Emily & Patrick

By Emily & Patrick

Our journey to parenthood began with a clear understanding that IVF would be our only path forward, as my husband had a prior vasectomy and a reversal wasn’t an option. He underwent a surgical sperm retrieval, and we moved forward with IVF using ICSI.

From the moment we decided to pursue IVF, it took 2.5 years to get pregnant with our son. One of our biggest early hurdles was cost — we didn’t have insurance coverage for IVF, so we had to wait and save before moving forward. Then, just as we were ready, our doctor — Dr. Delaney — transitioned to Boston IVF. We waited again so we could follow her to her new practice. And once we finally started treatment, I developed OHSS, which meant we had to delay our transfer and wait two more months to proceed with a frozen transfer.

It felt like our journey was filled with waiting. The hardest part was staying emotionally grounded through it all — the waiting to begin, the waiting for results, and especially the two-week wait after our transfer.

Thankfully, we were successful on our first IVF cycle and had three viable embryos. We transferred one and got pregnant with our son, Liam.

My husband was my rock through it all. I didn’t have a wider support system or know anyone who had gone through IVF, but he never let me feel alone in the process.

Our experience at Boston IVF was incredible. Dr. Delaney was so thorough, thoughtful, and communicative — we always knew exactly what to expect, which made a world of difference.

Now, on the other side of IVF, pregnancy, and the NICU, it almost feels like a lifetime ago — like a blur that we somehow made it through. Liam is 5.5 months old, healthy, joyful, and endlessly curious. He has no developmental delays from his prematurity, and watching him grow has brought so much healing. Everytime I see his smile or hear his laugh, I’m reminded that all the waiting, hoping, and heartbreak were worth it a thousand times over. He is truly the light at the end of along tunnel.

HOW DID YOUR BOSTON IVF PHYSICIAN AND NURSING TEAM HELP TO MAKE YOUR JOURNEY A SUCCESS?

Dr. Delaney was incredible — we followed her to Boston IVF for a reason. She made us feel seen, heard, and cared for every step of the way. We are so thankful she was the one overseeing our treatment.

I’ll also never forget the nurse who comforted me the morning of my egg retrieval. I was in so much pain and so overwhelmed, and she quietly took me aside and helped me gather myself with compassion and care. I wish I knew her name so I could thank her directly.

What were some highs or lows of your treatment(s)? What is unique/different about your story?

The biggest low was the waiting. It felt like a never-ending series of pauses: waiting to save, waiting for our doctor’s practice transition, waiting to heal from OHSS, waiting for the transfer, waiting for the results. Emotionally, the two-week wait after the frozen transfer was especially intense.

Our biggest high was finally hearing “you’re pregnant”after all of that — it felt surreal. Another moment I’ll never forget was watching the ultrasound screen during our transfer and seeing the embryo that would becomeour son and feeling that immediate sense of hope.

Our story is also unique in that our IVF journey was just the beginning. At 28 weeks pregnant, I developed preeclampsia and was hospitalized until I delivered via C-section at 32 weeks. Our son spent 30 days in the NICU — and came home strong. That chapter added another layer of gratitude and resilience to our story.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER STRUGGLING WITH INFERTILITY?

IVF will test you in ways you never expected —emotionally, physically, and mentally. Give yourself permission to feel everything without guilt. The waiting, the unknowns, and the setbacks can be brutal, but it’s okay to take breaks and breathe when it gets heavy.

Lean on your partner, your people, or even just one person who can hold space for you. You don’t need to do this alone. If your journey looks different than you imagined — that’s okay. There’s so much strength in choosing the path that’s right for you.

Lastly, don’t forget to celebrate the tiny milestones. Every step forward — no matter how small — is worth recognizing.