Over two years trying to conceive. Four IUI cycles. No clear diagnosis. In this story, Victoria and William open up about how they navigated the uncertainty of unexplained infertility, found support and community, and pushed through challenges to finally meet their baby boy.
In this article:
- Meet Victoria & William
- Searching for Answers
- Unexplained Infertility & Male Factor Issues
- Finding the Right Care Team
- Choosing IVF: Taking Back Control
- How Illume Fertility Supports You
- Loneliness, Strength & Finding Community
- Creating Your Support Circle
- What They Weren't Expecting
- Life Today: Joy, Gratitude & Looking Ahead
- A Final Message of Hope
When Victoria and William first began trying to grow their family, they had no reason to believe it would be difficult. They were young, active, and healthy. But after two years of trying to conceive on their own, something still wasn’t clicking.
"We didn’t know what was wrong," Victoria says. "Not knowing was one of the hardest parts."
Their story, like so many others, began with hope, shifted to confusion and frustration, and ultimately found resolution with the right team behind them.
Two years into their TTC journey, Victoria and William reached a point many couples know all too well: that moment when "Just keep trying!" no longer feels like a viable plan.
Under the supervision of Victoria's OB-GYN, the couple completed three cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI) with no real clarity on why every cycle was ending in a negative pregnancy test.
Their test results came back clinically normal, which can feel both reassuring and deeply frustrating to those who have struggled to conceive. This is often categorized as unexplained infertility — a diagnosis given when standard tests fail to reveal a clear cause.
Unexplained infertility affects up to 30 percent of couples experiencing infertility, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). But many cases of "unexplained" infertility eventually reveal subtler male factor infertility patterns.
Male factor infertility contributes to roughly 50 percent of infertility cases (CDC), and semen analysis alone doesn’t always tell the full story. Additional factors that aren't discussed as openly, like DNA fragmentation, sperm morphology, lifestyle impacts, or ejaculatory frequency can also shape fertility outcomes.
[cta1]
With the couple still searching for answers, Victoria's OB-GYN referred them to Illume Fertility. Their first appointment with Dr. Joshua Hurwitz marked a major turning point.
"Right away, we felt supported," Victoria recalls. "Dr. Hurwitz made us feel heard from day one."
Illume’s process begins by ensuring both partners undergo a complete fertility evaluation, with special attention to male factor contributors, lifestyle factors, genetic risks, and timing challenges. Many couples find comfort in finally having a structured, clear plan, consistent communication, and data-driven recommendations.
Illume also emphasizes transparency, evidence-based care, and personalized protocols — something that helped Victoria and William feel like they weren’t navigating this journey in the dark anymore.
They completed one additional IUI cycle at Illume, but after several unsuccessful attempts between both clinics, the couple faced a common fork in the road: continue IUI treatment or move on to in vitro fertilization (IVF).
After four total IUI cycles (three with their OB-GYN, one at Illume), Victoria and William chose to pursue IVF — a decision many patients make when time, emotional fatigue, or unexplained fertility factors begin to take a toll.
"We were just ready for the next step," Victoria says. "It had already been such a long journey."
The evidence supported their choice. Research shows that for many couples facing unexplained or severe male factor infertility, IVF offers significantly higher success rates than continued IUIs and often provides faster time-to-pregnancy.
One of the biggest benefits of IVF (especially for couples without a clear medical issue) is that it allows embryologists and physicians to observe fertilization directly, assess egg quality, closely monitor embryo development, and tailor treatment for future rounds if needed.
For many hopeful parents-to-be, IVF can turn unknowns into answers.
At Illume Fertility, we believe that it's important to care for the whole patient, not just address their clinical needs. Here are just a few of the ways we work to support our families:
For Victoria and William, this combination of personalized fertility care, compassionate expertise, and scientific innovation made all the difference.
[cta2]
Every couple facing infertility describes the emotional strain differently, but common themes always emerge: fear, isolation, uncertainty, and the weight of waiting.
For Victoria and William, emotional support was crucial. "Therapy and support groups were really helpful for us," Victoria says. "Talking to other people who were going through something similar made us feel a lot less alone."
The couple also continued to prioritize activities that kept them grounded before their fertility journey began: weekends riding dirt bikes, trips to their Adirondack house, and time outdoors.
Research backs the measurable value of mental health care and community during fertility treatment — showing that emotional distress can impact treatment continuation, and that support programs help patients feel more resilient and less overwhelmed.
Illume Fertility's unique Integrated Fertility & Wellness program offers services and support not found at many clinics:
"I think what surprised us the most was how long this journey took," Victoria reflects. "But it’s so worth it when you hold your baby in your arms for the first time."
This sentiment is echoed by countless Illume patients: fertility challenges are rarely linear. The process may take more time than expected, demand more emotionally, and require difficult decisions — but having the right support around you makes a world of difference.
That's why Illume’s care model is built around reducing that emotional burden, offering proactive communication, and ensuring patients never feel like they’re navigating these challenges in isolation.
Since welcoming their son Landon in June 2025, life has been full — in the best way.
"We’re busy being full-time parents to our beautiful baby boy," Victoria says. "We’ve gone on some vacations this summer and we’re really soaking in the first few months; we’re just excited to watch our little boy grow!"
Their love of dirt biking and weekends in the Adirondacks are still in the picture — just temporarily on pause. "We plan on having our baby ride dirt bikes with us when he’s old enough!" they say, looking forward to future outdoor adventures with their son.
Their gratitude for their Care Team has only deepened over the years. "We're just so thankful for Illume Fertility," they share. "Without you and Dr. Hurwitz, we wouldn't have our miracle baby; he is the best thing that has ever happened to us."
The couple still have frozen embryos stored and plan to return to Illume for another embryo transfer in the coming years.
Victoria and William know firsthand how overwhelming, confusing, and emotionally draining a fertility journey can be — and they want others to know they’re not alone.
"Try to stay positive, do what makes you happy, and join a support group so you can talk to people going through the same thing," they recommend. "It can be a long, hard road, but when you finally get to hold your baby, it’s truly all worth it."