Kaitlyn & Don

My life had been a battle since I started my cycle at age 13. Countless doctor visits. None of which could tell me what was wrong. Why did I only have a cycle every 3-6 months? I was continuously told it would work itself out, and had birth control pill after birth control pill shoved down my throat. I eventually got tired of taking the pill, so I stopped. I went 18 months without a cycle and was then given medication to induce it. This cycle of no period and drugs to induce it went on for years. At one point, around 20 years old, I was told I should just go ahead and have a hysterectomy because I couldn’t have children anyways. This was devastating. To have multiple doctors tell me a family was never in my future without actually performing any worthwhile tests.

After 10 years together, my now husband and I got married. I had been off the pill for all 10 years and no sign of having a cycle. No positive pregnancy tests. I decided there had to be more I could do to try and start a family together. My cousin mentioned Shady Grove Fertility, so I decided to give it a try. Worst case, they’d tell me what I’ve been told my whole life, right?

Finding fertility care at SGF

And so, the process began. From my very first video appointment, I didn’t feel dismissed. I felt heard, and that was refreshing. They immediately ordered all sorts of tests to get to the bottom of my issues. My husband got tested as well just to make sure any treatment for me was worthwhile and he didn’t need treatment as well. Lo and behold, they found I had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

I didn’t quite know what this meant for us, but they took their time and explained it all in a manner that was comprehensible. They started me on a regimen of medications to get my body to actually ovulate. We had to travel 4 hours round trip every 3 days to monitor my cycle, but the fact that everyone there was so welcoming and positive every time we went made it worth it. We started by trying timed intercourse, with no prevail. The staff was so reassuring even though we got a negative result. They didn’t let us feel like it was a lost cause. I spoke with my doctor and the financial educator at SGF and asked if it was possible that we skip the next two cycles of timed intercourse and go straight to intrauterine insemination (IUI). Luckily this was approved by insurance, and we gave it a go. Another round of medications and then the scheduled IUI. We were so incredibly lucky that it took on the first try! To see those two pink lines was a miracle. We now have a healthy, happy, three-week-old baby boy.

Shared joy

None of it would have been possible without the caring staff at SGF. I am forever grateful for them getting to the bottom of my fertility issues, treating them quickly, and showing compassion the entire way. They always made sure to check on my mental wellbeing at every appointment. The excitement throughout the office when we got our positive pregnancy test was so amazing. They shared our joy with us as if they were family. Infertility is a long, hard road, but SGF makes it a little more bearable. I want to give a huge thank you for making our dreams come true.