A donor egg journey and success
Why do you want to share your story?
To encourage and inspire others who are trying to start a family.
What led you to Fertility Centers of Illinois?
I researched in great length the best places in Chicago. I met with a few different clinics and ultimately decided to go to FCI where I felt most comfortable.
How would you describe your experience with your physician?
My experience with Dr. Kaplan was a really good balance of being informed and feeling comfortable with my doctor and my treatment plan. Dr. Kaplan had a very good way about explaining my diagnosis, being direct, and what that would mean for my potential success rate. His honesty allowed me to be realistic about my expectations with fertility treatments.
What fertility treatment did you undergo?
I did four rounds of fertility treatments, each with their own protocol. These protocols included many different medications and dosages. The first three rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) did not result in retrieving any follicles. The fourth round of IVF did result in four eggs, however, no eggs made it past the 3-day blast stage.
At this point, we decided to move on to a donor egg. Once we found our donor, I started a new protocol to prime my body for an embryo transfer. We chose a frozen donor egg which included eight eggs. Of the eight eggs, three made it to Day 5. We transferred one healthy embryo and became pregnant on the first try. Once I became pregnant, my treatment plan continued with daily progesterone shots. We now have two embryos that are frozen for future use.
What helped you get through treatment?
My husband was first and foremost the biggest supporter. He never wavered and was always there for me. He allowed me to have bad days without judgment, and we celebrated all the small wins together as they occurred. My family and friends were also a huge support system. I am not one to keep my feelings inside, and I found what helped me the most was to talk about my feelings with those closest to me. I also had a very good friend going through IVF the same time as me, and that helped immensely to have someone else going through a similar journey.
The staff at FCI was also a huge support system. Along with Dr. Kaplan, I got to know the ultrasound technicians on a first name basis as I did multiple rounds of IVF. They were always cheering me on, telling me my day will come soon. It made coming to the appointments so much easier and I actually looked forward to them.
Do you have any words of hope for others?
You often hear this is a “journey” and that is really the truth. You will have good days and bad days. You will receive good news, and sometimes bad news. Try to remember things might not always go the way you thought they would, but you will ultimately get what you want if you stay the course. Surround yourself by positive people in your life and stay off the internet blogs!
Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally is the number one priority when you are going through fertility treatment. Remember it is okay to say “No” more than you say “Yes” when you are going through treatment.
Tell us about your little miracle!
Our little miracle came into this world with a full head of hair which may have explained my heartburn during pregnancy! She clocked in at 8 lbs. and 15 oz., measuring 21.5″ long. A very happy and healthy baby!
She is a beautiful girl who already is starting to show her personality. We can’t wait to watch her grow and make all the memories we were hoping for when we started out on this journey to parenthood!
