Jessica & Jimmy

Jimmy and I met 12 years ago through work, quickly becoming friends. We soon realized we had a lot in common and loved to do the same things in our free time. Most of all we loved spending time with one another. After a few months of getting to know each other, we began dating. A year and a half later we moved in together and the following year we bought our first home together. In April of 2008, Jimmy proposed to me under a waterfall in St. Lucia. One year later we were married on the beautiful white sands of Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos.

Growing our family

Before we got married we had discussed having children and both decided it was something we wanted. Jimmy already had two children from a previous relationship, a son and a daughter, and seeing the love he had for them made me want to experience that as well. We knew it would be an uphill battle as Jimmy had a vasectomy when he was 22 following the birth of his daughter. After we got married, we quickly began the process of starting our family. Jimmy had a reverse vasectomy, which was successful, however, after 3 years of trying with no success, we knew it was time to seek help.

We met with Dr. McKeeby in the Shady Grove Fertility Annapolis office and were told our best option would be IVF using ICSI. Excited to start we quickly encountered our first setback. Previously believing my insurance would cover the procedures, we were devastated to find out that because of Jimmy’s vasectomy any fertility treatments would, in fact, not be covered. After several months of going back and forth with the insurance, they finally agreed to pay for one cycle. I thought well one cycle is all we needed!

Starting treatment

In August of 2013, we began that cycle. It was overwhelming at first, with so many shots and appointments, but keeping my eye on the end result helped me get through. I responded well and had a smooth egg retrieval. By day 5 after the retrieval, we had a perfect embryo to transfer and one to freeze. That first two-week wait was brutal. My mind would not rest. Sadly before the two-week wait was even up I started bleeding. The beta test confirmed I was not pregnant.

Devastated, we made a plan to try again as soon as possible, however, life had other plans. My job became unstable and I knew I could not focus on getting pregnant when my professional life was in chaos. For 2 years our little embryo waited for us. Following that first failed cycle, I began acupuncture, which I continued to do through all my cycles. I still credit starting that with helping me get through what was to come, including helping me get pregnant.

In 2015 my job finally stabilized and we could return our focus to getting pregnant. Because my insurance would not cover our cycles we used Shady Grove Fertility’s Shared Risk 100% Refund Program. Using this program gave us peace of mind knowing if things didn’t work out we would continue to have more chances without having to pay more. Oddly enough I also discovered my insurance would pay for all my medications with only a small copay out of our pockets.

In June of 2015, we began our first frozen embryo transfer (FET). After another brutal 2 week wait, we got the call we had been waiting for. I was pregnant! I couldn’t believe it! Sadly over the next 2 weeks, my numbers did not increase properly and an ultrasound confirmed that I was in fact going to miscarry.

To say we were heartbroken is an understatement. We took some time to grieve, including taking a little vacation, knowing when we returned we were going to try again. In September of 2015, I began my second fresh cycle. I responded well and had a beautiful embryo to transfer and one to freeze. Once again I went through the brutal two-week wait and once again I started bleeding. The beta confirmed I had a chemical pregnancy. This time things ended much more quickly and we immediately made plans for our next FET.

In December of 2015, we did our second FET. This time the two-week wait went much smoother and I had no bleeding whatsoever. I thought this is it! All was quickly shattered when I learned the cycle failed completely. In some ways hearing that news hurt more than learning I was going to miscarry. How is this not working? Everything was checking out ok and on paper, there was no reason I should not get pregnant!

Moving forward

In April of 2016 we met with Dr. McKeeby again and decided to change the protocol a little. I began the process of another fresh cycle and I responded great. This time we decided to put two embryos back. We knew the risks of having multiplies but it was a risk we were prepared to take. On April 17th we transferred two embryos. I remember asking the doctor who did the transfer how the embryos looked. She said they were a little slow growing, calling them morulas, but said she has seen plenty of pregnancies as a result.

Hearing that deflated me a little but I began the two-week wait with an open mind believing it was finally going to happen. Two weeks later on my 35th birthday I got the call I was pregnant and my numbers were excellent! After one more blood test to confirm the numbers doubled we had an ultrasound when we saw one beautiful heartbeat. My pregnancy went by with very few bumps and 37 weeks and 5 days later, exactly one week before Christmas, we finally had our miracle. Our little Emma Isabelle was finally here!

The roller coaster of infertility is brutal. From never seeing two pink lines month after month to having to take a leap of faith, lots of prayers, hundreds of injections, shots, anxiety, and worry of wondering if it will ever happen. I look back now and realize it was all worth it. When I look at my daughter I only see the happy ending we prayed so long for.

My advice to others

My advice if you are in the throes of infertility is to not give up. It may seem like a never-ending journey but one day, before you know it, you will have that miracle and your entire world will change in an instant. The days of researching ways to help me get pregnant are now replaced by researching all things baby. I am happy to be off that roller coaster but I truly believe being on it has only made us appreciate our little miracle even more.