Janna & Daniel

Janna & Daniel's Story:

"We started trying to have a baby shortly after we were married in 2017. I had been diagnosed with PCOS years before and in my mind, I knew there could be an issue with fertility but did not truly consider that would be a problem for us. After 6 months of trying to conceive we sought help from my doctor and started timed intercourse with medications and checked male factor. After 6 more months of trying different medications and diet (to help control effects of PCOS) and having no luck, we were referred to a fertility clinic.

I had a hysteroscopy completed as well as an HSG and we tried a couple more timed intercourse cycles before completing a round of IUI, still with no success. At this point, we knew it was time to talk about IVF. At our clinic consultation, we were given a package option of around $28,000, not including medication. This also did not guarantee us a baby if it was not successful. We spoke to another clinic and received a similar cost estimate for one round of IVF. We had been trying for 3 years and wanted a baby so badly but had to consider other options at that cost.

Through a friend who was looking at freezing eggs at that time, we were referred to CNY for an alternative to the cost quoted to us by two different fertility clinics. Even with the travel and lodging included, the ability to do IVF was actually in our reach through CNY. We purchased medications and prepared to start our first IVF cycle in March 2019 just as everything began to shut down due to COVID-19. It was devastating to mentally, emotionally, and financially prepare for an IVF cycle and then to have to wait not knowing when we would be able to do it. Although it was such an unknown time, we decided to go ahead with IVF when it was feasible with CNY in late April 2019.

We monitored the cycle at the Atlanta CNY clinic and traveled to Syracuse for the egg retrieval and immediate fresh embryo transfer. My husband and I rented an Airbnb and spent a week together with medications, shots, and him playing nurse as I recovered from the egg retrieval. We also visited Niagara Falls together while we waited for the embryos to grow for the transfer. Unfortunately, the fresh embryo transfer was not successful, and as heartbreaking as it was, we knew we couldn't give up - we had come so far. We immediately prepared for a frozen embryo transfer the following month, May 2019, including another trip to Syracuse for the procedure.

I took advantage of the acupuncture services offered at CNY before and after the FET and am so glad I did as it was so calming and relaxing during a time that can be the opposite. We completed the FET and I chose to stay an additional day after the transfer to rest instead of travel right away. Five days after the transfer I was bathing our dogs and felt nauseous for the first time during this journey. I took a test and it immediately said PREGNANT, the first time I had ever seen that in our TTC journey. In February 2020, our CNY miracle baby girl was born. We are so grateful to Dr. Kiltz and CNY for making it possible for couples who so desperately want to be parents and grow their families to be able to do so through their medical and non-medical treatments and cost-effective procedures. The joy this baby has brought to our lives is worth every shot (even PIO ones), every pill, and every mountain we climbed physically and emotionally to get here with her."

Favorite Team Member at CNY:

We had Dr. Kiltz for each of our IVF transfers and he was amazing, so kind and knowledgeable. He would say hello or stop to chat with anyone he passed in the clinic, such personable and sweet interactions that made you feel welcome and at ease while you were there.

Helpful resources Janna & Daniel found:

I took advantage of acupuncture that CNY offers before and after my FET and it was so nice to relax and enjoy the spa atmosphere while taking my mind off the pressure of the procedure. I also spent some time coloring in an infertility coloring book which helped provide calming sensory input during the medicine and shots phase of IVF.

Unique Moments:

Going into year 3 TTC, COVID-19 threw a wrench in our plans. We purchased medications and prepared to start our first IVF cycle in March 2019 just as everything began to shut down due to COVID-19. It was devastating to mentally, emotionally, and financially prepare for an IVF cycle and then to have to wait not knowing when we would be able to do it. Although it was such an unknown time in the world, we decided to go ahead with IVF when it was feasible with CNY in late April 2019 and how thankful we were to not have to wait any longer than that.

Hope, Inspiration and Advice:

There are so many ups and downs with the TTC journey. I learned to give yourself grace/be kind to yourself and focus on the medical advances that are available to help you instead of focusing on what your body isn't doing "naturally." Lean on those close to you and communicate your feelings with your partner, they are feeling some of the same things and more. Let yourself grieve, cry, feel the wide range of emotions that you will through the process.