fertility treatments. It was a huge
sad because I knew it was going
have hoped for or dreamed of.
surprise and blessing for us because
to be negative. My nurse, Jackie,
He was worth the wait. We are so
it meant we could move forward
called me later that day and I can
incredibly blessed. Hopefully very
without any financial worry.
quote her voicemail to you without
soon we will be back to Shady
even listening to it. “Hi Alice, this
Grove Fertility so we can give our
At our second appointment
is Jackie. I have wonderful news,”
son a brother or sister.
Dr. McKeeby confirmed that I had
at this point my jaw was wide
PCOS, but he also mentioned
open and I had tears streaming,
my husband had a borderline
“your test today was positive.
morphology problem in his
Congratulations!” I still have the
semen analysis. Dr. McKeeby was
voicemail saved on my phone. I
confident that IUI with Clomid
couldn’t believe it. I was in such
would be our best option. So we
shock, I called her back right
decided to go for it. During our first
away and asked her to review and
round of IUI, I was skeptical. But
make sure it was really me and not
things seemed to be going well
someone else. In that moment my
and I was hopeful afterwards.
life was changed.
“Dr. McKeeby was confident that IUI with Clomid would be our best option.”
I couldn’t wait to tell my husband,
Alice
Our first appointment with
“Our fairytale wasn’t over. It had just begun.” My advice to others who are going through their own issues with infertility – go to Shady Grove Fertility and don’t get discouraged! God has the perfect plan and timing for you. Try to focus on the positives and never give up, it will all be worth it in the end. You have to go through the rain to get to the rainbow.
so I called him at work. He thought I was just joking, he wouldn’t believe it either. I couldn’t wait to see his Alice’s baby boy.
I decided not to test at home and when the call came in that my beta was negative, I was heartbroken and discouraged. I wanted to just hurry up and move on with the next IUI. That’s exactly what we did. The next cycle was not as promising as the first. We had less eggs and less sperm. But the IUI was done on my 25th birthday and I was holding out
Shady Grove Fertility
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Sara
Sara’s story: An angel looking over us Diagnosis: Unexplained Treatment: IUI
Our journey began shortly after I met my husband, Paul. I was working a full-time job and going to school full-time when I decided to get a second job. It was then that I met my husband. We immediately fell in love. Shortly after, I found out that I was pregnant. We were living in an apartment and
and I was wrong. I don’t care what
be able to have children. I watched
our full-time jobs were mediocre,
anyone says, infertility can strain
TV shows about births and cried. I
but we were excited to have a baby.
a relationship. However, it can
would attend baby showers and cry
After 10 weeks gestation, I had
also make it stronger. After the
afterwards. Sometimes envy would
miscarried — we lost our baby
miscarriage and the full year of
get the better of me, but I made sure
in February.
trying, I fell deeper in love with my
that I never let anyone see that. If
husband. After the year of trying,
someone told me they “accidentally”
After the miscarriage, we decided
we decided to go to Shady Grove
got pregnant, I would show them
we would focus on us to make sure
Fertility. We had heard so many
the same amount of joy that I would
that the next baby would have a
success stories from friends that we
before my infertility. However, when
better shot. I went back to school to
decided to give it a shot.
I went home, I would talk about it
get my MBA, he proposed, we were married, we bought a house and then he finished up his Bachelor’s degree. Two months before our wedding, we decided to start trying
“Every month when we thought I was pregnant and I wasn’t — was hard.”
I would stay in my room, crawl under the covers and cry.
A difficult answer
to have a baby again. After we had
Paul was supportive and caring;
After the testing, we found out it was
been trying for a year, we decided to
however, this was also hard on him.
unexplained — my husband was fine
seek out help. That year started the
I had to make sure that this process
and they didn’t know why I could not
most difficult journey of our lives.
was not just about me, it was
get pregnant. For the first month of
about us. I had to let him have his
treatment, Dr. Howard McClamrock
moments. I had to be the rock every
gave me a round of Clomid and we
once in a while. I fully believe that
had timed intercourse.
Fertility fact Approximately 10% of infertility is unexplained.
communication brought us through 10%
this. There were nights where we would talk about it, and some nights where we would just go out and have fun. Our lives couldn’t revolve around having a baby. We had to
Our Fertility Journey That first year was difficult on
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with my husband. If he wasn’t home,
make sure we were focusing on our relationship as well.
both of us. Every month when
As a female, it was especially difficult
we thought I was pregnant and I
because you were taught that it was
wasn’t — was hard. I would swear
part of your gender role to have
I was feeling pregnancy symptoms
children. I wondered if I would ever
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
Now, for someone that has not taken Clomid, they don’t know the experience. My husband and I like to refer to that week as the “Hulk Week.” I’m not sure what was in the medication, but I would get MAD at anything. Not just a little mad. I was “HULK” mad. At the time everything was a big deal, but now, not as much. That month, when I had ovulated, they told us to go home and have
Sara
said I wanted to wait. We both went to sleep. When I woke up in the morning, I secretly took the pregnancy test. For some reason, I didn’t want to let my husband get upset twice. And can you believe that a faint positive line showed up? I ran into the bedroom, jumped on
“We found out it was unexplained — my husband was fine and they didn’t know why I could not get pregnant.”
scheduled the IUI. After the IUI was
the bed and screamed to wake him
done and I was lying on the table, I
up. I yelled “I’M PREGNANT!” His
talked out loud to my egg and my
first words were “I TOLD YOU!”
husband’s sperm, saying “Please, give me a baby. All I want is to be pregnant. All I want is to give my husband a baby. Please. I’ll be the
After that, we had a series of sonograms where we both would cry. We heard the heartbeat, we saw the baby move — it was the
a night of “fun.” I don’t care what
best mom. Please.”
anyone tells you, sex just isn’t as fun
The Final Test
amazing pregnancy, and even when
After the two weeks, I swore I was
I was huge and uncomfortable, I
not pregnant, as I had no symptoms.
reminded myself of this journey
After 13 months of trying, you start
and remained grateful.
when you are being told you HAVE to do it. But, we did it and waited. After two weeks, we waited for the results. We were due to get that call on our one year anniversary. Unfortunately, when we received the call, we learned we were not pregnant. At first, we decided to mope. We were lying in bed and decided to cancel our dinner plans. That day, I went out to the mailbox and picked up the mail. I’m not sure if someone was giving us the
best time of our lives. I had an
to doubt that you can ever get pregnant. My husband remained
Today, I am happy to tell you that
faithful that this time worked. So, a
we had a baby boy on February
day before the blood test, we were
18, 2013. We had this baby in the
having a discussion about whether
same month we lost our first. We
I was pregnant or not. I told my
fully believe that the first baby was
husband that it didn’t work. So, he
looking over us. To couples who are
went out and bought a pregnancy
going through the same journey, my
test. Because I was stubborn, I
best advice is to not let envy take over and stay positive.
Sara’s baby boy.
message to get up or what, but there was a $300 gift card in the stack. I ran in and told my husband that we are going out no matter what. We said we wouldn’t talk about the negative test or think about it. A month later I asked Dr. McClamrock to move me to the next step. This time, he decided to give me Clomid and some other medication that needed to be injected. We then
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JennIfer
JennIfer’S Story: hope throUgh donor Sperm Diagnosis: Male Factor
TreaTmenT: IuI WItH donor SPerM
Mike and I met as undergraduates at Gettysburg College. We married shortly after I graduated, both of us deciding to pursue graduate degrees before we started a family. We raised guide dogs, enjoyed traveling, and going to the theater. We both got jobs in higher education and bought a beautiful house with a huge yard. fertIlIty faCt 25% of all IuI cycles at Shady Grove Fertility use donated sperm.
25%
We both wanted a family, no
sperm count. We were devastated
questions. We thought three or four
when we got the results. The
children, a few dogs, and a nice
doctors told us we were dealing
house close to the grandparents
with severe male factor infertility.
sounded great. We wanted to share
They pulled out brochures about
all of the wonderful memories we
IVF telling us that my husbands
had from our own childhoods and
count was so low, that IVF with ICSI
start creating our own traditions.
was probably our only chance to conceive. I was 26 and my husband
Once we had all the things
28. We never thought two young
you’re “supposed” to have to be
people would be dealing with
responsible parents, we decided
anything like this.
to start trying. But a year went by, and nothing happened. We went to the doctor who performed the routine first tests — bloodwork, hysterosalpingogram (HSG) and Jennifer and family.
“the doctors told us we were dealing with severe male factor infertility.” stArting treAtment Fertility treatments were hard. After our initial consult with Dr. Melissa Esposito, we were hopeful that IVF with ICSI would be the solution since we were only dealing with male factor issues. At the time, I worked in the state of Maryland and my insurance covered three IVF attempts per live birth. So we jumped right in. I remember our injection class vividly. My husband is terrified of needles and was sweating bullets when they said he had to practice on me. I didn’t think he’d be able to do it, but he was a champ. He gave me my
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20 paths to a positive: positive: Real Real patients patients shaRe shaRe inspiRing inspiRing stoRies stoRies ofof hope hope
there was always a risk it was ectopic
knew it would most likely take more
places too! During our third attempt,
or could be dangerous, and that we
than once cycle, and were surprised
we won tickets to see J.K. Rowling
would need to end it.
when we found out we were
in NYC and we were in a stimulation
pregnant after the first one!
cycle. Based on the time of day, we
To say we were devastated is
had to do the injection, so we ended
probably the worst understatement
up doing it in the car at a New Jersey
ever. I cried for hours. I screamed. I
bus terminal parking lot!
understood the situation, but it just wasn’t fair — that I had finally gotten
“In the end, an IUI with donor sperm was the most cost-effective option.”
The hormones were rough, but we
what I’d worked so hard for and now
kept a good sense of humor. Every
I was being told I had to end it. I told
Once again, though, there was a
time I went for an egg retrieval and
the nurse I wished the test had been
slight hiccup. When I went for my
it was time for Mike to go do his part
negative, because this was far worse.
six-week ultrasound, the doctor
I’d tell him, “Have fun!” The doctors always laughed. Our first two attempts failed. People around me were getting pregnant left and right, and
“To say we were devastated is probably the worst understatement ever.”
told me that she couldn’t see all the structures that were supposed to be there. She told us it was a 50/50 chance the pregnancy would be viable. I went home and cried. I couldn’t believe this was happening
we were devastated every time
I was numb the day I went in for
again. I was inconsolable this time,
we heard about someone else
the methotrexate injection. I
refusing to speak to anyone.
getting a positive. We heard all the
sobbed uncontrollably the whole
Dr. Esposito called my husband that
stereotypical responses: just relax,
time I was there. It was my last
evening when she found out what
stop trying, put your legs over your
attempt, and we had failed.
happened at my appointment. She
head after sex. I blew up at my mom
An unexpected Solution
told him to be sure to tell me that
once. She was trying to help, and she hugged me and said, “I know.” It was
she didn’t agree. She said that this
Without insurance to cover
was not an exact science, and that
a typical mom response. I screamed
treatment, we couldn’t pursue any
she felt sure that the next ultrasound
my frustrations at her. “Don’t say
more options. We just didn’t have
would look perfect — and it did! I
that! You don’t know! You’ve never
the resources. So we took some
was finally pregnant and never so
been through any of this!”
time off to think about what our next
happy in my life.
steps might be. It was a year later
Achieving Our Dreams
Our third attempt gave us brief hope, as I had a positive home test three times. I was sure this was it.
when we finally decided to look into donor sperm.
I am thankful every day to the doctors at Shady Grove Fertility
The first bloodwork came back —
My husband was open to the idea
for helping us achieve our dream
positive, but low. I was told we were
from the start. It didn’t matter to us
of having a family. My daughter
to be “cautiously optimistic.” That’s
how we created a family, just that
turns four in August, and I just
virtually impossible for anyone who’s
we created one. In the end, an IUI
can’t believe how fast the last
ever had trouble getting pregnant.
with donor sperm was the most
few years have gone by. She’s an
After three more tests, we were told
cost-effective option. So we looked
amazing, headstrong, confident and
the numbers weren’t where they
at Fairfax Cryobank, picked out a
independent little girl. My husband
should be and the pregnancy was
donor, and bought two vials. We
says that when they put her on my
probably not viable. More than that,
Jennifer
injections every day — in some odd
chest when she was born, I looked Shady Grove Fertility
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Jennifer
like I had just won the lottery. Everyone tells us how much she looks like me, and funny enough,
Fertility fact
how much she looks like my husband. We spend a lot of time
Women in their 30s who have
with our family and friends, and she
unprotected sex only have about
makes everyone laugh. When we
a 15% chance of conceiving
started fertility treatments, I said I
each month. On average, couples
would be content with just one, and
take eight months to get a
we are. She’s perfect and we finally
positive pregnancy test.
have the family we always wanted. I would tell others going through
Jennifer’s little girl.
fertility treatment that there is no “perfect” way to create a family. I’ve heard so many people say “if its meant to be, it will,” and that’s fine, but for me, it was more about “do I Jennifer and her baby.
feel like I was meant to be a mom?” The answer was always "Yes" — it didn’t matter how that happened. You never think that infertility will affect you. I think its a shame that the only time you hear about it when you’re young is the result of having unsafe sex. Infertility is a medical condition, not a punishment. There isn’t a whole lot of rhyme or reason to it, and you find out pretty fast that a lot more people deal with some form of infertility than you ever imagined. People ask us if we’ll tell our daughter how she was conceived, and our answer is yes, of course. I want her to know that families are made in a lot of different ways, but that doesn’t make one better than another. And to know that there are generous people out there, like the man who donated his sperm, willing to help people having trouble. I will
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20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
“I want her to know that families are made in a lot of different ways, but that doesn’t make one better than another.” always be grateful to him and I know there are other families who are too. Most importantly, I would tell others not to relax — it can’t be done — but to try to have fun. Your relationship can grow through the process and you can learn to laugh at it, but its very hard while you’re going through it. Timing sex, taking temperatures and monitoring bodily functions is about as unromantic as it gets, so you have to remember to just be with each other. Do things you like to do and remember that sex will be fun again — I promise.
Diagnosis: PCOS Treatment: IVF
Heather
heather’s story: From employee to patient
After six years of dating, I married my high school sweetheart, Sonny! We always knew we wanted to have kids soon after marriage — we just did not know it would be so difficult. I just thought, “We’re young and healthy — it will happen.” So we started trying, and after 90
We transferred one perfect embryo
days without a period and probably
on May 1, 2012 and had another
$60 spent in pregnancy tests, I
two perfect embryos frozen. I
realized something was wrong. So I
loved hearing that phone call
had bloodwork done with my OB/
from Dr. Kipersztok, “Heather
GYN, and was diagnosed with PCOS.
you have beautiful embryos!” My
“It was also nice to share my journey closely with patients, and I have made lots of friends in the process.”
I had heard of PCOS before and
husband told me not to do a home
at that point I knew that becoming
pregnancy test, but I couldn’t
My best advice to others is first
parents was not going to be as easy
resist! I had taken tons of these
as we had planned. I had just started
tests before but I had never seen
working in Shady Grove Fertility’s
that second pink line… until then.
Waldorf, MD office with Dr. Simon
After our nearly two-year infertility
Kipersztok in April 2011, and by
journey… I was PREGNANT! We
August, not only was I an employee,
had an ultrasound at six weeks
but a patient as well!
and saw that beautiful flutter which
“Not only was I an employee, but a patient as well”
indicated a healthy heartbeat!
to not be afraid to get help — you are not alone! I didn’t realize how many of us were out there — no one can help if you don’t reach out. Second, know that the annoying tests, injections, ultrasounds, etc., are all temporary. They are getting you closer to becoming a mommy! Third,
Our Shady Grove Fertility Miracle
remember that you and your
In January 2013, our dream of
Fighting the infertility battle with
Transitioning through Treatment
becoming parents came true!
my husband made us so much
I delivered a healthy 8.4 lb. baby
Dr. Kipersztok started me on Clomid,
closer than we already were.
boy! Cohen is the spitting image
but after two unsuccessful cycles,
Lastly, don’t give up!
of his daddy. His smiles and coos
we decided to transition to IVF.
are enough to melt my heart!
Dr. Kipersztok had given us only a 10%
He truly is our little Shady Grove
success rate with timed intercourse
Fertility miracle.
or IUI cycles and a 50% success rate
partner are in this together.
Heather’s little boy, Cohen.
with IVF. I was intimidated by the
There are no words to describe
whole process and injections at first,
our gratitude to Dr. Kipersztok,
but my nurse, Sarah, was an awesome
Sarah, and the entire Shady Grove
cheerleader! Our first IVF cycle
Fertility staff! I believe being an
was unsuccessful. It was a terrible
employee at Shady Grove Fertility
disappointment. Dr. Kipersztok
was helpful because I had an overall
remained very confident that we
understanding of the process. It was
would become pregnant, saying that
also nice to share my journey closely
we learn something from each cycle.
with patients, and I have made lots
Sonny and I decided to roll straight
of friends in the process!
into a second IVF cycle. Shady Grove Fertility
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Lani
Lani’s Story: The Answer Seemed Obvious Diagnosis: Male Factor Treatment: IVF
My husband and I first met at a company event — we had an instant connection. We were both already in our mid-20s, living on our own with established careers, but we were both looking for something more. A year later we were married and we began trying to conceive shortly after our August 2010 wedding. Our goal was to start our family before turning 30. Due to my Lupus — which was diagnosed in 2009 — and my irregular cycles, we thought we might have some trouble. We had no idea! fertility fact Since the inception of the
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Program in 1991 more than
30,000 babies have been
Finding Answers
a carrier for Cystic Fibrosis, which
In April 2012, after trying to conceive
left us wondering if we should even
and having no periods for over 18
proceed with the risks associated.
months, we were referred to Shady
Luckily, Gary isn’t a carrier, so our risk
Grove Fertility. We were almost
was eliminated.
certain that the cause was on my
The Road to Baby
born as a result of treatment at
end, since it had been years since my
Shady Grove Fertility.
last cycle. We were both tested and it turns out my problems were just the after-effects of years of Depo-Provera birth control. My husband, Gary, was diagnosed with male fertility factor. At the same time, we found out I am
Lani and Gary’s wedding day.
We were shocked to find out that our first and only option was IVF. We thought we would get to try the low-tech options, like intrauterine insemination, first and then move onto IVF if necessary. A little skeptical at pursuing fertility treatments at our age, we already had a plan set out to try and work our way up the treatment scale. However, due to the severity of our male factor infertility, IVF was our only option. I think it took a few days for the news to sink in, but Dr. Jeffrey McKeeby and our nurse Jackie were fantastic and addressed all of our concerns.
"We already had a plan set out to try and work our way up the treatment scale. However, due to the severity of our male factor infertility, IVF was our only option." 1212
20 paths to a positive: positive: Real Real Patients patients Share share Inspiring inspiring stories stories ofof hope hope
rates, we never expected IVF to
going to pay for such a procedure.
work on the first try! Our six-week
Soon after meeting with our financial
and eight-week scans showed a
counselor, Darlene, we found out
developing baby, and we graduated
great news. Recently, I started a new
in our eighth week.
job that offered a new insurance plan. I assumed I wouldn’t have any coverage for IVF treatment but quickly learned my new job covered 90% of IVF treatment and all associated bills – we were so excited to be able to start the treatment we needed to have a baby. We began our IVF journey in the fall
“Our six-week and eight-week scans showed a developing baby, and we graduated in our eighth week.” The Light at the End of the Tunnel just over half way there to the birth
Not only did it produce eggs when
of our baby girl. We are so excited
prompted, I over stimulated. I would
about our blessing and the journey
be lying if I said it wasn’t painful
we have shared. We look forward to
and uncomfortable at times, but
returning to Shady Grove Fertility in a
in retrospect, it was totally worth
couple of years to continue building
it. Weeks of daily shots turned into
our family. Having gone through so
months of shots, as my progesterone
much to become pregnant, I always
had to be switched to injections.
tell others struggling with infertility to
bled, but the bonding between my husband and I was amazing. It became our daily ritual. Our transfer was December 14th and the next two weeks were agony waiting for
fertility Fact While mostly discussed as a female problem, 50% of infertility cases are in part male factor — with 40%
solely male factor and an
additional 10% combined female and male infertility.
We are currently 21 weeks along,
of 2012 and my body overachieved!
The shots hurt and sometimes
Lani
Next, we wondered how we were
not give up or assume anything. Seek out the help of an expert. We were
Combination
Unexplained
10% 10%
40% Female Factor
40% Male Factor
totally wrong about what was causing our infertility, even though the answer seemed obvious. Lani’s ultrasound.
our beta results. Luckily the holidays provided some distraction during the dreaded “two week wait.” A few days before New Year’s, I was at work when I got the call from Jackie. She started right off with “Congratulations.” I’m pretty sure my co-workers heard me shout with excitement two offices over. I called Gary right away to tell him the news. Again, we were in shock, even given Shady Grove Fertility’s great success
Shady Grove Fertility
13
Jendy
Jendy’s story: Well Worth the Ride Diagnosis: Ovulatory Disorder/Recurrent pregnancy loss (Thyroid) Treatment: IVF
My husband and I dated for six years before we got married in August 2006 at age 26 and 24, respectively. We both know we definitely wanted to have a family someday, but we wanted to enjoy married life and life after college first. We spent three years traveling and spending time with friends and family before thinking more seriously about starting a family. While on vacation in July 2009, I
Searching for Answers
disappointment, and endless
literally woke up one morning and
After three months with no period, I
feelings of “Why us?”
decided I was finally ready for kids. I
made an appointment with my OB/
stopped taking my birth control that
GYN. He ordered some blood tests
morning and figured I’d be pregnant
which revealed I had a hyperthyroid
in a month, just like all of our friends.
and could easily be treated. As I
A month went by and I didn’t get my
moved from hyper to hypothyroid, I
period, so I took a pregnancy test
waited for my period to come... but it
and was shocked with a negative
never did. Even after three months of
result! Thinking my body was still
being stabilized on medication and
adjusting to stopping the birth
a year after stopping birth control,
control, I patiently waited and
I NEVER got my first period. That’s
tested every now and then.
when I was referred to Dr. Melissa Esposito at Shady Grove Fertility.
Jendy and her husband.
By this point, all our friends were having babies (some were on their second child), which was so unbelievably painful for me. We only told our parents about our struggles with infertility, so all of our friends and co-workers thought we still “just weren’t ready.” Friends would complain to me about morning sickness, swollen ankles, and aching backs. I wanted so badly to scream at them! What I wouldn’t give to
My husband and I spent two years
have those complaints! I would walk
trying everything under the sun
through stores and nearly burst
before finally committing to IVF.
into tears walking past the diapers
We just wanted to make sure
because I wanted so badly to be
we had explored all our options.
buying them. While we tried not to
We tried two cycles of Ovulation
think about it too much, there was
Induction (OI) with timed intercourse
always that little reminder in the
followed by three cycles of OI
back of our heads that our family
with IUI, all of which we could do
wasn’t complete, and for the first
at home. We gave the all-natural
time in my life, there was nothing I
“NaPRO” method a shot, as well
could do about it.
as “unconventional” OI cycles with IUI and timed intercourse. We had to skip right over oral ovulation-stimulating medications due to my diagnosis... my body doesn’t produce Gonadotropin Release Hormone. We went through disappointment after
14
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
“By this point, all our friends were having babies (some were on their second child), which was so unbelievably painful for me.”
ready for the frozen transfer.
I would encourage anyone
We finally decided to pull the
Dr. Esposito recommended
struggling with infertility to seek out
trigger on IVF. On January 2, 2012,
transferring only one embryo, and
someone who is going through the
I had my baseline ultrasound and
the first one thawed was 98% viable!
same (or a relatively similar) situation
started injections soon after. My
Two unbearably long weeks later, we
—whether it’s someone you meet
body responded perfectly to the
had the nurse call my husband with
through Shady Grove Fertility’s
injections, just as it had for the IUI
my beta result. He kept it a secret
website or Facebook page, an
cycles. Finally it was time for trigger
until I got home from work... It was
infertility website, a support group,
and retrieval. Lupron was chosen
POSITIVE! Sometimes I still can’t
or even someone you already
to minimize my risk of Ovarian
believe it!
know. I felt very alone during the
Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
Success at Last
IVF experience. The only person I
since my ovaries had grown so large. I remember after my retrieval at the Rockville, MD surgery center, still groggy from the anesthesia, when the doctor came out and said the Lupron didn’t work. The eggs had not released, which happens in about 2% of patients. I was devastated and petrified at the thought of using hCG, but I had no choice.
“We finally decided to pull the trigger on IVF.” So three days later, we went back to Rockville following an hCG trigger and had a successful retrieval. We headed home and anxiously awaited the embryo report phone call daily. Everything was looking good, except for my condition. I was so sick from OHSS, and, with ovaries the size of baseballs, we were told on Day 5 that I wouldn’t be able to have a fresh transfer. Our viable embryos were frozen, and we (along with Dr. Esposito) decided to wait before attempting
Our daughter, Ella Hope, was born via c-section on January 4, 2013, exactly one year and two days after we started the entire IVF process. I truly realize without a doubt how lucky we are that I got pregnant on the first attempt, and that not everyone is that lucky. The care we received from Dr. Esposito, my nurse, Allison, and all the doctors and nurses we saw throughout the cycle was impeccable. Everyone was caring and compassionate, yet still
Jendy
The Last Straw
had to talk to was my husband and vice versa. Let’s face it, men and women just don’t have the exact same feelings, and there is only so much you can say to one person. Definitely talk to your partner first and foremost, but try to find another outlet. Lastly, never give up hope. There is a plan. While it may not be clear why right now, you are riding this infertility roller coaster for a reason, and the outcome makes the ride well worth it!
Jendy's baby, Ella Hope.
professional. In addition to the care at Shady Grove Fertility, my OB/ GYN office in State College, Mount Nittany Physician Group, was also absolutely wonderful! I was able to do most of the monitoring at my OB office, which saved us numerous three-hour trips to Maryland. My life is absolutely perfect right now!
“I was able to do most of the monitoring at my OB office, which saved us numerous three-hour trips to Maryland.”
a transfer so my body could fully
I couldn’t ask for more... except
recover. In April 2012, I was finally
maybe another baby soon.
Shady Grove Fertility
15
Kerry
Kerry’S Story: the Plan that fIt Diagnosis: oVulatory dISorder
TreaTmenT: IVF
When I was a young teenager I was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Basically it’s when the body has a low platelet count — it’s an autoimmune issue and one bleeds a lot — the blood doesn’t clot. It’s more common in adults to see this as a prolonged issue so there was some uncertainty on how to treat me. In fact my platelet counts were so
office wasn’t open so they would
huge as in seven kids and a ton of
low that my specialists labeled me
have to drive me an hour away to
rescue dogs! When I started dating
a medical miracle. They had rarely
get treatments.
my husband I expressed this to
seen counts so low in a functioning,
him. It didn’t scare him… unless he
healthy person. Years of infusions
My poor mother would sit with
and steroids were finally concluded
me every month during my
when I had my spleen removed.
gammaglobulin infusions for an
wilD riDe
Because of this disease, it interfered
average of eight hours. After this
The week we got married, we started
with my menstrual cycle causing
exhilarating day together, in a
trying to conceive and a year later we
very late periods and strong
gorgeous 4'x4' white room watching
were still not pregnant — I was barely
concerns by numerous doctors that
nothing but bad TV, she had the
27. I knew based on my medical
I would not be able to conceive
pleasure of holding my hair while I
history that this would be a challenge
(on my own anyway.)
threw up every five minutes on our
so we started seeking help shortly
hour long drive back home. She did
thereafter. This would be the first of
If ever there was a time I knew I
this all with a smile as if there was
many “tries.”
would be a great parent it was then.
no other place she would rather be.
My parents made huge sacrifices
How could I fail as a parent with her
to keep me healthy, safe and
as my role model?
happy. Our weeks would easily be
thought I was teasing.
It was a wild ride of raw emotions. You truly learn about your strength, will, faith and the bond your
consumed with daily doctor visits
None of this stopped me from
marriage has. I didn’t know anyone
including weekends when our local
dreaming of having a huge family...
at the time to help guide me
Kerry and her husband Steve.
through this insanity of emotions. After a year, my doctor put me on Clomid for six months before suggesting we see a specialist. After that didn’t work we didn’t have the finances to pursue our dreams of starting a family so once again babies were on hold.
1616
20 paths to a positive: positive: Real Real patients patients shaRe shaRe inspiRing inspiRing stoRies stoRies ofof hope hope
“It was a wild ride of raw emotions. you truly learn about your strength, will, faith and the bond your marriage has.”
else? No discussion, no convincing.
Also make sure your partner
in a stable place so we reached out
Man, I married a good one! I went
understands what is about to happen
to Shady Grove Fertility. We did six
through a round of IVF and found
and what your body will be going
rounds of IUI and then one round
out May 6 that I was pregnant. Now
through. This process is so stressful
of IVF. After two years, I finally got
I am anxiously waiting to hear a
and can make or break a relationship
pregnant with twins! My girls were
heartbeat in the next week or two.
if there is not full support.
born in December of 2008; big,
Life Now
I can’t say that it will happen through
Now we have four-year-old twin
Ready FOR MORE
treatments whether you use IUI or
girls and one (or two) on the way.
IVF, but that might not be your path.
Steve, my husband, and I were
After working away from the home
You will be a mom but it might be
complete with the family and home
for about a year, we decided to
another way: foster, adoption, using
we created. We felt blessed that we
make a huge sacrifice so I could stay
a surrogate.
finally received our girls and kissed
home. I used to teach at the local
having a big family goodbye.
community college, but now am a
But believe. Just keep believing.
full-time stay at home Mom and
God has a plan that is fit for
love it!
you, so believe in that.
healthy and strong.
However in the summer of 2010 I
Kerry
By 2005, we found our lives to be
found out I was pregnant! WHAT! The bittersweet pain of this was I found out the same day I lost it. I suffered a severe, near-fatal ectopic pregnancy resulting in the removal of my right tube.
“Now we have four-yearold twin girls and one (or two) on the way.” I blog avidly about my life with
Check out Kerry's blog New2Two at
www.new2two.com
twins, including a weekly segment Was this our sign that we weren’t
called Fertility Friday at New2Two.
meant to have that big obnoxious
This is for me, and I’ve kept my
family that takes up the entire
sanity reaching out to other moms.
aisle at Wal-Mart trying to find the
My blog allows me to share some
best deal on toothpaste? We just
advice with other couples struggling
couldn’t shake the feeling that we
with infertility. I always try to reach
should give it one more go.
out to someone who has gone
After another two years of trying
through this and bond with them.
and not getting pregnant, I
What I emphasize in my blog is,
prepped for a long conversation,
you will feel like you are going
equipped with 10 bullet points
crazy and it might take a long time,
of why we should try again. I was
but don’t give up. At the end of
ready to pounce on a tired Steve
each unsuccessful treatment, allow
when he walked in the door.
yourself to scream and cry and have
Prep and points ruined when I started with “Steve, I want more kids” and his response was “me too.” What? That was it, nothing
Kerry and her family.
the best pity party in the world, but the next day pick yourself up and move on. It can’t happen if you aren’t making it happen.
Shady Grove Fertility
17
Megan
megan’s story: Persistence is key Diagnosis: Unexplained / Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Treatment: IVF
Before we started trying to get pregnant, everything was great. We had been married a little over a year and never thought we would have any trouble getting pregnant. We were both healthy individuals without any known issues that would inhibit us from getting pregnant. fertility fact A Frozen Embryo
Transfer (FET) is often a good choice over another fresh
Starting the Journey
very excited to finally have some
After a year of trying to get pregnant
good news. I continued to have
on our own and with the use of
my beta levels tested and they
Clomid only, I was referred by my
were not increasing at the rates the
OB/GYN to Shady Grove Fertility.
doctors had expected. We had an
stimulated cycle when a patient has
ultrasound done, and this pregnancy
viable embryos to freeze. Benefits
We first met with Dr. Arthur Sagoskin
was diagnosed as an ectopic
include lower cost, less complex
in November of 2010. After meeting
pregnancy. I was then given the two
treatment (e.g. no retrieval of eggs),
with him, the plan was to start with
methotrexate shots to help dissolve
less medication, and comparable
IUI. We completed our first cycle
the pregnancy.
success rates.
in February of 2011. We were so
Megan and her family.
excited to start the process. After
Two days after the final shot was
waiting the long two weeks, we
given, I woke up with a lot of pain.
finally got our results of the first IUI.
The embryo was still growing in my
I was pregnant!
fallopian tube. Later that day I was in surgery to have my fallopian tube
I then continued with the normal
removed. We now knew the next
check ups. By the time I was about
step was IVF.
seven weeks, a heartbeat was detected but it was not as strong as the doctors had hoped. By eight weeks, there was no heartbeat. The next step was a D&C procedure.
After waiting a few months to recover from the surgery, we got started with the IVF process. The egg retrieval was successful and we then had a
We then waited a few months
Day 5 transfer of two embryos. After
before we were able to do another
another two week wait, we got the
IUI procedure. I continued with two
results that we were pregnant again.
more IUIs, both being unsuccessful.
I continued with all of the follow-up
We knew with the original plan we
appointments and at our ultrasound
would do four IUIs before moving
appointment around seven weeks,
onto IVF. In October 2011, we
again there was no heart beat, we
continued on with the fourth IUI.
were devastated.
After waiting the long two weeks again, we got our results and I was pregnant. After going through two unsuccessful IUIs, we were
18
A Long Road ahead
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
After this miscarriage, I had also met with a maternal fetal medicine specialist, to whom Dr. Sagoskin
along than any of my previous
conclusion that my thyroid level
pregnancies. Everything was looking
was out of the preferred range for
good, and I was released from
a woman trying to get pregnant.
Shady Grove Fertility and continued
I was so happy to finally have
to see my OB and a Maternal
a possible cause for the two
Fetal Medicine specialist to follow
miscarriages. I was immediately put
my pregnancy closely. With two
on medication and my thyroid level
miscarriages, one ectopic pregnancy
was followed closely to make sure
and being pregnant with twins, I had
we stayed in the appropriate range.
a high-risk pregnancy.
“Finally being able to hold these two beautiful babies makes all of the heartache and trouble we went through to get pregnant and stay pregnant, worth it.”
Megan
referred. She had come to the
My advice to others: never give up if it is something that you really want.
So I waited again, this time another
Everything was going really well
Going through so many cycles of
few months before getting started
until 26 weeks. I was told I had a
treatments was the hardest thing
with the next cycle. We were lucky
short cervix and was at high-risk for
I have ever had to go through,
enough to still have seven frozen
pre-term labor. I was immediately
emotionally and physically. You lose
embryos. So the next cycle would
admitted to the hospital where I
hope after so many unsuccessful
be a Frozen Embryo Transfer, which
was on complete bed rest. I was
treatments, but you must continue
was much easier to go through than
able to go home from the hospital
to have faith that it will work out.
a fresh cycle of IVF. We decided
on strict bed rest at 28 weeks. Once
to transfer two embryos in June
home, I only left the house to go to
of 2012. I waited another long
my doctor appointments which was
two weeks for the results of my
once or twice a week.
bloodwork, and once again
Double the joy
was pregnant.
“The next cycle would be a Frozen Embryo Transfer, which was much easier to go through than a fresh cycle of IVF.” We continued to follow the beta levels and my thyroid level closely. We continued to adjust the thyroid
freeze” technology that has allowed
went into labor. My twin girls were
for more succesful egg freezing and
born at 4 lbs. 4 oz. and 4 lbs. 2 oz., and were small but they were healthy! Now we are the proud parents of two beautiful three-month-old girls. They are thriving and growing so quickly. Our lives have changed so much but
two beautiful babies makes all of
about the heartbeats of the two embryos. We made it to eight weeks pregnant, which was further
Megan’s twin newborns.
all for the better. Finally being able to hold these
with twins! We were so nervous
thawing for future treatments.
were in the NICU for 11 days. They
level in the correct range.
confirmed that I was pregnant
Vitrification is a new “flash
At 33 weeks, my water broke and I
medication as needed to keep my
At the first ultrasound, it was
fertility Fact
the heartache and trouble we went through to get pregnant and stay pregnant, worth it. Every day is an adventure. We are all learning and adjusting to each and every day with our new life.
Shady Grove Fertility
19
Melissa
Melissa’s story: overcoming Endometriosis Diagnosis: Endometriosis Treatment: IVF / ICSI
My husband and I were married later in life, when I was 32. Due to irregular and painful periods, my doctor suspected I might have endometriosis, and I had been on birth control for about five years to help with the symptoms. I wanted to have children, but felt it was important to have time together for just the two of us at the beginning of our marriage. Starting Our Family
get pregnant. It would help with
I came off of the birth control after
the endometriosis, and fulfill our
we had been married a year, but we
desire to have a child — so she
in which endometrial tissue that
still were not ready to have a child.
sent me to Shady Grove Fertility.
lines the inside of the uterus
A year later, I began having
Dr. Gilbert Mottla explained about
grows elsewhere in the body.
extremely painful periods, which
endometriosis and how it can affect
Endometriosis plays a role in
were debilitating enough to cause
fertility. We did the preliminary
me to miss work. About the same
testing, and my husband also had
time, we began trying to conceive.
a low sperm count. Dr. Mottla
fertility fact Endometriosis is a condition
about 10% of female infertility.
thought the best thing to do in The next year was very difficult for me. With each passing month came the disappointment that I wasn’t pregnant, compounded by Melissa and her husband on their wedding day.
the severe menstrual pain. Most of my friends already had children, and it seemed so easy for them. They decided they were ready for children, and after one or two months, they were expecting. Why was it so hard for me?
Starting with IVF I was really reluctant to do IVF. It felt too much like “playing God.” But after another six months of physical and emotional pain, we were ready to try. I started the cycle, and had a poor response — only two follicles. Dr. Mottla wanted to convert my cycle to IUI, but my husband and I felt we had come this far, why not
“Most of my friends decided they were ready for children, and after one or two months, they were expecting. Why was it so hard for me?”
go for it? Dr. Mottla respected our
Diagnosis confirmed
endometrial cysts might be in the
I had several ultrasounds which showed endometrial cysts on both ovaries. My OB/GYN thought the best thing for me to do was to
20
our situation was IVF.
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
decision, and we moved forward with the egg retrieval. The day of our egg retrieval, Dr. Rachana Garde told us she didn’t know if she would be able to get to both follicles because the way. I had fully prepared myself to wake up after the procedure and not have any eggs. I was elated when they told me they retrieved one
Melissa
“Our world is so full, and I couldn’t have imagined how much love I could have for him.” fertility Fact
Melissa’s little boy.
egg! We still had a chance! I was
compassionate they were through
ecstatic the next day when I was told
the whole process. If you are having
the egg had fertilized. Dr. Mottla
trouble conceiving, visit Shady
called himself the next day to tell
Grove Fertility and see what your
me that the cells were dividing, but
options are. Talk to your spouse/
not as quickly as they had hoped.
partner about your feelings. Access resources to help you along the way.
At my embryo transfer appointment, I was prepared for them to tell me
You are not alone.
IVF with Intracytoplasmic
Sperm Injection (ICSI) is
an infertility treatment in which a single sperm is injected directly into the center of the egg. ICSI is especially useful in cases with very low sperm count, the sperm cannot penetrate the egg, or the sperm are abnormally shaped.
that the cells had stopped dividing, and I should go home. Instead, the embryo was given the highest quality grade, and we left feeling hopeful. The dreaded two week wait passed rather quickly, and we were delighted to receive the news that I was pregnant!
“I was really reluctant to do IVF. But after another six months of physical and emotional pain, we were ready to try.”
Melissa and family.
The second Miracle Our amazing little miracle arrived seven weeks ahead of schedule, and now — at 17 months old — is a healthy and extremely happy little guy. Our world is so full, and I couldn’t have imagined how much love I could have for him. I am so thankful to Dr. Mottla and my nurse, Dana, for how caring and
Shady Grove Fertility
21
Chrysta
Chrysta’s story: completing our family Diagnosis: Male Factor Treatment: IVF
My husband and I were married in August 2010 while we were in our late 30s. We each had children from previous relationships and assumed we had completed our family. To be fair, part of this assumption was due to the fact that my husband had a vasectomy almost 10 years ago after his second child was born. Life was great with three teenagers, our dog, and my husband and I behaving like newlyweds! Until one day... fertility Fact IVF allows patients to bypass
voluntary sterilization from procedures such as a tubal ligation and vasectomies.
Maybe a baby?
with ICSI. This would mean that I
I was completely unprepared for
would have weeks of injections and
the urgent tug on my heart to have
my husband would need a surgical
more children. Where did that come
sperm extraction. We decided to
from? I was almost 40 and my baby
take the plunge using the Multi-
is 14! I tried to talk myself out of
Cycle Discount Program since my
this crazy notion, but the truth is
age might be a factor hindering
that I had to share this desire with
immediate success.
my husband. At first he was a bit hesitant, but we began to research Chrysta on her wedding day.
our options. We looked into a vasectomy reversal which was the cheaper option, but that would mean having a repeat procedure once I became
"We decided to take the plunge using the MultiCycle Discount Program since my age might be a factor hindering immediate success."
successfully pregnant. Adding to that is the fact that it had been
Toward the end of my cycle, the
10 years since his vasectomy — a
injections got increasingly more
period of time that can significantly
painful. My husband repeatedly
reduce the chances of a successful
reminded me of why we were
reversal. After speaking with a
doing this, helping me to bear the
colleague who is also a patient
discomfort. Before we knew it, egg
who spoke highly of the staff of
retrieval day was upon us. To my
Shady Grove Fertility, we decided
surprise, 35 eggs were harvested!
to schedule a consult with the
That certainly validated all the pain
Fair Oaks, VA office.
and discomfort I had been feeling.
Understanding Our Options Dr. Stephen Greenhouse explained that our options were limited due to my husband’s vasectomy. He recommended that we pursue IVF
22
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
We did a Day 5 transfer of two embryos and the dreaded two week wait began. Having three teenagers and a dog kept me busy enough that the wait
passed without too much anxiety.
on their own, I highly recommend
My husband and I were elated to
scheduling a consultation with
learn that we were pregnant! We
Shady Grove Fertility. The staff
got to see our baby at six weeks
there are very knowledgeable
and again at eight weeks via
and professional. I always felt that
ultrasound. I’m still amazed at the
they cared about me from the
success given my age.
time I was greeted until I got the phone call later that day with my
Today, I’m 12 weeks along
monitoring results. But be prepared
and doing great. I have many
for the withdrawal you’ll feel when
thanks to Dr. Greenhouse and
you graduate from Shady Grove
my amazing nurse, Marci, for the
Fertility at around the eight-week
personal emails and phone calls
point. Going from seeing your
of comfort and reassurance. I’m
support every one to three days
sure I couldn’t have gotten through
to not seeing them at all was an
this process without my amazing
unexpected downside of
husband and the support of the
our success!
Chrysta
“I’m sure I couldn’t have gotten through this process without my amazing husband and the support of the Shady Grove Fertility team.”
Fertility Fact IVF is a popular option for couples who desire children following a vasectomy. The male partner must have a “sperm retrieval” to obtain sperm. Success rates are primarily based on the age of the female partner. For women younger than 35, the
pregnancy rate is over 50%.
Shady Grove Fertility team.
Success of a growing family My husband and I are overjoyed with the anticipation of adding a little one to our family. Our children are excited too and are helping us choose baby names and plan the nursery. We are so happy that we took the chance and contacted Shady Grove Fertility. Due to my advancing age, I knew that I had
Chrysta’s positive pregnancy test.
a short window of time to get pregnant. Calling Shady Grove Fertility was definitely the way to go.
“My husband and I are overjoyed with the anticipation of adding a little one to our family.” For anyone who suspects they might have difficulty getting pregnant
Shady Grove Fertility
23
Andrea
Andrea’s story: Shared risk program pays off Diagnosis: PCOS Treatment: IVF
Mark and I were married in May of 2008 and said goodbye to birth control the month after. We decided to “see what would happen” although I fully expected to be pregnant within a month or two. We had no worries about infertility. I was young with regular cycles and Mark already had a son from a previous marriage. We never dreamed that we wouldn’t be able to conceive. A pregnant Andrea with her husband, Mark.
Getting down to business
Our joy was short lived though. That
By June of 2009, we still weren’t
at six and a half weeks. We were
pregnant and decided that we
devastated. After taking a few
needed to start actively trying
months break, we went back to
to conceive. We started using
Shady Grove Fertility in August of
ovulation predictor kits and timing
2010 to begin testing and treatment.
intercourse, but nothing seemed to be working. After months of denial, we finally decided to make our first appointment with Shady Grove Fertility and had our initial consultation with Dr. Jeanne O’Brien in the Frederick, MD office in March of 2010. We left that consultation full of hope. Dr. O’Brien told us that since I was only 24 years old, that we would find a treatment that would work for us and that she was sure we would be successful in achieving a healthy pregnancy. We were told to call the office on Day 1 of my next cycle so that we could begin the testing process. Day 1, however, didn’t come. A few days after that initial consultation, I took a pregnancy test and for the very first time, it was positive. Mark and I were thrilled. We couldn’t believe our luck and that we wouldn’t have to endure fertility treatments!
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20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
pregnancy ended in a miscarriage
Returning to Shady Grove Fertility After going through the fertility testing, Dr. O’Brien explained that the semen analysis and my hormone levels came back within the normal ranges, but based on my ultrasound, my ovaries appear to be polycystic. She was incredibly optimistic and recommended a very basic form of treatment — timed intercourse with Clomid. We were excited to get started and our very first treatment cycle gave us another positive pregnancy test, but it sadly ended as a chemical pregnancy. After two more cycles which ended in negative pregnancy tests, my husband and I wanted to move on.
“Based on my ultrasound, my ovaries appear to be polycystic.”
forward with the Shared Risk 100% Refund Program for IVF to maximize our chances at pregnancy while minimizing the risk for multiples. In April of 2011, we had our very first IVF transfer and transferred one Day 5 blastocyst. We were so hopeful for this cycle, especially after our nurse called and told us that our remaining two embryos had made it to the freezing process. We were shocked when that cycle ended in another negative pregnancy test. It was so devastating. We decided to move forward with a frozen embryo transfer and made the decision with our doctor to transfer both frozen
“It took a lot of prayers and a lot of help from our friends at Shady Grove Fertility but we finally have our miracles.” I would tell anyone who is in the midst of their fertility treatments to know that as hard as this journey is, it will make you the most amazing
Andrea
Ultimately, we decided to move
fertility Fact 85% of women with an ovulatory disorder suffer
from Polycystic Ovary
Syndrome (PCOS).
parent someday because every second will be just as precious as it should be. Until then, hold true to your dreams. Know that your miracle will come. And don’t be afraid to give yourself days to just completely hate the wait.
embryos on June 13, 2011. Two weeks later, our lives changed forever. We got a phone call with an amazing beta number... 2,545! We were cautiously optimistic, but so excited. On July 8, 2011,
Andrea, Mark, Avery and Connor.
we had our first ultrasound with the most amazing sight — two beautiful babies with two beautiful heartbeats. It was the most surreal and happiest moment of my life.
Our Dream came true I had a fairly uneventful twin pregnancy and made it to 36 weeks. On February 1, 2012, our beautiful girl/boy twins were born at 10:10 and 10:11 am. Avery Leigh and Connor Michael are so incredibly amazing and we are so very thankful that they are here with us. It took a lot of prayers and a lot of help from our friends at Shady Grove Fertility but we finally have our miracles.
Shady Grove Fertility
25
raChel
raChel’S Story: bloggIng throUgh InfertIlIty Diagnosis: unexPlaIned
TreaTmenT: IVF
Chris and I were high school sweethearts! We got married right after college and spent the first few years of our marriage finishing graduate school and just enjoying spending time together. To be honest, before being diagnosed with infertility, we never thought we would have any trouble starting a family. Both of us come from large families and we had expressed the desire for a large family of our own. looking For Answers
we didn’t have kids. They just didn’t
We stopped using birth control
understand where we were. I will say
and started trying monthly to get
the experience of infertility brought
partners are affected by infertility in
pregnant. We tried for over a year
my husband and I closer together as
the united States.
on our own, and then we decided
a couple, but it also firmly solidified
to see if anything could be causing
for us how clueless most people
barriers to pregnancy.
were with regard to infertility!
fertIlIty faCt 7.4 million women and their
We went to a fertility specialist in
check out rachel's blog at
www.inconceivablefaith. blogspot.com
our area and were told that we had unexplained infertility; there were no huge red flags. Our doctor told us to relax and keep trying. This was certainly easier said than done! We felt very much alone; most of
“We had unexplained infertility. our doctor told us to relax and keep trying. this was certainly easier said than done!”
our friends and family members
After six more months of trying, we
had started their families. So many
went back and tried three rounds
people continually asked us why
of IUI paired with Clomid without
rachel and her husband.
success. The doctor said we should keep trying IUI. At that point, we felt frustrated and unheard. We didn’t know if we needed to explore IVF or just continue with the IUI cycles. Either way, we knew we wanted to go to another specialist.
Blogging every step oF tHe wAy We blogged through our fertility journey, starting with the moment we walked into Shady Grove Fertility’s office for the first time. It was like we had hope!
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20 paths to a positive: positive: Real Real patients patients shaRe shaRe inspiRing inspiRing stoRies stoRies ofof hope hope
Blog Entry: Sunday, October 7, 2012 On Friday, Chris and I went to Shady Grove Fertility in Chesterbrook, PA. The main office for Shady Grove Fertility is in Maryland, but they just opened a new center in Chesterbrook. We researched beforehand and found out that insurance would not cover any of the procedures, should we choose to go ahead. We were lucky though, because the initial consult was free for the month of September (as the clinic had just opened in the new location).
Rachel
Moving Forward We started our first and only cycle at the end of October 2012. We had plenty of time to think about the IVF cycle and the potential outcome of it as we drove down the Pennsylvania Turnpike, to and from Chesterbrook for appointments. The 360 mile round-trip gave me plenty of time to worry, but also plenty of time to pray!
Our doctor, Dr. Isaac Sasson, greeted us and took us back to his office. I could tell he had already looked through our charts and info sent from our Doctor. He talked to us for a while and let us fill him in about our situation. He appeared to genuinely care about us, beyond the reproduction factor. He felt well aware of our emotions and feelings as we approached each topic. He outlined several options for us. The first three were options we had in one way or another, already explored. The fourth (and final) option was IVF. He explained what IVF is and walked us through a typical cycle. He showed us the success rates for couples from Shady Grove Fertility from 2011. For couples under 35, the success rate was 51%. This was certainly encouraging news, as we were in the 10-15% range with IUI and Clomid. At one point, he looked across the table and said, “I don’t know why your faces appear to be so sad. You just seem like you have given up hope. Here’s the thing: you guys are going to have a baby. Rachel, you will get pregnant and have a baby.” To hear this was a complete shock. It was hard to process that a medical professional was telling us that we would have our own child. In fact, he asked how many kids we wanted... it was just so surreal. I feel like, even as I write this, I am not outlining our initial consult with the justice it deserves. It was way beyond words. There are obstacles in the way, but none that I hope will keep us from the promise he declared. Having to drive 360 miles round-trip to Chesterbrook dozens of times and having to deal with meds and hormones and timing etc. could be difficult at times. However, if we agree to do this, we can start in two weeks when I get my next period. The thought that I could be pregnant by Thanksgiving was unbelievable. I cautiously dare to think about having a baby next summer. It is just so unreal.
I was not afraid of the egg retrieval or the embryo transfer; the needles and the meds didn’t really scare me either. My biggest fear was that we were investing emotionally in another attempt at pregnancy. I tried not to think about a negative outcome, but with so much on the line (hormones included) it was difficult to take each day one at a time.
“The 360 mile round-trip gave me plenty of time to worry, but also plenty of time to pray!” With the help of follicle stimulant hormones, 13 eggs were retrieved at my egg retrieval. After fertilization, eight embryos remained viable. Each day, Maria would call us from the embryology lab to tell us how many embryos remained and the status of each. I cannot say enough about Maria; looking past her lab coat, her heart is actually what anyone would notice first. I knew our embryos were in good hands with her!
Shady Grove Fertility
27
Rachel
We went for our embryo transfer
Dr. Abraham Munabi made us
drove home from Chesterbrook that
on November 13. We had a Day 5
feel confident as we went in for
day, I remember Chris saying, “This
transfer with five viable embryos
the embryo transfer; it was the
is the closest to being parents that
remaining at that point. After
strangest, scariest, most exciting
we’ve ever been!” It was the end of
much deliberation, we decided
feeling to think that we had made
our cycle and the two week wait.
to have two embryos transferred.
it to this point in the cycle. As we
Blog Entry: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 Yesterday began at 6:00 am when Chris and I sprinted into the Divine Providence Hospital lab for my blood work. Dr. Sasson did request that my blood work results be sent to him STAT, but I didn’t exactly know what STAT meant in the Williamsport bloodwork world. STAT could mean immediately, or in a few hours, or sometime that day. Needless to say, I came home from the lab and tried to busy myself with work, waiting for a phone call from Shady Grove Fertility. At around 10:45 am, the phone rang. I could tell by the caller ID that it was Shady Grove. I took a deep breath, and answered the call. I immediately heard Dr. Sasson’s voice. “Rachel? Hi, it’s Dr. Sasson.” “Hi.” (At this point, I was on the verge of crying, sweating, and vomiting simultaneously) “I am standing here with Morgan, Stephanie and Jamie and we all want to tell you congratulations because you are pregnant! You did it!” “What? Oh my gosh. No way!” (Insert blubbering crying, hysterical screaming, crying some more, and a few “I can’t-believe-its” and “Praise Gods” and I think you can get the picture of my response). “I will wait a few minutes for you to catch your breath. Let me know when you are ready.” “Ok, I’m ready.” “Your levels look great and you are definitely five weeks pregnant. I want you to do repeat bloodwork on Wednesday and Friday, just make sure your levels continue to rise. I will see you for an ultrasound in a few weeks to make sure that everything is going smoothly, and then you will be formally discharged from Shady Grove Fertility to your own doctor in Williamsport.” This is the best I can do to recount the conversation. I just remember sitting at my desk being in complete shock that it really was happening, that finally, we had confirmation of a tiny life or lives that would be added to our family. After I hung up the phone, I quickly changed and ran out of the door. I wanted to tell Chris immediately but I didn’t want to do it over the phone. The whole way to his office, I was crying and smiling, in a state of pure joy. I am surprised I was able to navigate and make it there in one piece!
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20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
Rachel
I texted Chris and asked him to come out to the parking lot. I saw him push open the door of the Children’s Development Center. He wore a look of concern, but as soon as he saw me smiling, he started running to the car. He jumped in the passenger seat and grabbed me. “I’m pregnant. It worked. Oh my gosh, I’m pregnant!” We bawled our faces off for about fifteen minutes, sitting in the parking lot. He asked me to recount, word for word, what Dr. Sasson told me. I did my best. After about twenty minutes of in-the-Subaru celebration, Chris thought he should probably go back in to work since no one knew why he had flown out the door earlier. I will never forget seeing him practically skip back into work. While we are absolutely thrilled beyond words, we do realize that we can’t tell the world right away. Heck, if it were up to me, I’d be telling anyone, whether I knew him or not!
Life After Treatment We are currently in the second trimester of the pregnancy. I am due at the end of July with our first child resulting from a successful IVF cycle. Even though I am pregnant, the combined pain and joy of our infertility journey is something we won’t ever forget. Should we struggle to conceive again, we will be headed back to Shady Grove Fertility in the future for sure!
“Even though I am pregnant currently, the combined pain and joy of our infertility journey is something we won’t ever forget.”
whom have “come out of the woodwork” since Chris and I started sharing more about our infertility struggles. So many couples do not
Rachel's ultrasound.
fertility Fact 1 in 10 couples
talk about infertility; it becomes this
experiencing infertility
silent monster that can affect your
will be diagnosed with
emotional well-being, your marriage
unexplained infertility.
and your outlook on life. Be upfront To anyone reading this who is having
with family members and friends
trouble conceiving, just know that
who mean well when they ask
you are not alone. You would be
you a million times about
amazed at the number of people
getting pregnant. Shady Grove Fertility
29
Lynsey
Lynsey’s story: An unexpected diagnosis Diagnosis: Male Factor Treatment: IVF / ICSI
In May of 2009, I was 26 and my husband, Matthew was 29. Just two months before our fourth anniversary, we made the decision that we would pursue starting our family. We stopped using my diaphragm and the spermicide gel that we had been using at the time, and started trying to have a baby. Six months of negative pregnancy
analysis test done. We scheduled
tests later, we were crushed. We
that appointment right away and
both had a feeling that something
my husband went to a local hospital
called ductus deferens — transport
was wrong, especially since we had
to have his semen analysis test
sperm from the epididymis in
just turned 27 and 30 and had been
completed.
anticipation of ejaculation.
using ovulation predictor kits since
Shocking Results
Fertility fact The vas deferens — also
our second cycle. My cycles were always 28 days long, give or take a day or so, and every month the ovulation predictor kits showed that I did ovulate.
Lynsey and her husband on their wedding day.
When we received the results a week later, we were shocked. The technician who preformed the analysis thought he was looking at a sample from a man whom had
I scheduled a fertility work-up with
just had a vasectomy... the analysis
my OB/GYN, and after he examined
showed a zero sperm count. Our
me, he could find nothing wrong.
general practitioner had us schedule
He recommended that we get a
another semen analysis to make
referral from our general practitioner
sure his results weren’t accidentally
for my husband to have a semen
confused with someone else’s — again the results came back with a zero sperm count. Our general practitioner then referred us to Shady Grove Fertility and suggested we make an appointment with an urologist as well. We called the next day and had appointments booked within two weeks.
“The technician thought he was looking at a sample from a man whom had just had a vasectomy... the analysis showed a zero sperm count.” 30
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
On December 15, 2009, at my husband’s urologist appointment, the urologist — as well as his colleague — were unable to find his vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm from the body). Just a few hours later, we came to Shady Grove Fertility in Frederick, MD and learned that our only option of ever having biological children was IVF, and that Matthew may be a carrier of cystic fibrosis. Among a wide range of emotions, most of all, we were so thankful we finally knew what had to be done to have a family. We began working with our financial counselor on how we could pay for treatment and were extremely elated to learn that insurance would cover everything except the annual storage fee of keeping our future embryos stored! We felt so blessed! On New Year's Eve of that year Dr. Jeanne O’Brien called to let us know that Matthew was not a carrier of cystic fibrosis, but that he actually had cystic fibrosis. Again, we were shocked. At Dr. O’Brien’s suggestion
Lynsey
Anatomy Lesson
“Among a wide range of emotions, most of all, we were so thankful we finally knew what had to be done to have a family.” While we were so thankful to learn this news, it did confirm that IVF was our only option of having biological children. In 98% of men with cystic fibrosis, being born without vas deferens means that they must have surgery to access the little bit of sperm they produce and that IVF with ICSI would be
conceived, we checked in across
the only option for procreating.
the street from Shady Grove Fertility
During that month, we began my
in Rockville, MD to Shady Grove
cycle of meds that ended with my
Adventist Hospital and welcomed
husband’s Percutaneous Epidydimal
our son the next day. In February of
Sperm Aspiration (PESA) procedure
this year we had a frozen embryo
to extract his sperm and my egg
transfer, which unfortunately did not
retrieval on March 3. Five days
work. We tried transferring our third
later, one of our five embryos
embryo in April and we are happy
were transferred into me and the
to announce that we welcomed a
remaining four were frozen.
daughter on January 12.
On December 8, exactly nine months to the day from when our son and his four brothers or sisters were Lynsey and family.
we scheduled an appointment with a specialist at Johns Hopkins for mid-January. At Hopkins we learned that of all the men that have Matthew’s exact same two CF genes, Matthew is within the 1% of men in whom cystic fibrosis only seems to affect their fertility. Miraculously, he does not need medication to control his ailment and most likely will never need any treatment. Shady Grove Fertility
31
maria
Maria’s story: Cancer and Infertility Diagnosis: Cancer Treatment: IVF
On February 29, 2000, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The next two years included four cycles of chemo, sixteen days of radiation, two biopsies, and a bone marrow transplant. Right before the transplant, they told me I’d never have kids because the drugs would effect my ovarian reserve. Fertility fact
At the time, the only option they
transvaginal ultrasound to see how
could provide me was to freeze
many follicles I had. My hormone
The Center for Fertility
embryos, but I was only 17. Freezing
levels and follicle count were
Preservation at Shady Grove
eggs was not possible 12 years ago,
never good.
Fertility — initiated in 2010 —
so instead, I was left to deal with the
provides egg-freezing services to
fact that I’d never have children.
and at this point he kept telling me
help protect a woman’s fertility from the changes in egg quality
They put me on Hormone
that it was time to seek help for my
that accompany aging or emerge
Replacement Therapy (HRT) since
fertility problems. But I was scared
as a result of cancer treatment.
my body might react as if I went
to make that first call because I knew
into early menopause. Within a
if this didn’t work there were no
year, I went to see a reproductive
other options. I figured if I didn’t try
endocrinologist and he told me to
then I could hold onto hope.
stop the HRT medicine and then
Taking the Leap
a month later did bloodwork. The blood work didn’t give high hopes but once off the meds I began to have a semi-normal menstrual cycle.
“Right before the transplant, they told me I’d never have kids because the drugs would effect my ovarian reserve. “ From 2006 to 2010, I participated in a research study that focused on seeing how the fertility of women that had undergone chemotherapy treatment are effected compared to women that did not have chemotherapy. This required me to
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I married my husband in July 2011,
In January of 2012, I took the leap and contacted Shady Grove Fertility. I went to the website to schedule an appointment. Hitting send was more difficult than I thought it would be. The next day I got a call to make an appointment. Dr. Lorna Timmreck was amazing! She explained everything to me after reviewing my history from the research study. She told me she was cautiously optimistic. She didn’t want to get my hopes up too high because my history didn’t look good. She said we are going full force and would still go to retrieval even if I had only one egg.
have my blood drawn on a certain
So in February, I started with all the
day in my cycle, and also to do an
tests at Shady Grove Fertility. I felt
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
My husband woke up from his
My son is now almost five months
the way. But I never gave up. I cried
surgery and I told him we had a
old and every time I look at him I
a lot and kept a journal to document
message waiting for us. He wanted
just have to smile and cry a few tears
everything I went through. It helped
to listen right then and there, but I
of joy.
to get the thoughts out of my head.
couldn’t because I knew either way, I didn’t want to drive the hour home
I would tell anyone with a similar
On April 28, my husband took me
a complete mess. But the second
situation to go to Shady Grove
for my retrieval. I thought the day
we got home, we sat together
Fertility and to never give up! Had
would never come because my
on the couch and listened to the
I never made that appointment, I
body was taking longer to respond
message that changed our lives
wouldn’t have my son today.
to the IVF shots. The day before
forever. I heard the three words I
my retrieval, the doctor warned me
thought I’d never hear in my life...
that we could have two, one or zero
“You are pregnant!”
eggs. I woke up from the procedure and the nurse told me they had
My son was born almost a month
retrieved three eggs!
early on Christmas Eve. He is a miracle in every sense! At over
The next day after church I got
maria
my body fighting me every step of
fertility Fact 56% of embryos transfered using previously frozen eggs result in pregnancy.
7 lbs., was completely healthy!
the message from Shady Grove Fertility informing me that two eggs fertilized. I couldn’t stop crying because we still had hope. On Day 3, they transferred both
“I heard the three words I thought I’d never hear in my life... ‘You are pregnant!’”
embryos. The wait to May 16 was the hardest two weeks of my life, but the day finally arrived! I went to Shady Grove Fertility to take the
Maria’s ultrasound.
blood test and then to work for a few hours. I took my husband to have minor surgery on the same day. I promised him I’d wait to listen to the message if Shady Grove Fertility called with the results so we could listen together. While in the waiting room they called, Shady Grove Fertility showed up on my phone and I started crying hysterically and hyperventilating. The answer I’d been waiting for was right there.
“I couldn’t stop crying because we still had hope.” Shady Grove Fertility
33
renee
renee’S Story: a WhIte PICKet fenCe dream Diagnosis: recurrent PreGnancy loSS / PcoS
TreaTmenT: IVF / PGd
My husband and I had been married for about a year when I was diagnosed with PCOS, but we had no idea what we were in store for. We had always planned to have three kids, I would stay home, the whole picket fence dream. Down tHe wrong pAtH
We went through the process of
We discovered our own infertility
finding a gestational carrier, paying
Studies show miscarriages are
after having trouble conceiving
for it, and paying for the cycle and
fairly common; approximately
naturally for a year, experiencing
IVF with another clinic — only to have
recurrent pregnancy loss. We were
it not work. I was prepared to give
a miscarriage. less common
told that the first two miscarraiges
up hope. I even went to law school,
is the number of couples that
were considered normal, but after
when my husband asked me to try
experience multiple miscarriage
the third, it wasn’t a fluke.
one more time. We had both heard
fertIlIty faCt
1 in 4 pregnancies will result in
or recurrent pregnancy loss,
good things about Shady Grove
which has recently been
I had taken Clomid and we were
Fertility, and we agreed that we
redefined as two consecutive
able to get pregnant so easily —
would only try one more time if we
miscarriages rather than three.
we thought that it was a miracle
went to Dr. Stephen Greenhouse.
drug. However, we kept having miscarriages. After our fifth miscarriage, another clinic told us that our problems would be solved if we used a gestational carrier.
renee and family.
“I had taken Clomid and we were able to get pregnant so easily. however, we kept having miscarriages.”
cHAnging course Dr. Greenhouse was so kind. He told me that he thought the problem was genetic, not anatomic. I couldn’t believe it. Scott and I had both previously had independent genetic panels for us, and we were genetically normal. Only one pregnancy was to a length sufficient to be biopsied and, due to the collection process, it was inconclusive as to whether the sample was from me or the loss. Dr. Greenhouse recommended preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Dr. Greenhouse and Sonia, our nurse, were amazing! We did IVF with PGD and after retrieving over 20 eggs, we had about 11 analyzed and only 3 were normal. Of those, only two reached the more advanced blastocyst stage. I was so convinced that it would fail, that I made my
3434
20 paths to a positive: positive: Real Real patients patients shaRe shaRe inspiRing inspiRing stoRies stoRies ofof hope hope
Renee
“They implanted both blastcyst embryos that were genetically normal, and two days before my husband’s birthday, we found out that we were pregnant!” husband promise to take me to New
He never treated me like I was crazy
York at the end of the summer. Well, I
for being afraid. He treated me like
guess I won twice.
his partner, not just his patient. And, perhaps most importantly to us, he
They implanted both blastocyst
treated my husband like he was as
embryos that were genetically
important to the process as I was.
normal, and two days before my My best advice to women who are
that we were pregnant! I had a
struggling with infertility is to get
beautiful, healthy, baby girl one
help early. Listen to your gut. If
week before my birthday. What
you think there is a problem, trust
was great about Dr. Greenhouse
yourself. Never give up, but find a
is that we could contact him and
purpose that can be independent
ask questions, even after we were
of parenthood. Love your partner,
discharged to the regular OB/GYN.
through all the ups and downs.
Lessons learned
Empower yourself to be your own
and I am a practicing attorney. We
New blood tests can provide
genetic screening for both the male and female partner. These screenings can shed light on chromosomal abnormalities which frequently
husband’s birthday, we found out
We now have a beautiful little girl,
fertility Fact
lead to miscarriages.
advocate. And, oh yeah — go to Shady Grove Fertility!
are debating trying for a sibling for our daughter. What really meant the most to me was the concern and compassion that the Shady Grove Fertility staff always demonstrated to me. I emailed questions to Dr. Greenhouse months after I graduated, and he always responded quickly and with the greatest of concern.
“What really meant the most to me was the concern and compassion that the Shady Grove staff always demonstrated to me.”
Renee’s little girl.
Shady Grove Fertility
35
AIMEE
Aimee’s story: A battle finding answers Diagnosis: Diminished Ovarian Reserve Treatment: IVF
Adam and I were married in May 2009 and decided to start trying – or rather stop preventing – in October. I was 30 and he was 32. I came from a big family where everyone seemed to have kids no problem. So I expected the same for me. After six months of nothing, I wondered if something was wrong. My cycle was different from before,
so many “poors” and “fails” in my
but my OB/GYN told me to just
life. He said we could try IUI a few
relax, keep trying and come back in
times if we wanted, but felt going
September if we still had issues.
straight to IVF would give us the
Finding My Own Way
best outcome.
My concerns in that year were
One Perfect Embryo
brushed off. By September, my
After getting a second opinion, we
OB/GYN finally did some bloodwork
were being told that IVF was the
and told me I had an elevated
best option and not to wait too long
Follicle Stiumulating Hormone
to decide. We decided to go back
(FSH). She asked me to do some
to Dr. Khan and proceed with the
research and let her know which
IVF treatment. By now, it was March
reproductive endocrinologist
2011. I started the birth control, we
she should refer me to. I couldn’t
took the injection class, and I was
believe she didn’t even offer a single
ready to go.
recommendation, needless to say that was the last time I saw her.
The injection class was tough because I heard the dosages the
“My OB/GYN finally did some bloodwork and told me I had an elevated FSH.” Aimee, Adam and their baby.
other two women were taking... and then I heard my significantly higher dosage. But I was happy we were finally getting help. I was probably the happiest I’d been in a year,
After looking into my options, I
knowing what the issue was and that
chose to see Dr. Naveed Khan at
we could do something about it.
Shady Grove Fertility’s Leesburg, VA office. After completing more
On top of the injections and
testing he came back with answers.
treatment, I had been doing
He told me I had diminished ovarian
acupuncture a few times a week,
reserve. Based on my age, 31, my
figuring “hey... whatever helps,
eggs should be of good quality
right?” The needles were no
— but the issue was quantity, I just
problem for me. I just did it.
didn’t have enough. I remember the paperwork of the testing that he came back with. I’ve never seen
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20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
Retrieval day came and they got six eggs. I couldn’t help but feel a little bummed... I had heard of other
aImee
“the girl with no eggs is having another baby! and this time we did it on our own!” patients retrieving eggs in the teens.
We are hapy to announce that she’s
They called the following day — one
going to be a big sister this August.
had fertilized, and they tried “rescue
The girl with no eggs is having
ICSI” which didn’t work on the others.
another baby! And this time we did it
INSIDE THE IVF LAB
on our own! I only had one good embryo, but it was a perfect one. Since I had one
My biggest advice to others who are
embryo, they decided to do a Day 3
struggling with infertility: trust your
transfer instead of waiting until Day 5.
gut and keep trying. If your doctor
On April 6, 2011, they transferred the
isn’t listening to your concerns,
one perfect embryo we had. I got the
find someone who will. And most
positive 15 days later. It worked on
importantly, be positive. Although
the first try — I was finally pregnant!
the journey was difficult, once we
positive results
started the IVF process, it felt like
My daughter was born on December 30. She’s a sweet, sassy little 16-month-old girl now. She is the best thing that ever happened
things were looking up. The positive energy I felt during the process is what helped my little one decide to
1
Eggs are retrieved from the follicles and assessed for maturity
3
Embryos are cultured in the lab for 3-6 days
2
Sperm is introduced to each egg, allowing fertilization
4
1-3 embryos (depending on prognosis) are transfered into the uterus
stay in there and grow.
to us and I am so thankful. aimee, adam and their little girl.
shady gRove feRtility
37
Tiffany
Tiffany’s story: Well Worth The Wait Diagnosis: UNEXPLAINED Treatment path: IVF
Dylan and I met in the military and always planned on having kids together when we were married. We were very busy at work but we decided that we wanted to have children before we were in our 30s. After trying for over 18 months, we were unsuccessful in conceiving. We knew it was time to see a specialist. fertility Fact
We went through the military health
meds and realized that needles
system and attempted three cycles
didn’t bother me. The day of the egg
Morning sickness and nausea
with Clomid and IUI. The first cycle
retrieval I was extremely nervous,
are frequently thought to be the
resulted in a very early miscarriage.
but the staff put me at ease. I was so
The next two IUIs were unsuccessful.
happy when the doctor informed us
Many patients are surprised to learn
After the third failed IUI, we decided
they retrieved 18 eggs.
that they are pregnant, even
that the quality and individualized
without experiencing any of
care was not available to us in the
these symptoms.
military health system. I broke
early signs of pregnancy.
down to a military doctor and begged for a referral to an outside fertility center.
The Best Advice I Have Been Given Since we were both active duty, we had to pay for all outside fertility treatments out-of-pocket. I spoke with a good friend who told me the best advice I ever heard, “You will never look back and wish you Tiffany’s embryos.
hadn’t spent the money,” And she was right!
“You will never look back and wish you hadn’t spent the money.” After meeting with Dr. Stephen Greenhouse, we were filled with
38
"After meeting with Dr. Stephen Greenhouse, we were filled with a sense of hope. We decided to try IVF and said we’d give it two cycles." Over the next few days, the surviving eggs and embryos dwindled to 11, then 8, then 6. I was a little worried, but my husband and our doctor assured me we only need one. We decided to put two Day 5 blastocysts in, and over the two week wait I tried my best not to think about being pregnant, though I noticed I had no symptoms. I thought about just taking an over the counter pregnancy test, but decided not to.
I didn’t feel pregnant When I went for the blood test,
a sense of hope. We decided to
I accepted that I wasn’t pregnant
try IVF and said we’d give it two
because I didn’t feel pregnant. My
cycles. The process wasn’t as hard
husband and I decided to take the
as I thought it would be. I quickly
day off work and just relax. Around
adjusted to administering my own
noon that day, I received a call from
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
the nurse. That’s when I heard the
handsome baby boy and beautiful a
best news of my life — positive!
baby girl.
Then, even more worrying began.
Life Today
What if I miscarried? What if there was only one baby? I would be ecstatic with just one child, but when two weeks later we went in for the ultrasound, I couldn’t help but think if there aren’t two, then my body must have failed one of the two embryos we transferred.
Tiffany
"Around noon that day, I received a call from the nurse. That’s when I heard the best news of my life — positive!"
fertility Fact
We are now parents to six-week-old
When testing for pregnancy
boy/girl twins. They are the best gift
a blood test is more accurate
we could have ever received, and
than a home pregnancy test.
although a lot of work at times, they were well worth the wait. We couldn’t be more thankful for Dr. Greenhouse and the Shady Grove Fertility staff. My advice to other patients is don’t
I was scared to look at the
be afraid to ask for help. If you want a
ultrasound image at first, but then
child, you will never regret the cost of
the doctor said “well... how about
fertility treatments.
The blood pregnancy test is
frequently called a beta
because the test measures the beta chain portion of the hCG hormone molecule.
you tell me what you see and then I’ll tell you what I see.” There on the
Tiffany’s ultrasound.
screen were two dark sacs beating in sync, 117 beats per minute. My relief and happiness were put on hold as I began to think of what could go wrong now. It had taken so long to get to this point; I (my body) didn’t want to be the cause of these two not making it into the world, so I took care of myself — ate healthy, exercised lightly, and prayed a lot.
“There on the screen were two dark sacs beating in sync, 117 beats per minute.” It wasn’t always easy, and I started having contractions at 31 weeks, but I didn’t have any complications and had a lot to be thankful for throughout the pregnancy. At 35 weeks and 6 days, I gave birth to a
Shady Grove Fertility
39
sHAvon
Shavon’s Story: if at first you don’t succeed... Diagnosis: mALE FACTOR Treatment path: IVF with icsi
In the first two years we were married we weren’t always trying to get pregnant — we were still figuring marriage out — but at some point we decided that it was time. And time for me meant charting my temperatures and using ovulation sticks, Pre-Seed and Softcups trying to make it happen. But nothing happened. Nothing happened month after
there was an issue with either of us.
We went through a first cycle and
month. I can’t even describe the
My test came back normal, but Joe’s
it was awful — four days after a our
disappointment one feels each
test was not. The test determined
blastocyst stage transfer of two
month when Aunt Flo visits, and
that he was infertile. We convinced
embryos (we called them Bunsen
knowing that you have to wait at least
ourselves that Joe had done the
and Beaker) I started bleeding
two more weeks to try again and wait
test incorrectly, and instead of using
heavily and bled for 16 days. At that
at least two more after that just to
the sample right way, he had in fact
time I remember just clinging to any
know if you’re successful. The wait is
waited 30 seconds longer than what
hope that maybe Bunsen stuck but
the hardest part.
was required and that’s why the
that I was losing Beaker, or hope
results were negative.
that I had some sort of tear and that
During the wait, you convince
our embryos were fine. But then I
yourself that every tinge or change is
Basically we were trying to convince
started taking home pregnancy tests
related to being pregnant, no matter
ourselves that it was anything but
and the hope started to fade. By
how obscure the feeling. I remember
infertility, but two tests later and we
beta day I already knew the answer.
reading on some website that clear
still had the same result — we were
urine was a sign of pregnancy, and
infertile. Joe mentioned his tests to
Dr. Sagoskin then suggested
of course that was all that I needed.
his doctor during a check-up, and
that I have my fibroids removed
I held on to that site, even as I was
the doctor referred us to Dr. Arthur
before we try a second cycle to
feeling the symptoms of Aunt Flo,
Sagoskin’s at Shady Grove Fertility.
increase our chances of success.
but when you want something so badly you hold on to anything just to
having the surgery presented its
get by. My husband and I held on to
with Dr. Sagoskin, and during the
own set of complications with
each other and held on to our dream
follow-up testing we were diagnosed
scarring and healing, but I knew
of a baby.
with severe male factor and fibroids
that it was something that I had to
(non-cancerous tumors) on my uterus.
do. Dr. Sagoskin recommended me
Although this was upsetting, mostly
to a surgeon and scheduled the
we were just happy to have some
consultation the same day as my
answers and a treatment option.
negative beta. I was determined to
The ups and downs
move forward.
“My husband and I held on to each other and held on to our dream of a baby.” Infertility discovery
40
I remember him telling us that We went in for an initial consultation
We were told our best and only chance to conceive was to try IVF
We tried month after month, but
with ICSI. We moved forward despite
Aunt Flo reared her ugly head. Finally
my fibroids because they were
we decided that we should take
determined to be in a location that
some at-home fertility tests to see if
would not impede implantation.
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
I had an MRI which showed several fibroids, six in total, that they were in my uterine cavity and had to be removed via a laparotomy myomectomy, essentially taken out through a 6’’ bikini incision. I
later. The toughest thing for me during and after the surgery was not knowing how long we’d have to wait, but how long before we could try again. Luckily, six weeks after
“On ‘Beta Day’, my nurse Paige called me and told me that I was more than a little pregnant with a beta of 914.”
the surgery we were cleared to
amazing team of Dr. Sagoskin and Paige. It amazes me that Nico has
Shavon
scheduled the surgery three weeks
only been with us for five months, but we can’t imagine our lives without him. We are complete and we couldn’t have done it without Shady Grove Fertility.
start anew.
Shavon’s newborn.
So what do I tell someone? Run, Even though the fibroids were
don’t walk, to Shady Grove Fertility
removed, I wanted to do more.
— you will be so glad that you did.
So I lost some weight and started
Know that it won’t always be easy.
acupuncture, going to Pulling Down
In fact, it’s one of the hardest things
the Moon weekly to try and improve
you’ll ever do. But when you see
the blood flow to my uterus. Three
that little person for the first time,
months after the fibroid surgery, we
be it ultrasound or holding their tiny
were taking birth control pills to prep
Life now
for our next cycle.
Life after treatment is very busy.
Grateful for every shot in your hips
We have 2 dogs, a cat and a happy
or thighs, grateful for every blood
healthy 5-month-old, Nico. We work
draw, grateful for every monitoring
in a "divide-and-conquer" mode. I’ll
appointment, grateful for this
pump, Joe feeds, we get the dogs
wonderful being that you helped
out, cat and dogs fed, Nico bathed
create, and grateful to every doctor
and dressed and shower and dress
or nurse who helped you
ourselves, and if anything needs to
get there.
Second Time’s a Charm The second cycle went much more smoothly, but I made my husband hide all of the home pregnancy tests. I didn’t want to know until the day of our beta, but two days before the test, I awoke to horrible cramping. I was afraid that it was Aunt Flo or worse, a repeat of the first cycle. I begged him to let me take an pregnancy test, so I went in alone while he sat on the other side of the door. The result came up immediately, and said that we were pregnant! I broke down in tears. Joe heard me crying on the other side
little hands, you’ll be so grateful.
be cut it’s the showers for Daddy and Mommy. Even though I’m a
Shavon and her baby, Nico.
mess at times, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m so lucky and blessed to have two great loves in my life, and Nico is perfect. We’re delighted to witness his every milestone. He just started giggling and is rolling over on his own.
of the door and feared the worse,
What we’d tell someone
but was surprised when I emerged
One of my close friends from
holding a positive test. However we
elementary school recently revealed
reminded ourselves not to get too
that she suffered from PCOS — she
excited and to wait for the beta to
told me after she saw that I had liked
confirm it. On “Beta Day”, my nurse,
the Shady Grove Fertility page on
Paige, called me and told me that I
Facebook. Honestly, I couldn’t stop
was more than a little pregnant with
talking to her about it and our own
a beta of 914.
infertility issues. We owe a lot to our Shady Grove Fertility
41
Jeremy
Jeremy’s story: Infertility From A Man’s View Diagnosis: male factor Treatment: IVF
I’m writing this story because I want people to know that even though our journey revolves around male factor infertility, WE, as husband and wife, dealt with my infertility. It affected both of us equally, and we both supported each other fully throughout the whole ordeal, as we will continue to support each other through the rest of our lives. Fertility fact
They say everyone must go through
her feet touched the floor, to using
trials and tribulations in their lives,
conception tools such as Preseed
There is no best sex position
but not many can understand the
Lubricant, Instead Cups and having
to conceive a baby. While the
amount of feelings and emotions
the “Baby-maker” pillow to help
goal is to have the sperm as
that run through your body and
elevate her hips! And to those
close to the cervix as possible,
mind when a doctor tells you,
thinking a casual headstand helps,
in general, the sexual position
“you’re infertile.” I’d always seen
trust us, it’s not pretty, and she’s
you choose will not have any
stories about couples who had
a gymnast!
bearing on your chances
successfully gone through infertility,
of conception.
and it felt like almost 99% of the
own, and this kind of situation
"Not many can understand the amount of feelings and emotions that run through your body and mind when a doctor tells you, 'you’re infertile.'"
was never something I’d thought I
Frustrated enough, we finally sought
would have to confront. I married
out the professional assistance of
Jessi in the summer of 2009, but
Jessi’s OB/GYN to try to find out
we were already certain a family is
what, if anything, we were doing
what we wanted. Jessi had even
wrong. Jessi was instructed to go
stopped birth control before we
and have an HSG test to see if her
said “I do” because we knew that if
tubes were blocked, or if there were
fate decided we were going to be
any uterine abnormalities that were
parents, we were more than ready.
causing an issue. He also gave us
Trying Every Technique in the Book
the forms for me to get a semen
time it was due to the female having problems. It almost seemed improbable to have the guy causing Jeremy and his wife, Jessi.
all the fuss, especially me! I’ve always wanted children of my
We started trying, and for 15 months
make appointments for both tests
we did not have the best of luck.
and ended up making them for the
We exhausted every method in
same day; hers in the morning, and
the book; all the way from tracking
mine in the afternoon.
her basal body temperature every morning at the same time before
42
analysis. We called around to try and
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
A week later, while I was at work, Jessi went to hear the results.
I thought to myself "What do people
wreck all day. Then the phone call
do in this situation? Do they adopt,
came through. This was it. I was
or do they just give up?" In my mind,
anticipating all the possible senarios
the latter was top of the list. I thought
I was going to hear. Everything was
that nothing else could be done and
fine. We were ok. We were just off by
there was no help out there.
a few days. Something else... When I finally heard her voice, Jessi didn’t
One of the hardest parts of this
sound like all was well. In fact, there
whole thing had to be that when
was sadness in her voice to say, “I
I looked to some of my friends
need to come in and talk to you.”
for support, they passed it off as
What could it be? Once again, never
“Tough luck, bro,” “That sucks,
did I think it was me, naïve I know.
what are you doing this weekend?”
Blindsided by the Results The semen analysis had come back with life-changing results. My sperm had a low morphology rate, a low motility rate, and a very low healthy count; in other words, it was genetic, and there was literally a 1% chance
it. I broke into tears as I wondered,
normal parameters for the three major indicators to sperm quality: count, motility and morphology.
it seemed like everyone else around us was getting pregnant without any kind of complication, some without a plan or want in the world.
Count (how many)
>20 million
where they told us to wait three weeks and have another semen analysis done, just to be 100% positive the results weren’t skewed. They weren’t.
“Now what.” We never thought this
“Help Us Have a Baby”
was something that could happen
We had our first consultation with
to us as she was 22 and I was 24. We
Dr. Jeanne O’Brien in October of
were both healthy young adults that
2010. Neither of us knew what to
literally only “let loose” once a week
expect. Talk about awkward and
and went out to the bar for a couple
embarrassing: I mean how do you
of drinks.
ask a complete stranger, “Help us
“We never thought this was something that could happen to us as she was 22 and I was 24. We were both healthy young adults. ”
analysis. Below are the
did make me feel less of a man. Plus
Grove Fertility in Frederick, MD
and emotion overwhelmed me. I lost
should include a semen
combined with me being the issue,
Jessi’s OB/GYN referred to us Shady
the entire world stopped spinning,
Every infertility work-up
did you?” To be honest, all of that
fashioned way.
fallen out from underneath me, that
fertility Fact
“You didn’t really want kids anyways,
of us getting pregnant the old-
It seriously felt like the ground had
Jeremy
Needless to say, I was a nervous
Motility (moving)
>50%
Morphology (shaped correctly)
>4%
have a baby?” Thankfully, doing just that was the best thing we ever did. Dr. O’Brien was very professional, but also very understanding that we were confused and unsure of what was being said. She explained
Shady Grove Fertility
43
Jeremy
Fertility fact The sperm
regeneration cycle takes about 74 days. Sperm are living cells within the male body and are subject to whatever conditions the rest of the body is exposed to throughout their maturation cycle. Extreme temperatures, smoking, drug use and poor diet can all impact the quality of sperm.
everything in a way that we could
pregnancy. We understood the risk
comprehend, and put everything on
of transferring two and having twins,
the table to show us exactly what
but the way we looked at it, we
options we had to consider.
would have two miracles.
She explained that IVF was one of
Two Little Miracles
the best options for us. She told us
While our nurse told us about
that after reviewing our evaluation
waiting two weeks before we
and considering our age, we had
would come back and having our
about a 66% chance of success with
pregnancy blood test, the suspense
IVF, 10% chance of success with IUI
was killing us. On Thanksgiving
and less than a 1% chance trying
night, Jessi couldn’t wait any longer.
naturally. We left feeling better than
She went out and bought a home
we did when we arrived, and with a
pregnancy test. When we saw that
lot to think about. After more tears
positive line replace the test line we
were shed we knew what we had to
broke into tears once again, but this
do. IVF was the ONLY option, and,
time they were tears of joy.
at this point, we were willing to try anything to be parents.
Jeremy and Jessi, Spring 2011
“We had about a 66% chance of success with IVF, 10% chance of success with IUI and less than a 1% chance trying naturally. After more tears were shed we knew what we had to do. IVF was the ONLY option.” We started the process almost immediately. I commend Jessi every day for what she did for our family. I mean, here it was, my fault that she couldn’t get pregnant and she had to go through numerous bloodwork appointments, 30-odd injections, egg retrieval, and finally the embryo transfer. She had 21 eggs retrieved and 13 fertilized. We decided to transfer two embryos to help increase our chances of
44
20 paths to positive: Real Patients Share Inspiring stories of hope
We thank Shady Grove Fertility every day for this miracle of life, or rather, lives. Our twins were born in the Summer of 2011 and we couldn’t be happier. There is no way that we would be here if it weren’t for the amazing people working for Shady Grove Fertility. We are so grateful, and hope that aspiring parents that have run out of hope can find their miracle too with the help of Shady Grove Fertility.
Marilyn
Marilyn’s Story: Finding hope abroad Diagnosis: Advanced age Treatment: international Donor egg
After trying to conceive on our own for one year in 2005, we were referred to a fertility center in Ottawa, Canada. Being diagnosed with infertility issues was emotionally draining and very stressful. We were told we could try IVF but the success rate for us was only 15% and we did not feel that the cost of the procedure was worth the risk. We tried insemination for two years
During the orientation, we met
such beautiful gift. There's no doubt
with another fertility center, but
with our team: doctor, nurse,
in our minds, Shady Grove Fertility
this was not successful. After trying
donor coordinator, and finance
is the best place to go for couples
on our own again for another year
coordinator. Our first visit to Shady
having trouble conceiving.
with no success, we were referred
Grove Fertility was in March 2012. It
back to the Ottawa fertility center.
was a full day — meeting our team,
We are happy to announce that we
At this time, we were offered our
going for tests and going over
had our healthy baby girl on March 7,
choices: proceeding with IVF with
details of what we would expect in
2013 and we are entirely grateful to
a 3% success rate or egg donation
the months to come. It was exciting
everyone who had a part in making
treatment with about a 65% chance
and emotionally challenging at the
our dreams a reality. Our lives will be
of success and a full refund if
same time. After three months of
changed forever and that is thanks to
treatment was not successful. For
hormone medication and further
Shady Grove Fertility!
us, the egg donation program was
testing (ultrasounds, etc.), we
the best option. Egg donation
received the call that we would
treatment is not readily available in
be returning in July 2012 for the
Canada, so our physician quickly
embryo transfer.
referred us to Shady Grove Fertility’s International Donor Egg Program to
Seeing everyone once again was
get the process started.
like visiting family, which made
"Egg donation treatment is not readily available in Canada, so our physician quickly referred us to Shady Grove Fertility." traveling abroad The experience was an amazing one from beginning to end. Coming from Ottawa, Canada, we did not know what to expect, but having Lisa as our Patient Liaison really helped us with all the questions that we had during our orientation and after the procedure.
that day for us more relaxed and
fertility Fact Shady Grove Fertility’s
International Donor Egg Program has helped hundreds
of patients access treatment from
comfortable. Talking with them and
over 35 countries where
seeing how excited they were for us
IVF and egg donation is not as
made the day even more special!
widely available.
The embryo transfer was quick, and then the real work for us began.
Marilyn and family.
The Answer we were waiting for After seven years of trying to conceive, we were anxiously waiting to see if the transfer was successful. Two weeks later, we got the news that we were expecting! The feeling is like nothing we have ever felt and now we have been blessed with
Shady Grove Fertility
45
Wyomissing Harrisburg
Chesterbrook
PENNSYLVANIA
RE
Towson
DELAWA
Hagerstown
ND MARYLA
Bel Air
Frederick
VIR
Full Service
MA RY LA GI
Columbia Rockville
ND
NI
Baltimore Harbor
A
Satellite
Glen Burnie
Leesburg
Washington, DC Sibley Hospital
Annapolis
Washington, DC K Street
Fair Oaks Annandale
Dunkirk
Woodbridge
Waldorf
Salisbury
Shady Grove Fertility is one of the largest and most successful fertility centers in the United States with over 20 locations across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, DC. With 28 physicians, our fertility program performs more IVF and donor egg treatment cycles each year than any other center in the country. The dedicated clinical staff at Shady Grove Fertility provide each patient with an individualized treatment plan, unique financial options and guidance throughout their journey.
To learn more about treatment and financial options, please call
866-405-9955 Or visit
www.ShadyGroveFertility.com