Lisa's Journey to Motherhood

I'm 43 years old and I've been married for about ten years. My DH and I were diagnoised with male factor infertility about four and half years ago, at which time we did not have IVF insurance coverage. Prior to determining that we had male factor infertility, I had a myomectomy to remove fibroids, which my then RE thought was the cause of our infertility. Given the cost of IVF and the low success rate based on my age, we opted not to pursue IVF.

Approximately two years after our initial infertility diagnosis, we started the adoption process. We were blessed with a beautiful, baby girl and were thrilled to be parents. We were madly in love with her, but our joy was short lived as the Birthmother changed her mind and our daughter was returned to her biological mother.

My DH and I said we would wait a year before re-visiting the adoption journey, two and half years later, we're living in a new city, working new jobs, which brings us to the present.

One day while sharing me and my DH's infertility issue and failed adoption journey with one of my co-workers, which was about two weeks before me and my DH's benefits open enrollment period was scheduled to closed, my co-worker suggested that I check to see if my new employer offered IVF coverage. You see after me and my DH's failed adoption, we couldn't really bring ourselves to having a serious discussion about adoption again or being parents. Therefore, I never thought to ask this question upon starting my new job.

Not only do I now have IVF coverage ($15K max), but my DH also has coverage ($10K max). Upon learning this, I immediately enrolled in my employer's plan, as I was already covered under my DH's plan and about three weeks later my DH and I were sitting in a RE's office ready to begin the journey to parenthood.

Because of our previous failed adoption and my fear of bringing a baby into this world with down syndrome, which I believe is more of a possibility based on my current age, we were now open to using donor eggs. Also, before our failed adoption, my DH was completely against the use of donor sperm, but he is now open to such.

My DH and I spent part of this past New Year's Eve in a hospital so that I can have a second surgery to remove fibroids before starting my first IVF cycle. The surgery was a success and next it was my DH's turn to have a TESE procedure to retrieve his sperm. My DH was such a trooper. Although a little nervous, he was very optimistic about his procedure and ready to go through with the procedure. I almost burst into tears when the doctors informed me that no sperm were retrieved as my DH's body isn't producing any sperm. You see, along our journey, we learned that my DH is a Cystic Fibrosis carrier, which explains the reason his body isn't making sperm along with some other traits.

My DH was initially sad, but then almost immediately became elated with the thought of father-hood and was ready to continue our IVF cycle with the use of the back up sperm that we purchased just in case no sperm could be retrieved from him.

I'm officially an IVFER and I'm very hopeful and excited about the new journey before me. I pray that this is our season to be the proud parents of a happy and healthy baby.