When you’re considering IVF to get your miracle baby, it’s hard to think about what a hard, scary road it can be. But it’s so important to focus on the positive when you can! This is EXACTLY why we’ve gathered IVF success stories from our readers–to let you know that you are absolutely not alone in what can be a scary, overwhelming process.
So cozy up and make yourself a tea or coffee and get ready to read some IVF success stories from our very own community–and a huge THANK YOU to readers who sent in their stories! We love you! 💗💉🤰🏻🌈
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Samantha’s Story of Getting Her Rainbow Baby
My husband and I knew we wanted kids from early in our relationship. We planned to have kids right away, but found ourselves struggling. After trying for a year, doctors told me to lose weight to help our chances. I did that, but I still couldn’t get pregnant.
We went to a fertility clinic for help and did two unsuccessful IUIs. Our third IUI resulted in a pregnancy, but ended in a 7 week miscarriage. After this loss, we decided to move to IVF.
We didn’t have any friends who went through IVF before us, so we really were navigating the whole thing alone. We did one round of retrieval and had five embryos. From there, a successful fresh transfer resulted in our two year old son.
When we wanted to have another child, we assumed our second transfer would work as well. Unfortunately, our second transfer failed and we lost one of our remaining 4 embryos.
Our third transfer worked, and we now have a two month old son as well. We have two embryos left, and we are still unsure if our IVF journey is over, or if we want to try for another so as to “use” the embryos that we love and cherish so much.
Our story is definitely one of loss and redemption and finding passion in one of the worst seasons of our lives.
Kay’s Story of IVF at a Younger Age
We began to try for a baby once we bought our home in August of 2019, when both my husband and I were 23.
I’ve had a PCOS diagnosis since the age of 18 leading to elevated androgens and polycystic ovaries. However, since I still had regular cycles, my OB seemed to think we had an average chance on conceiving. I did ovulation test strips to time intercourse for a year, but nothing happened.
I went back to my OB and was dismissed with, “You’re so young. It will happen.” The OB recommended I not worry and to try for 6 more months.
Those 6 months went by and again… Nothing.
So I go back again asking for other options/interventions. We did 6 rounds of Letrozole (a drug that blocks the production of estrogen and triggers ovulation) with timed intercourse, but again… Nothing.
At this point I was 25 years old. I went back to my OB and she FINALLY put in a referral for me at an IVF clinic.
The process from referral to testing to retrieval took two years. It was March of 2023 and I was 27 years old once we finally had our eggs. We had a total of 4 embryos from one retrieval: all euploid (normal and healthy), 2 girls and 2 boys.
Optimism from our REI
My reproductive, endocrinology, and infertility (REI) doctor, Keri Luzzo, was absolutely amazing. From day one, she was extremely optimistic. Given our situation (and my age(, she said we had a 70% chance of a healthy baby. She also explained that with three healthy pre-screened embryos, our chance at one live birth jumped up to 95%.
We had our first transfer in May of 2023, two months after retrieval. We didn’t care about the gender, just the “best” looking embryo. Unfortunately, at 10dp5dt (10 days after transfer of my 5 day old embryo), my beta HCG (commonly known as “the pregnancy hormone”) level was low, and after a few days it decreased drastically. So this attempt was deemed a chemical pregnancy.
I took a 4 month pause before my second transfer to lose weight to get to a healthy BMI. I used metformin, diet, and exercise. Transfer #2 was on September 21st 2023, a male. My HCG levels 10 days post implantation were high (202 mIU/mL vs the 40 mIU/mL I had before my miscarriage), and they had doubled within two days (a good sign!).
Our Miracle Boy
I went on to have a 7 week ultrasound, and there we saw our healthy little boy. The rest of my pregnancy was wonderful, with a beautiful delivery. My baby is worth the wait and challenges.
Our baby boy was born with a full head of dark brown hair. And yes, I had killer heartburn, just like the old wives’ tales say.
Although no one wants to have to do IVF, from day one I just tried to trust the process. I trusted that my body didn’t fail me, it just needed a hand.
IVF brought my husband and I together in ways we didn’t expect. There were hard conversations, but even more love and showing up for one another. We couldn’t imagine life without our boy, we are so grateful that we were able to receive this care.
Lauren’s Story of Grief in the Midst of Joy
My mother and grandmother were diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Huntington’s disease. It’s a combination of ALS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s, and it is latent (meaning symptoms are not seen until after the age of 60 usually).
As a result, I decided to do IVF to choose healthy embryos and give my children the best chance at a healthy life. I did two rounds, which resulted in only one embryo each round.
After this, I got pregnant naturally and subsequently miscarried between IVF rounds. I was so surprised, because I had assumed that I couldn’t get pregnant. After all, I was 40 and already knew that my eggs were poor quality from the first round of IVF. It was quite the plot twist!
Transfer Success
Our first embryo transfer was a success. We were so happy because everyone says, you never know. But at 6 months pregnant, my mother died unexpectedly the day after we began planning the baby shower.
For the second transfer, it was also a success, but my father in law died a week later.
Even though we thought we could avoid a health tragedy by doing IVF to secure two healthy children, it has been accompanied by unexpected deaths of our support system. It was so painful. I wanted to text my mother about my second transfer, but I couldn’t. And then I wasn’t able to share all the details with my partner because he was suffering his own grief while planning a funeral.
What I’ve learned through IVF and grief is that loss comes in many shapes and sizes. Grief is always a unique experience, but it’s also universal.
Haley’s IVF Success Story
After three years of trying, 5 failed IUIs, and removal of one of my fallopian tubes, my husband and I began our IVF journey at the end of January 2024. We did the stims for about 10 days and then had our retrieval.
Out of the 11 eggs we got, nine were mature and eight were successfully fertilized. From there, only four made it to day 5 embryos, but only one made it to day 6.
We did a fresh transfer in February with our first embryo, and to our surprise, it was successful! We are due with our baby boy at the end of October.
The IVF journey was really difficult emotionally, physically and mentally. But it was so worth it to see those 2 lines.
Nicole’s Egg Retrieval Story
I have had two lacroscopic bilateral ovarian dermoid cyst removals, the first when I was 18 and then again at 22 years old. Before the second surgery, I was told to retrieve eggs in case I lose function of my ovaries. At 22 years old, this was a tough thing to hear. What if I lost function of my ovaries and these retrieved eggs weren’t good enough?
I went for a consult and started on the journey immediately. I was in an accelerated nursing program at the time taking 26 credits a semester. My diet was poor and my sleep was inadequate. I was scared. I didn’t know how I would feel on these expensive medications, but I was told briefly how the process was going to go. Yet nothing could prepare you for how you will actually feel.
Retrieval
Injecting yourself with the medications was the easiest part. I felt alone, even though I had so many family members and my boyfriend at the time (now husband) there for me. On top of everything else, I was so bloated.
I went alone for the morning ultrasounds as the time got closer to retrieve the eggs. They were painful. My ovaries felt heavy. I felt sad. Thankfully, though, the phlebotomy team was the best – and this is so important given how frequent the blood draws became.
Then the time came when I was ready for my retrieval.
My family went with me to the hospital. I was scared. I remember when they placed the IV into my right arm the nurse had the blood dripping down my arm and I almost passed out looking at it. Then, I was brought onto the surgery table and couldn’t even count to 3 before I was out and relieved. I was told they retrieved 28 eggs, 23 viable to be frozen.
Dealing with OHSS
However, I had ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) where I needed to monitor my intake of salt and water, and get frequently monitored after. I was so sore and achy after, and I was so thirsty. Having to limit my intake of water make me even more thirsty.
If I had known back then, I would have prepared myself physically, mentally, and emotionally for this retrieval differently. But even though I was unprepared, I don’t regret this surgery.
Thankfully, 7 years later, my ovaries are still functioning. I finally got pregnant with a baby after 1.5 years of trying!!! It probably took me a while to heal my hormones after having done the egg retrieval cycle. I also had a very large polyp which might have been caused by my abnormal hormones.
I hear now there is lower-dosage IVF that can prevent such horrible after-symptoms where the goal is fewer high quality eggs (instead of getting a lot of lower-quality eggs like I did).
My eggs are still in storage in case I need them for the future. I would recommend for every woman who has to go through this process to prepare and to advocate for themselves! Know your support system and know you aren’t alone!
Jessica and Her Wife’s IVF Story
My wife and I did reciprocal IVF. It took us 2 donors, 2 egg retrievals, and 4 transfers across 3 years to finally get (successfully) pregnant.
We were living in Nebraska but traveling back to our home state of Texas for the first couple of years. Once we moved to Oregon, we were able to establish care with a clinic here. We now have a 4 month old little boy who is our entire world. 👶🏻👩👩👧
IVF Success Stories Final Thoughts
As we’ve seen through these powerful IVF success stories, the IVF road to parenthood can be filled with both joy and heartache. The strength and resilience shown by these parents, who have navigated the ups and downs of this journey, are truly inspiring.
While these stories end with the joy of a new beginning, they are also marked by moments of doubt, pain, and perseverance. If you’re on this path, know that you’re not alone. Our community is here to support you, every step of the way.
If you’re ready to share your own story or need a supportive ear, we’re here to listen. Together, we can continue to lift each other up through every twist and turn of this journey. 🤗✨
