Name: Samantha 

Age: 40

Time TTC: 2 years, 3 months

Diagnoses / Treatment: IVF, Endometriosis, Female Infertility, Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Strategies: Exercise

My fertility story

Ever since I can remember I yearned to have children. I grew up to become a medical sonographer specialising in obstetric ultrasound. Every day I would go to work and perform ultrasounds on happy couples looking in awe at the little miracles they had made. “That will be me one day” I constantly thought to myself.

It took a long time to find the right person to settle down with. 3 weeks before my 39th birthday I met my wonderful husband, Bill, who I married in 2010. I felt very lucky indeed. But my biological clock was ticking and more than ever I was desperate to have a child. Bill and I tried without success for 6 months. I was approaching 40 and scared of leaving things too late. We decided to seek assistance.

We saw a fertility specialist and a diagnostic laparoscopy revealed that due to endometriosis both of my tubes were completely blocked. There was no way I was going to conceive naturally. And the road of IVF began….

I was excited rather than apprehensive to start IVF. I was in with a chance that our dream may come true. I remember the day, early visits to the clinic for blood tests. I remember the injections and pelvic pain that my stimulated ovaries gave me. I remember the ultrasounds, the egg retrieval, Bill’s short but sweet contribution and finally being given the go-ahead for an embryo transfer. Above all, I remember the fear that the IVF cycle wasn’t going to work. What if, after all this invested hope, pain and money we remained childless? My IVF cycle had produced two embryos. One was implanted, the other frozen. I consoled myself with the thought that if this first embryo didn’t lead to a successful pregnancy at least we had another chance.

I am truly one of the lucky ones. My fresh embryo transfer was successful. I was at work when I received the call from the fertility centre – “you are pregnant” they said. I felt incredulous. I couldn’t believe the words I had just heard. Me…. pregnant…. a true miracle. I heard those beautiful words the day before I turned 40.

Our beautiful baby girl arrived at 32 weeks. It was the best day of my life. It seemed surreal that I was finally a mum. I couldn’t take my eyes off her – she was perfect. Molly spent 4 weeks in special care and then she was well enough to come home with us.

When Molly was 8 months old we decided it was time to try IVF once more. We had a single frozen embryo and as I had recently turned 41 I didn’t want to wait too much longer. If this embryo did not lead to a successful pregnancy we thought we may try another complete IVF cycle. The experience this time was far more stressful than I had anticipated. I thought it would be easier to undergo the embryo transfer the second time around as I already had a beautiful daughter but I was wrong. The transfer itself went smoothly but then the worrying began. Surely I wouldn’t be lucky enough for this second cycle to work, it was a miracle that I had one child through IVF. Was I being selfish hoping and praying for a second child when so many women have tried so hard to conceive without success? The ensuing two weeks were the longest I’ve ever experienced. The day I received the phone call from the clinic I was once again at work. I had convinced myself over the last 2 weeks that it wasn’t going to be good news this time. There is no way I could get that lucky. But I did. I was pregnant again.

Our gorgeous son arrived at 37 weeks. We were both very unwell after the birth and spent a few weeks in the hospital. We finally went home when Tom was 3 weeks old – just in time for my 42nd birthday.

Not a day goes by that I don’t look at my children and count my lucky stars. I still find it amazing that we made these beautiful children. We love them to the moon and back.

I am proof that miracles do happen.

The lowest point in my journey and what helped me recover from it

I found the most difficult time was the period between embryo transfer and the pregnancy test result. Up until then, there were daily blood tests, injections….things that made me feel I was doing something proactive to become pregnant. Then all of a sudden there was a 2-week gap when there was no physical contact with the clinic, nothing I could do except wait….There was nothing much I could do except cross the days off the calendar and keep praying!

Where I am right now in my journey

I now have 2 beautiful, healthy children, both conceived through IVF. They are 8 and 7 years of age.
I am truly blessed.

What I learned from my fertility experience

We are so very lucky to have access to fertility treatments. Without IVF I would never have become a mother.

If I had to start my fertility journey again: What I would do differently

Nothing

My favourite resources about fertility (websites, books, blogs or articles)

I didn’t actually use any resources when I was going through my journey. I guess my career as an obstetric sonographer provided me with a lot of the background knowledge I needed and my colleagues were great sources of information and support.

What I would tell someone else going through infertility right now

• Try and keep a positive approach to your journey (although this may be hard at times).
• Don’t be scared of seeking help – physically and mentally – to get you through the journey.
• Talk about your feelings, don’t keep things bottled up.
• Include your partner – let them know how you’re feeling – lean on them and let them lean on you.
  Take care and I wish you all the best for a successful outcome.

My favourite inspiring fertility quote 

You are so much stronger than you think