Success Story: My 2 Miracle Boys And Hopefully More...

I spent 7 years struggling with trying to get pregnant, time and time again. My husband and I went through so many different options, procedures and so on. Finally one of my managers at work recommended the Fertility Centers of Illinois. I went for my first visit and was very impressed and overwhelmed. After rounds of IUI and clomid, which were all unsuccesful my Dr. decided IVF was the best option for us. We tried it our first try and WOW we were pregnant, however my hcG levels didn't double and by week 8 there was no heartbeat and though it was possibly twins, I miscarried. We tried again and again and each cycle we had less and less viable eggs (sometimes only 5 retrieved), by our 4th and final attempt (covered by insurance) we were not very optimistic so we went in as usual, went through the procedure, okay they got 5 eggs retrieved, 1 viable. That alone dashed my hopes, well we went back for the transfer, not thinking very positively and the nurse tells me that 3 more eggs matured overnight and they injected them and they are good. They ended up transferring 4 embryos of various stages. 2 weeks later I had a positive pregnancy test and I was starting to feel it too, I never felt that way the first time but knowing what I went through the first time I never got my hopes up. I went for weekly ultrasounds and things were going good. In August of 03 (3.5 weeks early due to high blood pressure issues), I delivered a healthy baby boy 5 lbs. 15 oz. via csection. It was the most amazing experience, to think that I'd never ever get there. When he turned one I was back at FCI for another round of IVF hoping to get at least one more baby, that cycle was WOW - amazing, 15 eggs, 10 embryos developed and it was just unreal for me. We transferred 4 embryos again and froze our other 6. My hcG levels were continually rising like crazy and I went for my first ultrasound, another singleton, which we were happy about. The pregnancy was almost the same as the first, I was monitored a little closer this time and was seeing a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist at Evanston Northwestern because of High blood pressure. Unfortunately by 29 weeks into my 2nd pregnancy I was admitted to Evanston and within 2 days of my being there just making 30 weeks pregnant my 2nd son was delivered, 10 weeks early via C section. He entered this world 2.5 lbs and 14.5 in long, spending 5 weeks in the hospital. Today he is a wonderful healthy 19 month old and just loves tormenting his older brother. In November of 06 I am going to go back to FCI for a transfer cycle of my currently frozen embryos. I'm hoping we can get at least one more healthy baby, most likely this baby would be early and premature also, but we have to pray that it will be healthy as my other one was. The moral is you never give up hope, I almost did and I got lucky that last time - I prayed every night and god has blessed us with 2 beautiful boys and hopefully more! For those in IL, FCI is a wonderful wonderful place, with an exorburent success rate. If you are considering going anywhere they are the place!

Debbie, United States