5 years of 'searching for a child' for a mother with polycystic ovary syndrome

Andrea and her husband spent 5 years trying many artificial insemination methods to have a child because she had polycystic ovary syndrome.

After nearly 10 years of dating, Andrea and Ralph decided to get married. Like many other couples, they planned to have children and never thought they would have difficulty conceiving. However, after two years, the good news still did not come to them. "I gradually realized that something was wrong with me, even though I had heard many medical experts, friends and relatives say that we were just too stressed and that if we just relaxed, we would soon get pregnant," Andrea said.

Andrea and her husband decided to go to the maternity hospital in Norwalk, where the doctor diagnosed her with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Although Andrea was not happy, she felt relieved to know the cause.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is considered the leading cause of infertility in women. About 2.2-26.7% of women of reproductive age (15-44 years old) have this syndrome, but many do not know they have the disease and do not treat it early, leading to many complications. Ovulation disorders are the cause of infertility in people with PCOS.

The doctor encouraged Andrea and Ralph to start intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment. After the first failed, they went on to do a second IUI. However, Andrea still had no luck when she received a call from the hospital informing her that her pregnancy test was negative.

"I remember hanging up the phone, taking a deep breath and trying to hold back my tears so my colleagues wouldn't suspect anything. Later that day, I went to the bathroom to cry, then rushed back to my desk to finish my unfinished work as if nothing had happened," Andrea recounted.

Andrea and her husband had gone through three unsuccessful cycles of IUI. It was the worst time of their lives. The couple went to every doctor's appointment feeling hopeless, and Andrea felt isolated.

Andrea happily holds her baby boy in her arms after a difficult journey to have a child. Photo: Illume Fertility — Andrea happily holds her baby boy in her arms after a difficult journey of "finding a child". Photo: *Illume Fertility*

Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and she saw it as an opportunity to rest and relax both mentally and physically. Andrea began to heal herself mentally by exercising, establishing a healthy diet, and taking better care of her body. She found the strength to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a mother.

After a long break, Andrea and Ralph returned to their journey of "finding a child". This time, they chose in vitro fertilization (IVF). Andrea shared that during that time, both she and her husband were mentally well prepared. She was no longer too strict with herself and became more confident in the treatment process.

The doctor collected 30 eggs, creating 9 embryos. After the first embryo transfer in August 2021, luck smiled on Andrea and her husband when she received the pregnancy notice. She burst into happiness and immediately picked up the phone to tell her husband and mother the good news.

After 5 years of waiting, Andrea and Ralph finally welcomed their son Dominick Ralph on April 26, 2022. Now, the boy is over a year old, very adorable and cute. "When my son slept peacefully next to me, I couldn't hold back my tears. Looking at his adorable face, I couldn't believe that I was a mother. My son brings great happiness to our big family," Andrea shared.

Having gone through the arduous journey of "finding a child", Andrea confidently offers some advice for those who have the same fertility problems as her. She said that there are many things to handle during the infertility treatment process such as: taking fertility drugs every day, follow-up appointments, waiting for test results, the physical and mental impact of constant stress... while life continues around.

Sometimes, women can feel overwhelmed by balancing emotions, work, and family responsibilities. "The fact that this journey is so personal and sensitive makes it especially difficult, because not many people know what you're going through. And even those who do know may not be able to help you," she says.

According to Andrea, each person will have different ways to deal with their problems. Some people choose to share their difficulties with their relatives. Some keep the whole process a secret until they successfully conceive. Whichever way they choose, Andrea advises everyone that the most important thing is to take time to take care of themselves, rest (go for acupuncture, massage, vacation...). If possible, women should share with their "other half" or close friends to feel more comfortable.

In addition, it is also necessary to contact your doctor to know your condition clearly as well as receive useful information for the treatment process. Andrea also recommends that people can connect with other infertile patients to share their feelings, help themselves feel more comfortable as well as gain more experience in the treatment journey.

Hai My ( According to Illume Fertility )

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