Infertility is a personal and often emotionally draining journey that, while in it, feels desperately alone and as if there is no end. If you are having trouble conceiving, it may be encouraging to know that there is hope. Here are a few infertility success stories — personal journeys which may inspire you.

Amanda’s Story
After trying to conceive for 31/2 years Amanda went to see a fertility treatment center where she was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries. After some hard and stressful times, IVF helped her complete her family.

Zannyha’s Story
At 25, Zannyha and her husband were surprised to find that they were pregnant without trying too hard. The pregnancy was completely uneventful until the very last moment when her daughter went into fetal distress and was born dead. After this heartbreaking tragedy, the couple decided to wait before tying to have another child. After 3 years, when they decided they were ready to try again, they found it difficult to get pregnant. Within 5 years they had cashed in retirement funds and sold their home to pursue treatments at the fertility treatment center. The stress began to have an impact on their relationship and she felt that sex was purely for the purpose of getting pregnant, lacking romance or emotion. Just when they though all hope was gone, they found they were pregnant with their beautiful baby girl.

Helen’s IVF Story
Never dreaming that infertility would be part of her life, 33-year-old Helen and her husband went to a fertility treatment center after 2 years of trying to conceive. After a devastating miscarriage and months of emotional highs and lows, the couple welcomed a baby girl who is the joy of their life.

Kellie’s Story
Infertility is difficult, especially when you are surrounded by young couples all starting families. For Kellie, living on a Military base while experiencing fertility problems was a heart rending experience. With a husband who was deployed 3 times to Iraq, it was easy to assume that stress could be a contributing factor. Weight may have also been a contributing factor she feels and underwent a gastric bypass. However, after seeing the help of RE, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Soon, Kellie had the wonderful news that she was pregnant and after a grueling pregnancy, welcomed a new little girl to the family.

Mary’s Story
Mary and her husband endured 8 emotionally draining years of visiting the fertility treatment center and learning all there is to know about infertility. Having a child just did not seem like it would be part of their future, until, Christmas morning brought happy news.

PJ’s Story of Premature Menopause
At 35, PJ never guessed that she and her husband would have difficulty having a child. After a year of trying, she and her husband decided to see a specialist at the fertility treatment center for help. After 3 failed IUIs, they decided to investigate other options. Soon, PJ found to her surprise that she had conceived naturally.

1. When should a couple consider going to a fertility treatment center for consultation?
For couples 35 years old and younger and no known fertility problems, most fertility experts recommend seeing a specialist if conception has not taken place after a year or more of well-timed intercourse. Couples over 35 should consider seeking specialized help after six months, and those with known fertility issues should seek the help of specialists as soon as they are considering starting a family.

2. What Can We do to Increase Our Chances of Becoming Pregnant?
Naturally, increasing the amount of intercourse during a cycle will increase your chances of becoming pregnant, as well as having intercourse the day you ovulate or immediately before you ovulate.

3. How Do I Know When I am Ovulating?
If you have a regular cycle, approximate ovulation is easy to calculate. Counting forward from the first day of your period, ovulation occurs 15 to 19 days into the cycle. Your body also gives certain clues. The mucus changes and becomes the consistency of egg white. Some women also feel a sharp pain in the abdomen when the egg is released.

4. Is it Possible to Improve Sperm Count or Sperm Quality?
Most fertility treatment centers recommend wearing looser fitting undergarments as well as well as taking cool showers over hot baths to promote better sperm production. Smoking and alcohol consumption also play a role in poor sperm production.

5. When Can I Take a Pregnancy Test After IUI?
Taking a pregnancy too early can result in a false positive. The best time to take a pregnancy test is after 16 from the last IUI.

6. How Much Does Treatment Cost?
The cost of fertility treatment will vary depending on the fertility treatment center you choose and the treatment protocol. IVF treatments can cost between $10,000 to $20,000.

7. Is There an Increased Risk of Birth Defects in Babies Conceived Using Fertility Treatments?
Many studies are ongoing concerning the risks of birth defects associated with fertility treatments. Most studies do confirm a slight increase in the rate of some birth defects such as cleft lips, bowel problems and malformed hearts. It is unknown whether these abnormalities are caused by the treatment itself or if they are related to the root causes of the infertility.

8. Should Women Start Fertility Treatments With Their Regular OB on Clomid?
It is highly recommended that patients having difficulty conceiving consult a fertility treatment center before beginning treatment. Most physicians prescribe Clomid, which has a 12-cycle lifetime maximum recommended usage. Fertility treatment centers will run expansive tests before beginning treatments, including testing of the male partner, which may rule out the necessity of using Clomid altogether. Additionally, the use of some drugs may be counter productive in some women.

9. How Do You Choose A Fertility Treatment Center?
The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination recommends seeking board approved M.D.s who have completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and clinics with success rates with in the national averages. Support groups can also provide information on reputable, experienced centers.

10. How Long Should Fertility Treatments be Pursued Before Investigating Other Options?
Choosing to continue fertility treatments is a very personal choice which depends on many factors. Factors such as age, finances, and stress all play a role. Ultimately, weighing the desire for a family through any means is weighed against the possibility of a family through biologic means.