Meet Jody!

  It’s that time of week again! Today, Meet Jody! She blogs at Growing with the Gimlins! Read on for her incredible story! If you or someone you know has had success, please go here for more details in how you can share yours!

1. How long did you struggle through infertility?

After being married for one year and buying our first home, we made the decision to start trying in February 2007. After 10 months with no luck we decided to get some testing done. My husband’s SA results showed low count and motility, most likely a result of a childhood medical condition. In March 2008 we were told by our local doctors that even with fertility treatments our chances of conceiving were incredibly slim. We were advised to start looking at other options (i.e. adoption, donors, etc.)

2. What did you go through (as far as treatments, different doctors, adoptions agencies, etc.)?

Feeling a bit disappointed in our local doctors, we decided that we needed a second opinion and made an appointment with Seattle Reproductive Medicine (6 hours away) in April 2008. They did more thorough testing on both of us and came back with a better prognosis than what we were originally led to believe. SRM recommended IVF w/ ICSI. In August 2008 we did our first IVF cycle. At Day 5 after egg retrieval we had 3 thriving embryos. We transferred two and had the third one frozen. A very long ten days later, I had my blood test done and that afternoon we sat at home together on our couch, waiting for the big call. BFP! An ultrasound a few weeks later revealed one perfectly beautiful little bean (our second embryo apparently did not attach). Other than some slight tummy troubles through my 1^st trimester, I had a perfect pregnancy. On May 8, 2009, I gave birth to a whopping baby boy, Kendry Dru (10lbs 5oz).   We feel blessed beyond belief to have our son, but are also looking forward to the day we can do our next IVF cycle. We would like to have a few more children so our SRM doctors are recommending another IVF cycle in the hopes we can get more embryos for a frozen embryo transfer later down the road.  

We considered adoption before our appointment in Seattle, but neither of us was certain that was the right road for us. Although God has since opened my heart to this option, I’m glad we did not proceed down the adoption path when we were not emotionally ready to do so. Only God knows if that door will be opened for us in the future.

3. How did you handle disappointments through your cycles (natural and otherwise) or months of waiting?

The truth is, we’re still “handling” it.  We were definitely on the monthly rollercoaster for that year of trying unsuccessfully. Obviously, “just relaxing” did not help get us pregnant. Then when we got our diagnosis there was A LOT of tears and asking God “why?” over and over again. We finally decided to confide in our families about our struggle. Having shoulders to cry on and knowing that prayers were almost consistently going out on our behalf were an amazing support for us. I also joined online communities to connect with other IF survivors.  

As a Christian, I have no doubt it was God who kept us going throughout our IF struggle, and He continues to give us the strength to press on, even when we can’t see the “when” for more children. Infertility puts an unbelievable amount of stress on a marriage. But it astounds me even now to look back and see how much God has taught us throughout the last few years. I would not wish IF on anyone. But would I ask for it to be taken from us if it could? I’m not sure, because I can see what God has accomplished through it, and what He continues to accomplish. The emotions over IF still affect us regularly. I always imagined us having at least 4 kids, with at least 2 kids by age 30. I turn 30 in 8 days and I have one precious 14 month old. I have not resumed any birth control since I gave birth to my son, in the hopes that perhaps God will bless us with a baby the natural way. So far His answer to that prayer has been “no”, and He is showing me how to live daily for Him even when I don’t understand His plans in our lives.

  But yes, we are a success story. Praise the Lord!

4. What were the ‘stress-free’ techniques that you tried that helped you get through the cycle or time (yoga, meditation, acupuncture, support through family, friends & on-line, etc.)

I didn’t really do anything in the way of meditation, yoga, etc. Every time I started getting stressed or anxious I would pray, or ask others to pray on our behalf, and God would give us His peace. Sharing our struggle with our family and friends was a bit difficult, but so worth it. And the online support I found was amazing as well. I cannot imagine us going through IF without having the encouragement of these people. They don’t always completely understand since many of them have never dealt with IF, but their support is priceless.

I also got addicted to my local Christian radio station: Positive Life Radio. I can remember countless times when I was driving and just ready to burst into tears over our situation, but God would always come through for me by having a certain song come on or having a testimony shared on the radio.  

            Finally, I posted affirming scripture verses at home on my fridge and at my desk at work. Every time I felt discouraged I would repeat those verses. There is power in the Word of God.

5. If you could give advice for couples going through infertility now, what would it be?

Get an expert opinion on your IF situation; don’t simply rely on your primary care physician. If we had listened to our local doctors I’m not sure we would be where we are now. Some people have asked us why we went 6 hours away when there is another IF specialist just 2 hours from us. I believe God led us to SRM. The doctors and staff are incredibly supportive and helpful. I would go back to them even if it were a 12 hour drive from here. A great doctor/clinic is priceless. So to anyone in the northwest: Seattle Reproductive Medicine is awesome! Not to mention that they partner with a lot of other doctors across the northwest, so you don’t have to live right in Seattle to work with them effectively.

 Secondly, keep clinging to your spouse no matter what. You will need each other to get through. 

Thanks so much for sharing Jody!

Go to her blog to follow her journey!