An IVF Miracle After 4 Miscarriages
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your doctor for the most appropriate treatment.
Embarking on our fertility journey after a year of marriage, my husband and I were overjoyed when we conceived on our first try in October 2021. However, our excitement turned to devastation at our 8-week OB/GYN appointment when we learned the baby had stopped growing at 6.5 weeks, resulting in our first miscarriage and subsequent D&C (dilation and curettage) procedure.
Despite this setback, we remained hopeful and resumed trying to conceive five months later in May 2022. It took a few months before seeing our second positive pregnancy test, but in July of that year, we were pregnant again. Unfortunately, the same heartbreaking scenario repeated itself during our OB/GYN appointment in August, leading to our second miscarriage and a harrowing emergency room visit due to severe bleeding after choosing to pass the embryo with medication. A second and undesired D&C followed in September, prompting us to seek help from a fertility specialist the following month.
The extensive testing, blood work and consultations revealed unexplained infertility, pushing us to pursue one more round of natural conception under our fertility specialist’s guidance. In March 2023, our hopes were dashed again with a third miscarriage, ending before 6 weeks of pregnancy. This prompted our doctor to recommend in vitro fertilization (IVF), despite its emotional and financial toll.
We began IVF treatments in May 2023, opting for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to ensure we had the healthiest embryos for a transfer. I experienced unexpected and very light bleeding, which delayed our first transfer. We then transferred our healthiest embryo a month later in July 2023.
Unfortunately, this still led to our 4th subsequent miscarriage at 6.5 weeks. Despite another setback, we persevered. We went through a third D&C procedure, and found out the comforting news that our transferred embryo was in fact healthy. PGT testing is not able to test for everything, as it’s only testing a piece of the embryo. With a miscarriage, they are able to test the entire embryo. This helped rule out any concerns with regards to our embryo, and let us dial into immune related concerns with myself. With a newfound focus, we embarked on a modified IVF protocol for the next transfer.
In September 2023, at a consultation with our fertility doctor, we agreed to incorporate medications that would suppress my overactive immune system. These included a blood thinner, steroids, and an immunosuppressive medication. I would take those from the start of our next transfer until the baby reached 10 weeks gestation.
Our next transfer took place on November 16, 2023. Miraculously, five days after starting my medication, I received the long-awaited call confirming a positive pregnancy test. It was a moment I had dreamed of, hoped for, and prayed over endlessly. The news brought a flood of emotions: relief, joy, and cautious optimism. Every week thereafter was marked by a series of blood work and ultrasound appointments, each one a nerve-wracking journey into the unknown. Yet, with each passing milestone, our hope grew stronger, tempered by the painful memories of past disappointments.
Miraculously, five days after starting my medication, I received the long-awaited call confirming a positive pregnancy test. It was a moment I had dreamed of, hoped for, and prayed over endlessly.
The 7-week mark held particular significance for us. It was a milestone we had never reached before, a pivotal moment where we hoped to hear the reassuring sound of our baby’s heartbeat. As the appointment drew near, my anxiety soared, mingled with a sense of anticipation that bordered on disbelief. Would this be the moment when our dreams finally became a reality?
Entering the ultrasound room, I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest. The technician’s gentle touch and reassuring words offered a small measure of comfort as she began the ultrasound. And then, there it was: the unmistakable rhythm of our baby’s heartbeat echoing through the room! Tears welled up in my eyes as I clung to my husband’s hand, overcome with gratitude and awe.
In that moment, all the pain and heartache of our journey melted away. It was replaced by an overwhelming sense of joy and wonder. We had crossed a threshold, moving beyond the shadow of loss into the bright promise of new life. We carried with us a renewed sense of hope and gratitude, knowing that with each beat of our baby’s heart, our bond grew stronger.
The weeks that followed were filled with more mixed emotions: joy, excitement, and a lingering sense of vulnerability. After graduating from the fertility clinic at 10 weeks, we embraced each milestone with gratitude, celebrating a pregnancy today at 16 weeks and cherishing the hope that sustained us through two years of heartache.
As we shared our news with family and friends, their outpouring of love and support lifted our spirits and reaffirmed our belief in the miracle unfolding within us. Looking back on our journey, we realized that every trial and tribulation had led us to this moment, shaping us into the parents we were destined to become. Our baby’s arrival will not just be the end of a long and arduous journey, but the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope, love, and endless possibilities.
With each new day, we cherish the miracle unfolding within us, knowing that our journey has made us stronger and more resilient than we ever thought possible.
