Partners in Fertility – It’s “Our” Problem, We’re in This Together
Ladies (and gents if I’ve converted some of you), today I’m so excited to introduce you to you fellow Warrior Women Jenn Sebestyen!
Jenn and I met online in the same blogging network that I met Susie, our Warrior Woman from the other week. Jenn is a remarkable woman who’s beaten the odds and has a beatiful family to show for it: take that #Infertility!
Join me please in welcoming the fabulous Jenn to Bumps to Baby and read her journey to babies below!
Tell your story. What was your fertility diagnosis? Did you have one?
Our diagnosis was a little different than others that have been featured on Warrior Women Wednesday. My husband was diagnosed with low sperm count. I say it was “our” diagnosis though because fertility issues are a team sport. It takes two to make a baby…it’s not his issue, or my issue, it’s our issue.
How many years did you try? Ovulation calendars? IUI? IVF?
We tried for one year on our own. About 6 months in, I started tracking my cycles with an ovulation calendar. We knew something was likely wrong since we seemed to be doing everything right and still every month my period came. It was also quite obvious that I had a short luteal phase…which isn’t a huge problem, but it does take hormone meds to fix it. Our insurance wouldn’t cover any fertility treatments until we had tried for 1 year though.
Once we finally could get to a specialist, we tried 2 cycles of IUI. Both failed. The doctor basically told us our chances were slim with this method, so we decided to move straight to IVF. We harvested 15 eggs, 7 embryos survived for a day 5 transfer of which we transferred just one. (Side note: I was also diagnosed with a bicornuate uterus so the doc thought I would have a very hard time carrying multiples and was adamant we only transfer one embryo). Luckily, that embryo took and became our son Matthew who is almost 9 years old. We froze the other 6 embryos.
When we decided to try for baby #2, we went through 3 IVF cycles with the frozen embryos (transferring 1, 1, and then 2…the other two didn’t survive the “thaw.”) All failed. So, onward we went with another fresh cycle. I can’t remember how many eggs we harvested this time, but 3 fertilized and only 2 survived until day 5 transfer. After so many failed attempts prior, we decided to transfer them both in hopes that just 1 would “stick.” Even with my bicornuate uterus issues, the doc agreed this was our best chance. Lo and behold, we now have twin girls, Caroline and Katherine, who just turned 5!
I have to say that I totally understand now how couples end up with 4, 5, or 6 babies at once. After so many failures, we might have even decided to transfer 3 if there had been 3 to transfer. So, I totally understand how couples get into that situation.
How has infertility changed you?
It has made me appreciate the miracle of birth so much more! So many factors have to go JUST RIGHT in order to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. It has also made us a stronger couple. Some of our lowest lows were during these times of trying to conceive and yet we got through it together.
What advice do you have to women with infertility?
Reach out to others. Infertility is nothing to be ashamed about and it affects so many of us. It was so helpful to me to talk with others who had gone through the process. It’s a very emotional and nerve wracking time and just learning what to expect from others calmed my nerves a bit.
What is your favorite quote to pick you up?
The best protection any woman can have…is courage. ~Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Favorite Warrior Song?
I’ve always liked Shania Twain’s, Man, I Feel Like a Woman.
Also, Katy Perry’s, Roar, is a good one.
Thank you Jennifer for your honesty, poise and perfect reminders on how this journey is truly at TEAM sport!