Former patient, Katie O’Connor, wrote in her own words about her journey to motherhood with Fertility Centers of Illinois. She wanted to share her experiences so that they could help anyone who might be going through the same struggles, pain and worry. Read on to experience her journey through her eyes.
My journey through infertility started with my husband, Bill, and I
deciding we wanted to start our family, get off the pill, and ring in
2009 with a normal annual exam at my OBGYN. I learned I had a non-existent
period which lead to going through preliminary testing, trying several rounds of hormonal
meds to help "jump start" my period. With nothing working, I got referred to an infertility specialist, going through WAY more testing, getting
diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS),
to even more rounds of hormonal meds, (more than I can count) blood works and
ultrasounds, and again nothing working.
Turning the corner in 2010, I finally I got my period
started - after several failed IUI (the glamorous acronym for Intrauterine
Insemination, previously known as Artificial Insemination) attempts, we had our
first IVF
(In-Vitro Fertilization) attempt. This time around included more meds (you name it I was
probably on it), shots (in my stomach and my behind), tons of monitoring
appointments (blood work and ultrasound), periods of stress, sadness, pain, and
general "why me?".
