A Baby for the Blairs
Donation protected
Hello family and friends! As you know, my name is Lauren Blair and I have been with my college sweetheart, Chad, for over 10 years. Many of you have inquired about when Chad and I would be starting our family. Before reading this GoFundMe page, you probably did not know that we have been facing fertility issues. We recently were confronted with the news that In vitro (IVF) would be the only way for us to start a family.
The Back Story
Chad and I have been trying to conceive for the past 6 of our 7 years we've been married. Although, it's hard to really worry about not getting pregnant when you have the excuse of your husband being gone so frequently for the military!
However, after enough time passed, it was clear something was not right. We went to a variety of doctors that included gynecologists, urologists, & both male and female fertility specialists. Finally, we got some answers, and after being put on medicine that would increase numbers, we simply had to wait...years.
The last 2 years have been a waiting game of being put on various medicines to see what results they could get in order to help us begin a family of our own. Deep down, we figured we would eventually get pregnant through an IUI procedure (aka - turkey baster, haha) and spend around $3,000 to have a child.
The Waiting
I took the following picture in April of 2016. For me, it represented both our love and our private struggle with fertility. No couple should ever have to go through the struggle of not being able to conceive a child. However, we were determined to make the most of the hand we had been dealt. If we could live this military life and make it through a deployment, then we could handle this curve ball life threw us too.
I cannot explain the pain and overall sense of emptiness we have felt over the course of these few months. It is beyond words. We continuously prayed to God that if we were not meant to be a parents, then please remove the longing from our heart.
Things such as buying a 4 bedroom house 5 years ago and painting the "nursery" in anticipation of starting a family are the hardest to swallow. Or buying an Ohio State onesie in hopes you would one day surprise your husband with good news. Finally, the countless social media posts of baby announcements, gender reveals, and every day little moments your sweet families get to enjoy with your precious blessings.
I am proud at how Chad and I have stood by each other in this difficult time. I am starting to understand THIS is God's plan for us and our family. To share our story, and raise awareness about fertility.
I will be eternally grateful to my family and friends who supported us through this difficult time. Even literally holding me in their arms and wiping away the tears as another month went by without any resolve. <333
In Vitro (IVF)
At the beginning of December, we found out that we qualified for IVF. Although, we now realize this is a blessing, it was completely unexpected and a LOT to absorb.
After getting the green light from the fertility specialists at the end of December, we have been cleared to begin this process as soon as January or February!
After YEARS of waiting for a miracle, Chad and I can FINALLY take the steps in our journey to start a family and experience the joys of raising a child. From holding your newborn in your arms and looking into your partner's eyes, in awe of the miracle that your love created to the pitter-patter of tiny feet filling up your home.....as well as fighting over who has to change the poopy diaper! Haha :) We are beyond ready for it ALL!
What is IVF?
In short, IVF is a nearly $20,000 procedure where they will provide me with fertility drugs (Mostly shots...yay! I'm ready, bring it on!) in order to stimulate and mature my eggs. After a few weeks, they will put me to sleep and remove my eggs.
Next, they will fertilize my eggs and help them develop. After about 5 days, they will place the embryos that survived back into me and we will wait 2 weeks to find out if we are pregnant!
Gratitude
After the good news, I reached out to several friends and asked them to pray for Chad and I, especially financially. It is an understatement to say that we have felt God's hand upon us through this journey.
My AMAZING co-workers at West Teays Elementary chose Chad and me as the recipient of our annual Christmas auction. I cannot explain the love and support I felt in the room that day. I will be forever thankful.
Their donation, as well as a caring friend's suggestion, sparked an idea of what a wonderful, supportive community Chad and I live.
How You Can Help?
We will need money in order to pay for the expensive fertility drugs that our insurance, like many others, unfortunately does not cover.
Chad and I will need to pay a large down payment by the end of January or beginning of February in order to start the fertility medicine and begin our cycle of IVF.
Other expenses will include ultrasounds, blood work, the egg retreival procedure, the embryo implantation, and the monitoring of the embryos throughout the couple of months of IVF.
We are asking for your donation in order to help us achieve our goal of finally starting a family! If you are unable to donate, we appreciate you taking the time to read and share our story. Please use our #ababyfortheblairs in order to create awareness of our story. Thank you in advance!
We want to bring awareness to the cost of IVF, as well as the silent struggle of fertility. 1 in 8 people struggle with infertility.
If nothing else, please take away how sensitive of a subject this is for couples. Again, thank you for reading our story and offering your support and prayers.
If anyone reading this can relate and needs someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out. Let me know how we can help and pray for you.
Happy New Year! Here is to an exciting 2018, where our hope is secure in the Lord and the possibilities are endless!!! <3
THANK YOU!
Chad and Lauren Blair
The Back Story
Chad and I have been trying to conceive for the past 6 of our 7 years we've been married. Although, it's hard to really worry about not getting pregnant when you have the excuse of your husband being gone so frequently for the military!
However, after enough time passed, it was clear something was not right. We went to a variety of doctors that included gynecologists, urologists, & both male and female fertility specialists. Finally, we got some answers, and after being put on medicine that would increase numbers, we simply had to wait...years.
The last 2 years have been a waiting game of being put on various medicines to see what results they could get in order to help us begin a family of our own. Deep down, we figured we would eventually get pregnant through an IUI procedure (aka - turkey baster, haha) and spend around $3,000 to have a child.
The Waiting
I took the following picture in April of 2016. For me, it represented both our love and our private struggle with fertility. No couple should ever have to go through the struggle of not being able to conceive a child. However, we were determined to make the most of the hand we had been dealt. If we could live this military life and make it through a deployment, then we could handle this curve ball life threw us too.
I cannot explain the pain and overall sense of emptiness we have felt over the course of these few months. It is beyond words. We continuously prayed to God that if we were not meant to be a parents, then please remove the longing from our heart.
Things such as buying a 4 bedroom house 5 years ago and painting the "nursery" in anticipation of starting a family are the hardest to swallow. Or buying an Ohio State onesie in hopes you would one day surprise your husband with good news. Finally, the countless social media posts of baby announcements, gender reveals, and every day little moments your sweet families get to enjoy with your precious blessings.
I am proud at how Chad and I have stood by each other in this difficult time. I am starting to understand THIS is God's plan for us and our family. To share our story, and raise awareness about fertility.
I will be eternally grateful to my family and friends who supported us through this difficult time. Even literally holding me in their arms and wiping away the tears as another month went by without any resolve. <333
In Vitro (IVF)
At the beginning of December, we found out that we qualified for IVF. Although, we now realize this is a blessing, it was completely unexpected and a LOT to absorb.
After getting the green light from the fertility specialists at the end of December, we have been cleared to begin this process as soon as January or February!
After YEARS of waiting for a miracle, Chad and I can FINALLY take the steps in our journey to start a family and experience the joys of raising a child. From holding your newborn in your arms and looking into your partner's eyes, in awe of the miracle that your love created to the pitter-patter of tiny feet filling up your home.....as well as fighting over who has to change the poopy diaper! Haha :) We are beyond ready for it ALL!
What is IVF?
In short, IVF is a nearly $20,000 procedure where they will provide me with fertility drugs (Mostly shots...yay! I'm ready, bring it on!) in order to stimulate and mature my eggs. After a few weeks, they will put me to sleep and remove my eggs.
Next, they will fertilize my eggs and help them develop. After about 5 days, they will place the embryos that survived back into me and we will wait 2 weeks to find out if we are pregnant!
Gratitude
After the good news, I reached out to several friends and asked them to pray for Chad and I, especially financially. It is an understatement to say that we have felt God's hand upon us through this journey.
My AMAZING co-workers at West Teays Elementary chose Chad and me as the recipient of our annual Christmas auction. I cannot explain the love and support I felt in the room that day. I will be forever thankful.
Their donation, as well as a caring friend's suggestion, sparked an idea of what a wonderful, supportive community Chad and I live.
How You Can Help?
We will need money in order to pay for the expensive fertility drugs that our insurance, like many others, unfortunately does not cover.
Chad and I will need to pay a large down payment by the end of January or beginning of February in order to start the fertility medicine and begin our cycle of IVF.
Other expenses will include ultrasounds, blood work, the egg retreival procedure, the embryo implantation, and the monitoring of the embryos throughout the couple of months of IVF.
We are asking for your donation in order to help us achieve our goal of finally starting a family! If you are unable to donate, we appreciate you taking the time to read and share our story. Please use our #ababyfortheblairs in order to create awareness of our story. Thank you in advance!
We want to bring awareness to the cost of IVF, as well as the silent struggle of fertility. 1 in 8 people struggle with infertility.
If nothing else, please take away how sensitive of a subject this is for couples. Again, thank you for reading our story and offering your support and prayers.
If anyone reading this can relate and needs someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out. Let me know how we can help and pray for you.
Happy New Year! Here is to an exciting 2018, where our hope is secure in the Lord and the possibilities are endless!!! <3
THANK YOU!
Chad and Lauren Blair
Organizer
Lauren Blair
Organizer
