Raeann & Gerald

By Raeann & Gerald

I always imagined getting pregnant would be easy, so few people talk about the struggles they face when trying to conceive. In 2015 we started trying for our first child, after a year of trying, we scheduled an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist, little did we know that we would naturally conceive and receive a positive pregnancy test just days before our scheduled appointment and we welcomed our son that following February.

We started trying to conceive another child in 2019, however, life had other plans including job troubles as well as a global pandemic that threw a wrench into things. In April 2022, I found out I was pregnant again, although the joy of that was short-lived as I suffered a miscarriage in June. At that point, my OB/GYN suggested another appointment with a reproductive specialist, although the soonest we could receive an appointment was that January. I wish I could say the wait flew by, but the time seemed to drag on as we continued to try naturally with no success.

That January we were finally able to see  Dr. Dawkins at Baystate Reproductive and underwent 4 unsuccessful IUIs and we made the choice to move to IVF.  I began my medications for my egg retrieval that September, underwent my retrieval the middle of October and had my first transfer October 20. I remember being so excited to see that positive pregnancy test, and with each blood draw being more and more excited to see my hCG levels increase. Unfortunately, when we went for our first ultrasound, we were told the pregnancy was not viable, and I suffered a miscarriage on Thanksgiving day. Around that time, Baystate was transitioning to Boston IVF, which resulted in a slight delay as new referrals and new patient appointments had to be scheduled.

We were assigned Dr. Korkidakis who was just absolutely wonderful from our first meeting! After some additional testing, we were able to transfer 1 of our 3 remaining frozen embryos on March 31, Easter Sunday. This time I was certainly more guarded despite rising hCG levels and multiple positive pregnancy tests, especially when I went from having multiple full-blown pregnancy symptoms to nothing just a week before my first ultrasound. I remember sitting in the waiting room at BIVF in Springfield crying because I was certain that the pregnancy was not viable, thankfully my favorite ultrasound technician who had been with me through multiple appointments over that year, Anna, was the one doing my ultrasound that day. When she showed me the screen of our little jellybean with its flickering heartbeat, my tears intensified, but this time they were tears of unbelievable happiness.

Thankfully, that little jellybean continued to grow and flourish, and we welcomed our daughter, Alexis, December 8. I cannot begin to express the gratitude I have for my original team at Baystate, most who made the transition to BIVF in Springfield (Dr. Dawkins, Anna, Elena, Paige, and so many more!), as well Dr Korkidakis for helping us complete our family. Thank you!

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

Anna, ultrasound technician at BIVF Springfield. Paige and Elena, nurses at Baystate Springfield. Dr. Dawkins and Dr. Korkidakis. All of these team members were wonderful and exceptional throughout our journey! That being said, I just want to also give a shout out to the entire BIVF Springfield team as everyone we dealt with was so amazing and supportive throughout all of our appointments.

WHAT WERE SOME HIGHS OR LOWS OF YOUR TREATMENT(S)? WHAT IS UNIQUE/DIFFERENT ABOUT YOUR STORY?

I would say the most significant low was our miscarriage following our first transfer in October 2022. Each failed IUI was also a low point as I was so hopeful each time that it would work. And the obvious high of the situation was welcoming our daughter after this journey.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER STRUGGLING WITH INFERTILITY?

Find a support system and don’t be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself.