Lindsey & Michael

Michael and I met in 2015 at a local Pittsburgh restaurant and bar, Mario’s, shortly after graduating from college. Neither of us realized at the time that meeting would change the course of our lives forever. After our first date, we were inseparable. We got engaged in 2019 and, after postponing our wedding two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were married on July 31, 2021. In 2023, we relocated to Wexford, Pennsylvania, excited to begin the next chapter of our lives and grow our family.

Like many couples, we always dreamed of becoming parents. We spent years building our careers and creating a stable life together, but nothing could have prepared us for the challenges we would face trying to conceive. After several months of unsuccessful attempts, I spoke with my OB/GYN, who completed routine testing and referred me to a reproductive endocrinologist. Faced with a long wait through a larger hospital system, we began researching other fertility clinics in our area.

That search led us to Shady Grove Fertility.

Finding fertility care at SGF

Not only was the Wexford office conveniently located, but the positive patient stories we read gave us hope during a time filled with uncertainty. We called to schedule a consultation and were seen within the same month, in September 2024.

Following our initial consultation, we began working with Dr. Kara Khanh-Ha D. Nguyen. From our very first appointment, we knew we had found the right physician and the right team. Dr. Nguyen was compassionate, thorough, and honest. She took the time to answer every question and carefully explained each treatment option, allowing us to feel informed and confident every step of the way.

After completing our diagnostic testing, I received a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. We decided to begin treatment with intrauterine insemination (IUI), hoping it would be the answer. Unfortunately, after three unsuccessful cycles, we were heartbroken. While each negative result was incredibly difficult, we never lost hope.

Together with Dr. Nguyen, we developed a new treatment plan and decided to move forward with in vitro fertilization (IVF). In April 2025, I underwent an egg retrieval at SGF’s Rockville, Maryland, location. We entered the retrieval feeling optimistic, and although the outcome wasn’t what we had hoped for, we were grateful to have one genetically tested normal embryo.

As we considered whether to proceed with another retrieval, additional ovarian cysts that had grown throughout treatment required further evaluation. Dr. Nguyen recommended addressing my health before moving forward, and together we decided surgery was the best next step.

I found a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, Dr. Harkins at UPMC, who specialized in excision surgery. Within weeks, I underwent surgery in May 2025. Although I was understandably nervous, I knew the procedure might finally provide the answers we had been searching for — and it did.

Following surgery, I was diagnosed with Stage IV endometriosis. The disease had affected multiple organs, including my appendix, which was removed during surgery to help prevent future complications. Receiving this diagnosis was overwhelming, but it also brought clarity. For the first time, we better understood the obstacles we had been facing throughout our fertility journey.

One embryo, one chance

With my recovery complete, Dr. Nguyen carefully tailored our frozen embryo transfer (FET) protocol to account for my diagnosis. Although the additional treatment extended our timeline, we trusted the process and remained hopeful that we were giving our embryo the very best chance to succeed. During this time, I also focused on improving my overall health through dietary changes, weekly acupuncture, and yoga.

On September 15, 2025, we returned to Rockville for the transfer of our one precious embryo.

The two-week wait felt endless, filled with cautious optimism, countless prayers, and of course McDonald’s French fries. When we finally received the phone call telling us our transfer had been successful, it was a moment we will never forget. After years of infertility, treatments, setbacks, surgery, and uncertainty, our one embryo had successfully implanted.

One of our favorite memories from Shady Grove Fertility was our graduation ceremony after our final ultrasound at 10 weeks. It was such a meaningful milestone after everything we had experienced. Every member of the team celebrated alongside us and reminded us that their support didn’t end when we graduated from the clinic. They encouraged us to stay in touch, welcomed updates about our pregnancy, and always made us feel like family.

We are forever grateful to everyone at the Wexford and Rockville locations. Dr. Nguyen’s medical expertise, compassion, and thoughtful care guided us through every difficult decision. Our nurse coordinator, Susan, was an incredible source of encouragement, kindness, and reassurance throughout the process. Together, they transformed what could have been an overwhelming experience into one where we always felt supported, heard, and cared for.

To anyone beginning their fertility journey at Shady Grove Fertility, know that you are not alone. There will be difficult days and moments. But trust your team, trust the process, and most importantly, never lose hope. Sometimes the path to parenthood looks different than we imagined — but it can lead to the greatest blessing of all.