Samantha and her husband’s love story was years in the making, growing from childhood connection to lifelong partnership. Samantha grew up knowing her husband through her cousin, who was also his best friend. Their early memories were shaped by bowling leagues and family gatherings. After moving on from past relationships, their friendship deepened into love. In 2012, they bought a home, adopted two dogs, and began dreaming of the family they hoped to build together when the time was right.
They wanted a few years to enjoy married life, build careers, and settle into their home before starting the next chapter of growing their family. However, when they were ready to try, the journey turned out to be much more difficult than either imagined.
Confusing Diagnoses and Disappointments
When Samantha first began trying to conceive, she encountered a maze of confusing and contradictory advice. Some doctors speculated she had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but no one confirmed it with testing. Others dismissed the idea altogether, repeatedly telling her simply to “lose weight,” a hurtful oversimplification that left her feeling overlooked and frustrated.
With her gynecologist, Samantha tried Clomid and timed intercourse without success. Still, no thorough diagnostic testing was offered. Eventually, they moved to their first fertility clinic, where she finally received a clear diagnosis of PCOS and learned that her husband also had male factor infertility.
They did three rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI), a choice that was largely driven by insurance requirements. Yet Samantha and her husband were left feeling like just another number at their fertility clinic. Samantha explained, “The clinic that we were at was not exactly what we were looking for while going through this struggle. I didn’t feel like the nurses and the doctors had sympathy for people going through this.”
After their third failed IUI, the clinic’s physician bluntly told Samantha she would not move forward with further treatment unless Samantha pursued weight loss surgery, a devastating and, in Samantha’s heart, unnecessary recommendation.
Feeling defeated and desperate for better care, Samantha searched for a clinic that prioritized expertise and compassionate care. Through the Chicagoland Infertility Support Group on Facebook, she kept seeing one name again and again: Dr. Elie Hobeika at Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI).
A New Chapter at Fertility Centers of Illinois
From the very first consultation with Dr. Hobeika, Samantha knew this experience would be different. “He listened,” Samantha recalled. “He actually heard us. When I told him about what the other clinic said, he just shook his head in disbelief.”
Instead of focusing solely on Samantha’s weight, Dr. Hobeika addressed their fertility as a whole. He suggested healthy lifestyle changes to support Samantha’s overall well-being and success with treatment but made it clear that she did not need weight loss surgery to become a mother. Most importantly, he gave Samantha and her husband hope.
Dr. Hobeika started fresh with new testing and crafted a personalized IVF plan for them. By October 2022, they had a full roadmap in place, and by November, they were officially beginning their IVF cycle.
Samantha tackled the overwhelming process with fierce organization by color-coding calendars, setting alarms on her phone, and purchasing a rolling cart for medications and supplies — everything she could do to make an emotional process feel a little more manageable. “There’s no such thing as being over-organized during IVF,” she said with a laugh.
For others pursuing IVF, she suggested taking the process one day at a time, sharing, “You get this bulk order of medicine, and you have all this stuff sitting here and you’re thinking like, I can’t do this. What if I mix the medicine wrong? Or what if I miss a time frame? My husband was big on reminding me to take it one day at a time.”
The physical and emotional side effects of the medication weren’t easy to navigate, either. Samantha explained, “The medicine makes you feel a certain way, then you’re upset, and it’s just a lot to go through.” She reflected on how the side effects of the medication, combined with the emotional strain of everyday experiences, such as seeing pregnancy announcements or receiving invitations to baby showers, only intensified the challenges of going through IVF.
Throughout it all, her husband was right there by her side, administering injections and keeping spirits high. They leaned on each other, stayed focused, and allowed space for both nervousness and excitement.
When it came time for their embryo transfer, Samantha felt every emotion imaginable. Following the embryo transfer, Samantha took a home pregnancy test but kept the results a secret from her husband who preferred to wait for the official bloodwork. When the call came confirming a positive pregnancy, it felt almost surreal. After years of heartbreak and doubt, they were finally expecting their miracle!
From Fear to Joy
Pregnancy after infertility carried its own set of anxieties. Every ultrasound, every heartbeat check, every appointment was laced with excitement and anxiety. Samantha’s cautious joy carried her through, and although she faced challenges along the way, including an early delivery at 37 weeks due to placental issues, her baby boy was born healthy and strong.
Today, their little boy is an energetic, independent toddler zooming through the house on his balance bike, filling every corner of their home (and hearts) with love and laughter. Parenthood, Samantha says, is everything they dreamed of and more. “Our little IVF baby, Eli, will be 2 in July,” she shared. “He loves Bluey, his granny, sesame street and his blankie. He has a dog brother named Casper who is 16. He loves being outdoors and loves his snacks. He talks nonstop and is so incredibly smart. He is full of energy and is the best thing that has happened to us!”
Lessons Learned and Words of Wisdom
Reflecting on her journey, Samantha shared powerful lessons learned along the way saying, “Throughout the process, I learned that I am stronger than I thought I was. You have to have a thick skin to go through this. Infertility teaches you that in ways you don’t expect.” She also expressed the importance of advocacy, especially given her experience with getting a PCOS diagnosis.
Through it all, she stressed the need to take personal time for healing and to lean on a strong support system. “Be that united front,” she urged. “A great support system is everything.”
Samantha’s story is a powerful reminder that the path to parenthood isn’t always straight or easy, but dreams can come true. Today, every laugh, every hug, and every moment with their son Eli is a testament to the strength they found within themselves and each other. Their journey stands as encouragement for others walking a similar path: to trust in their strength, lean on those who care, and believe that joy can grow from even the hardest battles.
