Hello. I often ponder the idea about writing a book regarding the adventures of invitro fertilization, but then it came to me that everyone is different and not everyone's experiences would be the same. The adventure that I have to share is one of great emotion and encouragement, so here goes.

In Nov. 2008, my hubby and I were told we could not conceive "naturally" due to "unexplained infertility issues". I see now that is a very common diagnosis. Our OB explained to us we had 2 options: adoption or IVF. The costs os IVF are crazy, so after tears were shed and we had time to accept the reality of it all, we decided to look into things. It happened that my insurance covered 80% of the costs of IVF, so we had no reason not to move ahead with the process. In Jan. 2009, I began the course of IVF. First came birth control. I administered BC for about 1.5 months. In mid Feb. I began Lupron injections (in my stomach) and continued the birth control. The reasoning behind the BC was to begin a cycle. The Lupron is a hormone which stops your pituitary gland from making estrogen, thus preventing you from ovulating. In the following 2 months, I was on a stint of 2 more injections (both in my stomach) and to be honest (hinesight 20/20) it wasn't all that bad. On May 1st, my hubby and I went for the 1st of 2 procedures: this one was the taking of the mature eggs I had produced. The last 2 shots I had taken were to help with the maturation of the eggs.

At the 1st procedure, they also took my hubby's spermies. They had to be extra fresh, so the embryologist was actually standing outside the door (thank goodness my hub didn't know!). Once they ahd captures the egg/spermies, the process began. Now, normal IVF is pretty simple. Egss and Sperm are placed in a petri dish where over a period of 3-5 days, embryos are created. In our case, my hubby's spermies didn't swim. He had PLENTY of them, they were just immobile. So, they did a thing called IVF In Ex-C. This is where they pick and choose the best spermies and inject them into the egg (just a little help that's all). So...it takes it a step further.

The next day, we received a call about the outcome of the procedure. The had removed 9 mature eggs, 7 lived, and the embryos were growing away. We were scheduled to go in May 4th for procedure #2: implantation. What a day. Procedure #1 was harder: they put you under for it. Here, they have you come to the OR, get in position, the embryologist brings in your "babies" and they are inserted into your uterus. Viola. They then leaned me back (like the advice you always got: lift your hips!) and my hubby and I cried tears of joy as as prayed for the Lord to work His magic.

We waited for what seemed like an eternity and on may 15th, I traveled back to the fertility clinic for blookwork. Today was the day. I had to wait 2 hours. Oh, the thoughts that went through my head. I was overly hormonal from all the injections, my husband was at work so my mother was tagging along...but finally, the call came. "Hello mommy", she said! I tell you what, I will NEVER forget the time, day, place I was standing...it was a miracle.

Out of 27 women that were in the cycle, only 2 got pregnant. I was one of them. I can only offer hope and encouragement to all those out there who are faced with this issue. I knew God had a plan for my family, I just had to follow his lead. Even after the positive result came in, my hubby had to administer 2 months worth of progesterone shots (in my rear end) but now that I'm 7 months pregnant and doing great, I'd do it ALL over again.

Keep the faith...that's the best advice I have to offer. We tried for 4 years and look where we are now. I always here if you need an ear to lean on; I feel that's the least I could do.

Good Luck!