Ashley & Bryan

My husband and I are high school sweethearts. He’s an elevator mechanic and I go to school for nursing while bartending night shifts. We always knew we wanted a family someday, but in the back of my mind, I knew we would have trouble. I’ve always had irregular cycles and never used birth control. We were married in 2016 and started trying to grow our family. During that year, I had a miscarriage from my very first pregnancy. The first time I had ever seen two pink lines. I was devastated. I had a doctor tell me “you’re young, keep trying,” but I KNEW something was wrong.

Coming to Shady Grove Fertility

So, after a year, I came to Shady Grove Fertility and saw Dr. McKeeby at the Annapolis, MD office. I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) right away and told I didn’t ovulate naturally every month. We started the process of intrauterine insemination (IUI).

I took letrozole and I did not respond well. The dose was upped and still no ovulation. I began Gonal-F injections and still couldn’t get a mature follicle. This process lasted a while until Dr. McKeeby and I both agreed it was time to move forward with in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Starting IVF

My first egg retrieval resulted in eleven eggs, and of those eggs, only one made it to the blastocyst stage. It was transferred, but unfortunately, that cycle failed.

My second egg retrieval resulted in nineteen eggs, and two made it to the blastocyst stage. They were transferred, but that cycle also failed.

I was crushed. I met with Dr. McKeeby and we both agreed that something else was wrong. Do we need donor egg or donor sperm? Are my eggs bad at 28? We proceeded with more testing. A blood test called a karyotype test revealed my husband and I both carry a balanced translocation on the same chromosome. I’m not sure of the odds but let’s just say you’d have a better chance at winning the Powerball than this particular scenario. I cried A LOT. I thought my hopes of having a child were over.

My husband and Dr. McKeeby encouraged one more time. I was tired and felt defeated, but I agreed. One more time.

Thirty-six eggs were retrieved, and we FINALLY sent nineteen blastocysts over to be PGS tested. Six came back normal and my first frozen embryo transfer (FET) was a success.

The good news

When I got the call that was I pregnant, I was happy, yet worried because I knew my hCG levels had to increase properly. I didn’t actually relax and take it in until I saw the heartbeat fluttering away at my 6-week appointment. That was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.

My pregnancy was a breeze! I think after all I went through trying to get pregnant, I deserved a nice easy pregnancy (haha). I felt great the entire time and I worked up until a week before delivery.

On December 2, 2018, we welcomed our son Grant Ray Buckreis into the world via c-section. I love being a mom. I thank god every day for blessing us with such a perfect little boy. Some days are tough but it’s all completely worth it.

If it wasn’t for Dr. McKeeby, without a doubt, I would not have a biological child. He was optimistic and gave me hope to try for one last cycle. Dr. McKeeby had a way of making me feel calm and reassured. My nurse, Beth, was amazing. She answered all of my emails, along with a million of my questions and concerns. She even emailed me to check in once I was pregnant to see how the pregnancy was going. That meant a lot to my husband and me. The staff at the Annapolis office is wonderful and you truly feel like they want success just as much as you do. From getting my blood drawn to the many many ultrasounds I’ve had, I always felt comfortable.

Advice to future patients

This process wasn’t always smiles and optimism. It was one of the hardest things my husband and I have ever gone through as a couple. I doubted my body, the medicine, and the process. I definitely hit a low point where I thought maybe motherhood just wasn’t going to happen for me. But, actively doing something about it was the only thing that made me feel better. Fighting infertility and doubt one appointment at a time. I talked to my friends and my family and joined Shady Grove Fertility’s awesome Facebook page.

I am forever grateful to the entire SGF Annapolis staff. We love our baby boy so much. I would often read success stories for hope and I still can’t believe I get to write my own. For those of you reading this, looking for a tiny ounce of hope, I hope this helps you to keep trying for your dream.