May 21st, 2024 | 6 min. read
When you discover you may need a little help to have a baby, you place all of your trust and hope in your fertility clinic team. But when that practice isn't offering the support and care you expected, it can be difficult to know where to turn. One IVF mom shares her experience switching clinics, and how she knew she'd finally found the right provider.
In this article:
Meet Jessy & Phill
It was the ultimate meet-cute: Jessy first met her husband at Whole Foods, and they later got engaged in the very grocery aisle where they first set eyes on each other. They began dating, eventually getting married, and settling into life as a newlywed couple.
Since landing in Milford, Connecticut around five years ago, Jessy and her husband Phill have loved exploring their local restaurants, discovering beautiful outdoor spaces, and connecting with their community.
Whether they are spending time with family playing board games or heading outside for some fresh air adventures, the couple always finds a way to have fun together.
Ready for Parenthood
"We knew we wanted a family, but we took our time," Jessy says. "After getting married and waiting a few years, we started trying to conceive - but had no success." Unfortunately, this is a frustratingly common scenario many couples go through.
Jessy and Phill eventually decided to seek help from a local fertility clinic. "We went through three unsuccessful IUI cycles with that clinic," Jessy shares. "I felt unheard, like they completely disregarded all of my concerns."
Feeling frustrated and defeated, the couple realized it might be time to explore other options.
Finding the Right Fit
Jessy and Phill decided to switch to a different fertility practice in the hopes that it would be a more empowering (and successful) journey the second time around. They began their search.
"After hearing great reviews from colleagues about Illume Fertility, I decided to reach out," Jessy says. "I was promptly scheduled for an appointment with Dr. Shaun Williams and paired with a great Care Team."
Unlike her previous fertility specialist, Jessy says that Dr. Williams listened to her concerns and discussed various approaches to support their journey to parenthood.
Uncovering New Diagnoses
After undergoing fertility testing, Jessy was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She quickly began working with a nutritionist from Illume to reach an optimal weight for pregnancy and started taking medication to help manage her insulin resistance.
Her bloodwork also revealed a thyroid imbalance, so she began taking thyroid medication. Jessy was determined to optimize her health before trying to conceive again, hoping that the changes she was making would have a positive effect the next time around.
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From Egg Retrieval to Embryo Transfer
Once Dr. Williams determined that in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment would likely offer Jessy the best chance at a healthy pregnancy and baby, the couple began their first IVF cycle.
"The whole process took time, but I appreciated that it wasn't rushed," Jessy says. "I truly believe that this allowed my body to be in the best possible condition for a successful embryo transfer!"
Becoming First-Time Parents
After an anxious two-week wait, the couple was elated to receive news of their first positive pregnancy test. Jessy's pregnancy progressed smoothly, and she went on to deliver a baby boy they named Tyson. Now, over a year later, Jessy says they are loving life with their little guy, who recently turned one.
"After having such a great experience at Illume, I've since referred many people to the practice - all of whom have gone on to have successful pregnancies," Jessy adds. "Their approach is truly unique, team-based, and holistic, which we loved."
On Fostering Community
Nowadays, Jessy is embracing motherhood and enjoys connecting fellow moms with resources, events, and information about the local area through her work with Milford Moms Network. She currently runs the Milford Moms Network Instagram community, highlighting everything that the town and surrounding areas have to offer families.
How long does IVF take?
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Encouraging Words for Fertility Warriors
While Jessy's path to baby was relatively straightforward, she admits that navigating infertility and fertility treatment is no easy feat. "This journey is hard and emotional," she says.
She has three pieces of advice for anyone currently struggling through it:
1) Know that you're not alone
With 1 in 6 people globally suffering to conceive, infertility is far more common than you might imagine. Just because your friends or family members aren't openly discussing their struggles, doesn't mean they aren't experiencing something similar (or haven't in the past).
2) Allow yourself to feel the feelings
Bottling up difficult emotions will only lead to further heartache. Acknowledge how you're feeling throughout your fertility journey, and give yourself the grace to feel however you're feeling that day. Some weeks will be easier than others!
3) Find people you feel comfortable sharing with
Having a trusted circle made up of friends, family, colleagues, and/or fellow fertility patients is an invaluable lifeline, says Jessy. Build that network early, and lean on them often for support.
Lastly, Jessy says, "Get ready to meet the love of your life!" All the stress, anxiety, and effort will be worth it the moment that little bundle is placed in your arms.
Your chances of IVF success:
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