As a part of our 20th Anniversary celebration, we are asking patients, staff and our physicians to think of their own story with Shady Grove Fertility. Whether it is a great memory or successful fertility experience or someone still on their journey to parenthood – everyone that has walked through our doors has made an impact, and we hope that you can say the same of us.
Dr. Eric Widra, of our Washington, DC office, was eager to share his story.
I still remember my first IVF cycle as part of Shady Grove Fertility in 1996. I remember her personality and care vividly. As a young physician right out of fellowship, there is incredible anxiety over the trust patients give you. Do I know enough? Will I measure up to my mentors and colleagues? Why do they trust me with this instead of an older, more experienced doctor?
She was 35 and had been through failed IUI’s. For many reasons, the decision to move to IVF was more difficult in 1996 than it is now. It wasn’t nearly as successful, and embryo transfer decisions were more complex. But they trusted my advice and started their IVF cycle. With just 4 physicians and 3 offices, it was commonplace for us to come in for our own retrievals and transfers. I put on my best show of confidence as we went through it together, transferring 2 embryos on day 3.
Continuing to see patients and work over the next two weeks, the anticipation of their first pregnancy test grew. It was positive. Two weeks later, we saw the twins on ultrasound. I can still see myself fist-pumping the air when I got the first positive hCG.
So much has changed in the 15 years since my 1st IVF success, but one thing remains the same. Every afternoon, when I log into the day’s results in our electronic record, I feel the same anticipation for every pregnancy test. I’ve had many more fist-pumps and the occasional one-man wave over the years, and feel privileged to share this extraordinary journey with each of our patients.
So whether your story is fist-pump inspiring or a little more sentimental we ask you to share your story to help encourage those that are just starting out on their journey and looking for support. And for those looking for inspiration, click here to read our stories. Thank you.
