My husband and I dated in college, but we broke up only to get back together 11 years later. I like to joke that perhaps if we got married younger, we wouldn’t have needed fertility treatment to start our family, but then we wouldn’t have known we were both carriers for cystic fibrosis. So everything really does happen for a reason.
Since we were older when we got married, we started trying for a family right away. We were really hoping for a honeymoon baby. After a few months of trying, I sought out help because I felt something might be wrong.
Looking for Answers
I found a center in Long Island where we went through genetic testing and found out we were both carriers for cystic fibrosis. In vitro fertilization (IVF) with PGT-M would be our only option to ensure we didn’t transfer an embryo with cystic fibrosis.
8 IVF cycles and multiple fertility centers later, we still weren’t pregnant. We moved to donor egg treatment and none of our embryos even made it to the blastocyst stage. I felt like every doctor I went to just kept using the same protocol. Treatment felt like I was in a fertility factory and no one would listen to my concerns. I had done a lot of research on endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA), a test that helps avoid implantation failure by establishing the best day for embryo transfer. When I brought it up to my doctor, he completely dismissed me saying, “nope, doesn’t pertain to you.”
Treatment was also taking a serious toll on our bank account. No one in the New York area offered any type of guarantee program, but then my therapist told me about Shady Grove Fertility’s Shared Risk 100% Refund Program.
Coming to Shady Grove Fertility
Everything changed for the better when we came to Shady Grove Fertility for our first appointment. The entire staff was amazing, especially Mallory, Abby, and of course Dr. Sasson. He reviewed my medical history and suggested we try endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) with donor egg. I knew in that instant that I was in the right place. Dr. Sasson listened to us and for once, I didn’t feel like I was in a factory. I finally felt hopeful.
The ERA results indicated that I needed one additional day of progesterone! Looks like it did “pertain to me” after all and on our very first transfer with SGF, we were PREGNANT! I had never been pregnant before in my whole life. I couldn’t believe it actually worked on our first try at SGF.
Nine months later, we welcomed a perfect and healthy little boy.
Advice for Others
Do your research. There’s a lot of information out there so it’s important for you to be educated about your journey. My research led us to SGF, where we found the Shared Risk 100% Refund Program and Dr. Sasson who knew ERA would make the difference in my protocol.
It’s so important to be your own advocate. I felt that my previous fertility centers did not have my best interest at heart, so I left. I kept changing centers until I found the right place. Trust your gut. It’s not okay to feel like you’re in a factory. Dr. Sasson provided wonderful care in a personalized way.
Also, find someone to talk to about your experience. Find a support group or therapist. You’d be surprised at how many people are dealing with infertility, which is why it was important for me to share my story.
Read more inspiring patient stories: here. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with an SGF physician, please contact our New Patient Call Center at 1-877-971-7755 or fill out this brief online form.
