I think this post outlines the important notion that every journey is different and every journey matters. Some people may think that their infertility journey is not important or not worth sharing because it does not seem difficult when compared to other people. Or simply because they have not had a successful cycle. One of the main reasons I started this blog was to make sure that everyone feels heard and everyone has the opportunity to share their story. When I first reached out to @my.ivf.journal, she was a bit hesitant to share her story because she thought that it may not be beneficial to other people as they have decided to take a break before they complete their treatment. I encouraged her to share her story because everyone's journey is unique and the more stories that get shared, the more helpful they can be for a couple starting treatment. They will get an idea of what is in store for them and will be able to prepare themselves mentally. I think by sharing these stories, everyone in the community is brought closer and we are all able to learn something new. Of course each journey is different and there may be some unexpected bumps along the way but knowing that other people have been through similar situations helps relieve some of the pressure we automatically put on ourselves.
Their journey started in 2016 when they began trying for a baby. After a year she decided to get scanned to track her cycle to increase their chances of pregnancy. Her midwife suggested getting additional tests as she suspected that she may not have been ovulating. They decided to go down the private route so they could get their results back quicker. They completed all of their tests and after 3 weeks went in to review the results. They were shocked to hear that her husband's sperm count and motility were very low and that their only option would be to complete IVF.
They were eligible for NHS treatment but had to wait a long time. After an 18 month wait, they began their treatment cycle with ICSI, which was in October of 2019. She tolerated the treatment well as she had prepared herself mentally for what was to come. She also completed acupuncture during her cycle which helped her in managing stress and having a clear mindset. She produced 5 eggs, out of which 3 survived to day 5 and 2 were successfully frozen and 1 was transferred. Unfortunately, she got her period a few days before her pregnancy test. This was devastating for them and it took some time for them to recover from the loss. They are now planning their next transfer this month and are remaining optimistic for their upcoming transfer.
As I share these stories, I learn so much about the process of going through IVF treatment. I think it is easy for some specialist and embryologists to get so caught up in their work that they forget the emotional aspect of their work. Some may believe that putting emotions aside when it comes to technical work is the best way to ensure optimal care but I disagree. I believe that by humanizing the process and understanding what couples go through, we can better cater to their needs and provide personalized care specific to each person. This is why it is important to share as many stories as possible; not just for couples beginning their treatments but also for professionals to not lose track of the importance of their work on a couple struggling with infertility.
I'd like to take the opportunity to thank every single person who has shared their story with me so far. It has been a humbling process to communicate with you all and an honor to share your stories. I know it is not easy to share and I appreciate it.
