August 28th, 2025 | 9 min. read
For years, PCOS and repeated losses left Mary-Caitlin and Dan wondering if parenthood would even be possible for them. Now, their story shines a light on the resilience and faith it takes to keep going.
In this article:
- Meet Dan & Mary-Caitlin
- When Trying to Conceive Isn’t Easy
- Turning to Fertility Treatment
- The Roller Coaster of IVF & Pregnancy Loss
- A New Approach Brings New Hope
- The Rainbow After the Storm
- Gratitude for Their Village
- Paying It Forward
- Where to Donate Unused IVF Medication
- Hope for Others Navigating Infertility
- A New Chapter
Meet Dan & Mary-Caitlin
When Mary-Caitlin met Dan in 2017, one of the first things that drew her to him was his warmth and kindness. "One of the reasons I fell in love with him was an overwhelming feeling that he would be an amazing dad," she recalls.
They quickly learned they shared a vision for the future. Both adored spending time with their nephew and niece, and they dreamed of giving them cousins to grow up with.
As the years went on, Dan pursued his passion as a special education teacher at Danbury High School, while Mary-Caitlin dedicated her career to serving as a prosecutor. They both knew that starting a family together would be one of their greatest adventures.
Photos: Dan and Mary-Caitlin Cronin
When Trying to Conceive Isn’t Easy
Mary-Caitlin was just 20 years old when she received a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that would shape her future in ways she never expected.
PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility, affecting as many as one in ten women of reproductive age. For Mary-Caitlin, the irregular cycles and uncertainty that came along with PCOS were always in the back of her mind.
Years later, when she and her husband Dan were ready to begin trying for a baby, those old worries resurfaced. "I had a gut feeling it was going to be a struggle [to conceive]," she says.
Her OB suggested she reach out to Illume Fertility for a more comprehensive evaluation and additional support, and that first call began a journey that would test their strength, deepen their love, and eventually bring them their miracle baby.
Turning to Fertility Treatment
After becoming patients at Illume and undergoing initial diagnostic testing, Mary-Caitlin's team confirmed her previous diagnosis of PCOS and discussed the couple's options with them.
When the time came to pursue treatment, their journey began with intrauterine insemination (IUI). Their first attempt brought a glimmer of hope. Mary-Caitlin successfully became pregnant, but heartbreak followed when the pregnancy ended at only six weeks.
Undeterred, the couple tried to forge ahead, attempting two more IUI cycles, but neither was successful. With heavy hearts and renewed determination, they decided to move forward to the next step: in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The Roller Coaster of IVF & Pregnancy Loss
The couple began their first IVF cycle, and felt optimistic after Mary-Caitlin's egg retrieval went remarkably well, with 19 eggs collected and nine embryos total. Hope surged again.
Their first embryo transfer was successful, but the couple's joy quickly gave way to grief when the pregnancy ended in a missed miscarriage at just nine weeks.
Their second transfer also resulted in pregnancy, but once again, they were devastated when they learned the pregnancy had stopped progressing at six weeks.
"I found myself in the one percent of women who experience three losses before having a baby," she later shared on Instagram. "I felt so hopeless, and our triple rainbow baby seemed so very far away in my darkest times."
What is a rainbow baby?
Healing from loss is never easy, but you’re not alone. In this guide, we explore the term “rainbow baby” and offer hope, understanding, and resources to support your journey.
A New Approach Brings New Hope
Each loss was heartbreaking, yet Mary-Caitlin and Dan courageously pressed on, still dreaming of their future family. They leaned on one another, their therapist, and the support of friends who had also walked the road of infertility.
"Dan was my anchor, my shoulder to cry on, and the optimism I needed - even when I didn’t want it," she says. "He always believed in our ability to grow our family."
After multiple painful setbacks, Dr. Joshua Hurwitz recommended a new path: a 'natural' (unmedicated) transfer cycle. The couple decided to give it a try, taking a leap of faith and trusting the guidance of their Illume team.
That transfer cycle ended up being the one that brought them the news they had long been waiting for. Their third embryo transfer was successful, and this time, the pregnancy progressed normally.
The Rainbow After the Storm
The couple's son Jack was born in August 2024 - their long-awaited rainbow baby. For Dan and Mary-Caitlin, that life-changing moment was the answer to years they'd spent praying and hoping.
"Our greatest prayer answered, our biggest dream come true," she wrote after announcing they were expecting. "With immense gratitude, we are so excited to announce Baby Cronin. My little baby, you are the joy of my life. No one ever wanted anything more than we wanted you."
On National Rainbow Baby Day, she reflected on its new meaning after Jack's arrival:
"For two years, I prayed I could someday honor this day with my own rainbow baby. And now here I am with Jack. He is the light of our lives and the healer of our hearts. He will never know just how much we needed him."
Photos: Mary-Caitlin & her Illume team on graduation day; baby shower; newborn photo shoot (BHZ Photography)
Gratitude for Their Village
Reflecting back on their years of struggle, Mary-Caitlin says one of the most surprising parts of the journey was how quickly their Illume Fertility Care Team became part of the family. "The Illume staff cheered with us during the good news and showed us so much kindness and care during the bad news too - truly the best of the best," she says.
When she and Dan made their final visit to Illume's Danbury office to 'graduate' from Dr. Hurwitz's care, the emotions were overwhelming.
"It truly takes a village, and we had the very best village we could have ever asked for," she wrote. "Throughout our time at Illume I felt so loved and supported - I knew that they wanted this baby for us as much as we did."
Paying It Forward
The couple also chose to donate their unused fertility medications so other families in need could benefit. It's a decision Mary-Caitlin now encourages other fertility patients to consider as well.
"We were so lucky to have the financial means and amazing insurance to get us through our treatments, but we know many others are not that lucky," she says. "If you’ve completed treatment, please consider donating the medications you no longer need. It can really help other couples grow their families."
No Insurance for IVF?
Learn how to get financial assistance for fertility treatment through grants, scholarships, specialized loans, and more.
Where to Donate Unused IVF Medication
If you have unopened, unexpired medications left after treatment, you can make a real difference for another family. Many fertility clinics (including Illume) accept donations to help other patients.
Nonprofits like SIRUM also accept such donations, offering free shipping and safe redistribution to people in need. Always check with your clinic or the organization to confirm their donation policies.
Are you an Illume patient? Just let your Care Team know that you're interested in donating unused medication, and they'll be happy to help facilitate the process.
Hope for Others Navigating Infertility
To anyone still in the trenches, Mary-Caitlin offers this encouragement:
"Please know you are already amazing parents for all you’re willing to do to grow your family. I promise the pain you feel now doesn’t compare to the joy that comes."
She also wants others to know they are not alone. "If you’re experiencing infertility, please know I am here for you, even if we’ve never spoken," she says. "I know how lonely and painful the journey can be, and I wouldn’t have gotten through it without the kindness of others who were going through it too."
Photos: Newborn Jack; Mary-Caitlin, Jack & Dan; Jack's first birthday (credits: Kelly Harding & BHZ Photography)
A New Chapter
With 1-year old Jack now in their arms, life looks very different for Dan and Mary-Caitlin, and they couldn't be happier.
Their days are filled with joyful baby giggles, celebrating Jack's first milestones, and the deep gratitude that comes from weathering years of uncertainty and loss. "Dan and I now have our son, and he is absolutely the light of our lives," says Mary-Caitlin.
But their story isn't just about loss and struggle. It is also about resilience, love, community, and hope.
For those still waiting for their miracle baby to arrive, Mary-Caitlin has one final message: "What you are feeling right now is not permanent. Don't give up - your time will come. I pray your someday turns into a today."
Editor's Note: We're so grateful to Dan and Mary-Caitlin for sharing their journey. If you're a current or former Illume Fertility patient interested in submitting your own story, we'd love to hear from you! Explore our collection of patient stories or submit yours here.
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