IF is the acronym for infertility, but it's commonly the first thing I hear couples say when they've been trying to conceive for a while. "If only my body would respond to these injections, if only I hadn't waited to start treatment, if only someone had told me..." If only you knew, you're not alone! Your infertility journey is shared by many. We hope to cultivate a forum that speaks to everyone about the very real issue of infertility while educating you about your own fertility.
"Our infertility journey began like so many others – 'I'll just take a few tests and if they don't come back perfect, then I'll just take a few pills, and I will be pregnant in no time.' Considering I had no trouble getting pregnant the first time, why should I even think there would be a problem the second? But after six failed IUIs (and many of those aforementioned pills), we knew we had a problem on our hands. It was time to change things up, and certainly time for a new doctor. We had been going to one who had a very good reputation for many, many years, but after our experience with him, it became clear that he was just riding on that reputation and probably getting ready for retirement.
Kristin Lalla and her children
The best thing to happen to us in our infertility journey was meeting Dr. Browne. She was a breath of fresh air from the very first meeting and we knew that if I didn't become pregnant under her guidance, then it was definitely God's will, and we should just give up. That is how much confidence we had in her knowledge, right from the start. And somehow we knew right away that being unsuccessful would not be the case with Dr. Browne in our corner.
Within approximately six months, I was pregnant with our second child, a boy who was born in August 2013. Just over two years later, we returned to Dr. Browne, and after only one transfer with a frozen embryo, I was pregnant with our third, who is due in a matter of weeks.
Everyone's journey is different, and I've learned that so many more people struggle with infertility than you would ever know. Slowly but surely, people came out of the woodwork to tell me about their infertility struggles, since I had been very open with my own. It helps.
IF only I had known that infertility doesn't always happen to 'other people.' Sometimes, just like that, you become other people. But with perseverance, confidence, and one very special doctor, there is always hope."
"We were recommended to see Dr. Browne by my OB/GYN who told us that there was no reproductive endocrinologist more wonderful to work with than her. Infertility is such a difficult thing to go through, but having Dr. Browne by your side is like having a personal cheerleader 24/7.
My husband and I had been trying for a year and had been relying on ovulation predictor kits which were not working at all! From the moment I spoke with Dr. Browne, I felt like she truly cared. You are not a number to her, like you are to so many doctors in this day and age. When I told her my history, she listened compassionately, never once judging, and gave me back the hope that I had lost.
Dr. Browne is part of a really lovely practice called Hudson Valley Fertility with another extremely warm and kindhearted doctor named Dr. Daniel Levine. He ended up doing my polyp removal surgery right before I continued treatment with Dr. Browne, and was absolutely fantastic and reassuring! Hudson Valley Fertility is such a special place.
Dr. Browne now works in her Somers, NY office, which is very convenient to get to, but honestly I would have followed her halfway across the world to have her as my doctor. She is invested 100% in the care of her patients and their families. Her positive and sunny outlook makes infertility treatments (dare I say) exciting. I used to get thrilled every time I got an email or phone call from Dr. Browne, with an update about my progesterone levels going up, or the health of my egg follicles. It was better than winning the lottery, to have my personal doctor update me on every detail, no matter how large or small. That type of relationship with your doctor doesn’t exist elsewhere. Not only can you personally reach out to Dr. Browne by email or phone, she generally contacts you first before you even have time for any worry to set in! This is a rare gift in this age of factory style medicine, and you would be hard pressed to find this type of care anywhere but the dedicated empathetic hands of Dr. Browne. And the best part is that she delivers what she promises…we are expecting our little bundle of joy in January 2017!
After a negative home pregnancy test, I wrote an email to Dr. Browne telling her that I was lying on the couch moping and crying. An hour later, she called after receiving my blood results saying “get your feet off the couch and stop crying….you are pregnant!” I felt her excitement for me every bit as deeply as I felt my own joy!
If you want the best care in the universe delivered straight from the heart…go see Dr. Browne! If only I had known that monitoring is much more accurate than using ovulation predictor kits, I would have come to Dr. Browne sooner, instead of waiting!"
If you would like to share your infertility story, please email us at if.campaign1@gmail.com or visit out FB page, www.facebook.com/if.campaign1."My story begins back in 2006. On June 24, at the age of 23, I married the man I loved. We had been together for 5 years and knew we wanted to build a life and a family together. I stopped taking my birth control pills right after the wedding (after being on them for 6 years) and we began to try right away. We were young, in relatively good health, and just 'knew' that we would have no trouble getting pregnant. But, as we all know, it’s not always that easy, and that would prove to be true for us. Month after month went by and not only did we not get pregnant, but I wasn’t getting my period. After 12 months of no birth control, no period, and no positive pregnancy test, I begged my doctor to try and find out what was wrong. An ultrasound and HSG later, it was determined that I had PCOS. After a little bit of research I discovered that weight loss can help you to ovulate if you are overweight and suffer from PCOS (both of which applied to me), so I began a weight loss program and started dropping weight. My period came back within a few months.
Jen MacLeod & Samuel
1 year and 6 months after we first started trying, I had my very first positive pregnancy test. I was over the moon. I had hopes and dreams and loved that baby from the moment I knew it was growing inside me. 4 weeks later, on Valentine’s Day, my first sweet baby went to heaven. 2 of it’s siblings followed it that year, in July and December. 3 miscarriages finally qualified me to have further testing and after numerous vials of blood, I was told that I have Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin Gene Mutation – two blood disorders that cause over clotting of the blood. It was likely that these were causing my miscarriages. We devised a plan for the next pregnancy but it was all for naught as my marriage fell apart shortly thereafter.
6 months after my husband left me, I would meet the man who would show me how a relationship should work. Someone who treated me with love and respect, no matter what. In 2013 we got married and again, we knew we wanted to have a child (ideally children) of our own. My husband knew of my past fertility problems and was ready to do whatever we needed to do. I met with a hematologist to make sure it would be safe to carry a child. The day that he told me it would be perfectly ok for me to have a child was the day that I got my period. That day was also the day I began my first ever round of clomid to help me ovulate.
By the grace of God (and a whole lot of “trying”) my husband and I conceived that very first cycle in July of 2013. I immediately began a regiment of baby aspirin, progesterone supplements and daily Lovenox injections (and MANY prayers). My pregnancy was as uneventful as anyone could hope for and on April 23, 2014 my beautiful rainbow baby, Samuel, was born at a healthy 8 lbs 7 oz and 20 ¾” long. He has been our absolute joy for the past 2 years and I hope that by telling my story it will give other women who are struggling, hope and to help break the silence and stigma around infertility."
- Jen MacLeod
"IF only I had met my husband earlier I wouldn't have so many issues getting pregnant. IF only I had quit smoking sooner I would have gotten pregnant sooner. IF only I had exercised more and ate better I would have gotten to experience motherhood sooner.
These are statements I make to myself all the time but, the reality is I cannot control what is already done. All I can do is change my path. I lost weight, starting eating gluten free, stopped smoking and prayed A LOT!
I began this last journey in September 2015 and started a 3 month treatment before beginning my prep cycle. In early December 2015 I began the prepping of my body for the transfer in January 2016. It seemed like a lifetime but, January finally came and I was ready ... AGAIN! As I laid on the table with my husband by my side all I thought is I hope this works but, I am sure it won't. I can't help it after 5 years of trying and multiple failed attempts I have no faith! But I never gave up, even when my husband wanted to, I said no. I prayed to statues, I tried stones, yoga, diet, exercise, Reihki, prayers, crying, laughing and so so much more! FINALLY the day is here, it is pregnancy test time ... Oh boy I know I feel different but, I am not sure what it means, OK let's go see what happens!
Well the first pregnancy test was a success my Beta came back at 75 not to wait the dreaded 2 days and go back again. Test 2 day is here, oh no my Beta numbers didn't double, well I knew this was a possibility so I am not going to say anything to my husband just yet. Come back in 2 more days I am told...Well pregnancy test 3 Beta came back at 152, still not doubling, OK i was prepared for the worst so I am ok with this possibility of this not sticking.
Pregnancy test #4 was 4 days later, the Beta came back at 489 which is great but it has been 4 days so who knows if that's really good or not. The doctor says let me see you in 2 weeks...OMG what am I going to do with myself for the next 2 weeks?????
I finally told my husband by handing him a bag of pregnancy tests that were dated everyday for the past month! Of course he was shocked, he figured because I didn't say anything it must not have worked. BUT IT DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Off to the doctor's office 2 weeks later which would make us 6 weeks pregnant at this point, I hop up on the table that I had been on so many times before and looked at that dreaded ultrasound machine which was going to be my confirmation of success and as the probe entered me I froze, not knowing what to do except not move. I look at the doctor's face and see shock! IT IS THERE and there is a yolk and sac!!! WHATTTTTTT???????? Doc turns up the volume and my husband starts laughing as we hear the heartbeat for the first time! OK see you in 2 weeks, the doctor said to me. OH NO another 2 week wait!!!
Baby Koutsidis-Exarhakos
The day finally arrived, I am now officially 8 weeks pregnant and once again I hop up on the table and really prepare for the worst as I have no pregnancy symptoms at all. There goes that probe I had become all too friendly with over the years and WHAT? It is still there? HOLY COW we may just have success with this IVF! I was graduating to a regular OB and left the RE's office not knowing what to say since I hadn't seen a GYN in years since beginning this journey.
Well fast forward to today and I am a healthy 14 Weeks and 4 days pregnant at 42 years old and due 3 days before my 43rd birthday! We finally made an announcement and began to tell everyone who would listen that we are expecting. I am still nervous but that's my mind playing tricks on me because for all the heartache and loss over the years I am still worried but officially I have nothing to be worried about!
So that's my journey of only the past few months and I will end by saying this .... IF ONLY I had not found Dr. Browne, I may not be writing this today!!!!!"
- Anastasia Stacie Koutsidis-ExarhakosIf you would like to share your infertility story, please email us at if.campaign1@gmail.com or visit out FB page, www.facebook.com/if.campaign1.
