Samantha & Anthony’s IVF Journey
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
Anthony and I are seeking help and support from our family, friends and supportive community to grow our family. We’ve been married for 8 years now, and ever since then we have been trying to start a family of our own. If you take the time to read this, please know this wasn’t easy for both of us to put into words and share our story with all of you.
Our fertility journey started back in 2016. That year we had seen a specialist to figure out why we haven’t been able to get pregnant. It turned out I had to undergo a hysteroscopy surgery to remove polyps that were found in my uterus. After my surgery the doctor told us we can go ahead and try on our own for a few months and then if we had no success we should go back to see her and discuss further options. At that point, we were praying for a miracle that we would just be able to get pregnant on our own. After all, how hard could it really be? Needless to say, we had 0 success for 3 years, which is when we decided again to see a specialist.
In 2019, we decided to see a new specialist to see what our options could be. After running some blood tests and ultrasounds, it turned out more polyps were found in my uterus and had to undergo another hysteroscopy to have them removed. At my follow up appointment, the doctor mentioned trying IUI treatment first before attempting IVF since I didn’t seem to have any major fertility issues. That year I went through a total of 5 cycles of medicated IUI treatment. After the 5th cycle, the doctor told us our highest successful option at that point was IVF. As much as we wanted to go through with it, it turned out that both of our health insurance plans would not cover the cost. IVF would have cost us nearly $25,000, including medications. Unfortunately, we decided there was no way we would be able to afford IVF, considering that we were saving money to buy a house. Yet again, we hoped and prayed that we would be able to get pregnant on our own. Yet again, we had 0 success.
This brings us to our most recent encounter. After we moved into our new house (September 2020), we decided AGAIN to see a new specialist. After running several different tests, it turned out I needed a 3rd hysteroscopy since I had yet more polyps in my uterus to be removed. This time around though, I not only had a hysteroscopy performed, but I also had a laparoscopy to diagnose and treat endometriosis. By the time I was able to schedule the surgery (January 7, 2021) it was a new year. With this new year, my health insurance plan had made some changes and it turned out that my surgery would not be covered and we would have to pay out of pocket. (This information was relayed to me a day before my surgery). At that point, Anthony and I quickly decided to go through with the surgery and we ended up paying $5,000 out of pocket. After my follow up appointment, our doctor told us we can try on our own with medication (Clomid), since everything seemed to look good after surgery, our chances of conceiving were higher. YET AGAIN, 0 success.
This brings us to our current situation. We’ve decided NOW, that our only hope of having a baby is to start an IVF cycle. This journey has been an emotional and stressful roller coaster for the both of us (especially me being a woman who should be able to birth children naturally). It is even more stressful now that we are actually ready to fully commit to IVF and not have the finances to back us up. This is where our family, friends, supportive community come into play.
I feel the need to mention this again. This wasn’t easy for the both of us to put into words and share with all of you our personal struggle. It’s also not easy for us to ask for donations from anyone of you. We know that times have been hard since the pandemic began, but we want you all to know that all donations (big or small) are greatly appreciated. If you cannot donate at this time, we do ask to please share publicly to your friends and family so we have the chance to receive all the help we can get.
THANKS WITH LOVE,
Samantha and Anthony
Anthony and I are seeking help and support from our family, friends and supportive community to grow our family. We’ve been married for 8 years now, and ever since then we have been trying to start a family of our own. If you take the time to read this, please know this wasn’t easy for both of us to put into words and share our story with all of you.
Our fertility journey started back in 2016. That year we had seen a specialist to figure out why we haven’t been able to get pregnant. It turned out I had to undergo a hysteroscopy surgery to remove polyps that were found in my uterus. After my surgery the doctor told us we can go ahead and try on our own for a few months and then if we had no success we should go back to see her and discuss further options. At that point, we were praying for a miracle that we would just be able to get pregnant on our own. After all, how hard could it really be? Needless to say, we had 0 success for 3 years, which is when we decided again to see a specialist.
In 2019, we decided to see a new specialist to see what our options could be. After running some blood tests and ultrasounds, it turned out more polyps were found in my uterus and had to undergo another hysteroscopy to have them removed. At my follow up appointment, the doctor mentioned trying IUI treatment first before attempting IVF since I didn’t seem to have any major fertility issues. That year I went through a total of 5 cycles of medicated IUI treatment. After the 5th cycle, the doctor told us our highest successful option at that point was IVF. As much as we wanted to go through with it, it turned out that both of our health insurance plans would not cover the cost. IVF would have cost us nearly $25,000, including medications. Unfortunately, we decided there was no way we would be able to afford IVF, considering that we were saving money to buy a house. Yet again, we hoped and prayed that we would be able to get pregnant on our own. Yet again, we had 0 success.
This brings us to our most recent encounter. After we moved into our new house (September 2020), we decided AGAIN to see a new specialist. After running several different tests, it turned out I needed a 3rd hysteroscopy since I had yet more polyps in my uterus to be removed. This time around though, I not only had a hysteroscopy performed, but I also had a laparoscopy to diagnose and treat endometriosis. By the time I was able to schedule the surgery (January 7, 2021) it was a new year. With this new year, my health insurance plan had made some changes and it turned out that my surgery would not be covered and we would have to pay out of pocket. (This information was relayed to me a day before my surgery). At that point, Anthony and I quickly decided to go through with the surgery and we ended up paying $5,000 out of pocket. After my follow up appointment, our doctor told us we can try on our own with medication (Clomid), since everything seemed to look good after surgery, our chances of conceiving were higher. YET AGAIN, 0 success.
This brings us to our current situation. We’ve decided NOW, that our only hope of having a baby is to start an IVF cycle. This journey has been an emotional and stressful roller coaster for the both of us (especially me being a woman who should be able to birth children naturally). It is even more stressful now that we are actually ready to fully commit to IVF and not have the finances to back us up. This is where our family, friends, supportive community come into play.
I feel the need to mention this again. This wasn’t easy for the both of us to put into words and share with all of you our personal struggle. It’s also not easy for us to ask for donations from anyone of you. We know that times have been hard since the pandemic began, but we want you all to know that all donations (big or small) are greatly appreciated. If you cannot donate at this time, we do ask to please share publicly to your friends and family so we have the chance to receive all the help we can get.
THANKS WITH LOVE,
Samantha and Anthony
Organizer
Samantha Rello D'Agostino
Organizer
Staten Island, NY