Leia & John

Leia & John's Story:

My husband and I had known each other since high school, went our separate ways for college and ended up running into each other again in our mid-twenties when we were both back in the Buffalo/Rochester area in 2011. It was love at first sight and we got married in January of 2014. We wanted to enjoy married life and travel before we started trying to have children and said we would wait a bit. In the fall of 2016 we began to try. I was 29 at the time. After almost a year of negative pregnancy tests I started to get worried. We didn’t waste any time and met with a fertility specialist. We both got a work up done (bloodwork and HSG) and there were zero issues found so I was given the dreaded “unexplained infertility” diagnosis. Little did I know then that the most difficult time in our lives was about to begin.

My doctor at the time suggested IUIs first. I always had a good egg or two during these treatments but my lining wasn’t the greatest. We did four of them with no luck, and given no answers really on why - they suggested we move to IVF. I remember just being shocked and terrified. I was young, healthy...and nothing was showing up as wrong with me. Why is this happening?

Our first egg retrieval came quickly. I responded very good to the meds - they retrieved 32 eggs. Of those 19 fertilized and we ended up with five day five embryos that were all great quality. We did a fresh embryo transfer with two embryos. Then the two week wait commenced. About 8 days later I started bleeding heavily. I was crushed - I was out before I could even get my beta test. They brought me in anyway and then I got a call - I was actually pregnant. My HCG levels were a bit low they told me but bleeding sometimes happens and as long as they doubled we were fine. I couldn’t believe it, we were so excited! Our first IVF had worked and the nightmare was over.

We were so wrong. Two days later my beta came back barely doubled and my progesterone level had tanked. Two days after that my beta had lowered and they told us I was losing the pregnancy. We were devastated but quickly picked ourselves back up because we had three embryos waiting and one of them had to be our baby. We did a FET a few months later...which didn’t work at all. After that, I needed some time. We enjoyed the end of summer end early fall, and planned to put our last two embryos in before Thanksgiving. Before that we had a consultation with the doctor and I was basically told to just keep trying. I demanded they do a laparoscopic surgery to see if there was anything causing my issues - it was the only thing we hadn’t tried. They did the surgery and found endometriosis. We were excited and optimistic again - that had to have been the problem and now we’re going to be okay! So now the last transfer of our last two embryos was approaching and this time I did all the little things you read about on the infertility boards -pomegranate juice, pineapple core, McDonald’s fries. I was desperate. We got the call two weeks later that I was pregnant again - but my beta was low and to be cautiously optimistic. Two days later my beta had dropped and we were losing another pregnancy. We were gutted. This time it felt like we wouldn’t recover emotionally. Two years, four IUIs, five embryos, two chemical pregnancies, a mountain of debt...and all we had to show for it was heartache and loss.

We took a serious break. During that time I heard about CNY and made an appointment for a consultation while we tried to heal. Then the big day arrived and we headed in to meet Dr. Kiltz. He was the most inspiring doctor I’d ever met. He explained they correlation between unexplained infertility and inflammation. He put me on a keto diet and a bunch of immune medications. He recommended a FET and a bunch of other procedures (intralipids, PRP, HCG wash). He had all of these answers, all of these new things that could help me and I felt invigorated and excited again about this journey. He taught me about positivity - he told me to read the book The Secret. Which I did and completely changed my outlook. I was ready for it this time. After that I met Kris who was my rock. I just felt in the best hands - I truly believed that Kris and Dr. Kiltz were going to get me pregnant even after all I’d been through and how unlikely it may have seemed before.

With the medications and diet I needed to be on it took months to prep for my IVF and embryo transfer. I did intralipids once a week, I was on a strict keto diet - during my egg retrieval I got 15 eggs, 14 fertilized and we ended up with six beautiful, perfect embryos. With the FET approaching I pushed out any feelings of nervousness or negativity. I listened to positive pregnancy affirmations every single night. I was given five different shots a day and was on countless pills, vitamins and supplements. But I was ready. I remember Kris telling me that I was going to get pregnant this time, that everyone in the office had a feeling.

My FET day came and we headed back to Syracuse. I did acupuncture before (and after) and Dr. Kiltz performed the procedure.

I remember exactly where I was when I got the call ten days later - at work, so distracted and actually shaking when the phone rang. My coworkers knew my struggle so when I answered we all just sat together. The nurse told me, Leia...you’re pregnant. And your HCG level is outstanding at 257. I burst into tears. Like - was sobbing. I knew this was it...my miracle baby. I immediately left work to go surprise John. It was midday and he’s a coffee junkie so I went to Starbucks and instead of his name had them write 257 on the coffee cup. When he saw my face he could tell I’d been crying and assumed the worst of course. But then I gave him the cup and he saw the number on it. He fell back in his chair stunned and we just hugged and cried together.

Our miracle baby Eleanor James was born on January 9, 2020. We will never forget what CNY did for us when no one else could. We owe them everything. Thank you for listening to your patients, not giving up on them, and being so supportive and incredible every step of the way through the hardest battle a couple can face.

Favorite Team Member at CNY:

I would not be the person I am today or have my daughter in my arms right now if it wasn’t for Kris Ziegler.

When I was down, scared, and a nervous wreck after three failed transfers and two losses at a different clinic, she lifted me up and made me a stronger person.

She was there for me every single day during my treatments and procedures whether I needed to call or text. She answered any question I had, she held my hand, she gave me tough love when I needed it and a shoulder to cry on when I needed that.

I truly believe she is the reason I got pregnant (and Dr. Kiltz of course). I cannot say enough about her. I owe her my family. Thank you Kris - we love you!

Helpful resources Leia & John found:

Acupuncture!

Unique Moments:

The lows were definitely all the failed transfers at the first clinic we went to.

The highs were the first few weeks at CNY - how inspiring and motivating they were and how excited it made us to try again.

Hope, Inspiration and Advice:

It’s going to be hard. Be strong. Talk to people about it, don’t be ashamed or hide. And don’t give up - build a strong support group around you so you can keep going!