Charlotte and Jonathan’s Journey to Baby Bell
Donation protected
My friends, Charlotte and Jonathan, are two people in my life I would give the world to, if I could. They are warm, gracious, funny, and thoughtful, and neither are the type to seek outside help. In fact, they are the ones who help others. This is why I’m asking for help on their behalf.
Their Story:
Charlotte and Jonathan first met at their small town high school, but actually got to know each other years later. It didn’t take long for them to fall in love, and after 7 years, they got married on December 8, 2018. Jonathan has a beautiful daughter, Lyric, and on that day, Charlotte became her step-mother.
They immediately started trying to have a baby, and in July of 2019, when they still hadn’t conceived, Charlotte’s gynecologist referred her to a reproductive endocrinologist (RE), which is a doctor that specializes in getting women pregnant when they’re struggling or have known issues. This was amazing news, as Charlotte wasn’t asked to wait the typical 12 months for someone her age.
After the initial testing, the RE found out Charlotte was insulin resistant and hypothyroid. Jonathan was all good, which was promising. Charlotte immediately started medication, which helped her levels get back to normal. With her levels in a normal range, Charlotte felt there was no longer any reason she couldn't get pregnant.
In November of 2019 Charlotte and Jonathan tried what’s called a medicated IUI. Charlotte was given ovulation medication in the hopes that she would produce better quality eggs and then the doctor would perform an insemination which increases the chances that the sperm will get where they need to go. After not conceiving, they decided to try the medicated IUI again in December. However, this time Charlotte would need to take very expensive injectable medicines that are also used in IVF. Unfortunately, Charlotte ovulated before the IUI procedure could be done. After that, they decided to take a few months off of treatments and decided to try IVF in the fall of 2020.
In August of 2020, they began the IVF process. After a few days of IVF injections, it was clear that Charlotte was not responding properly to the dose of medication she was on, and that she wasn’t growing nearly as many eggs as desired for a successful treatment. It was a devastating blow. Charlotte was inconsolable at the news and felt like this was her one and only shot. She knew that the little insurance coverage they had was used up, so after this there was no affording IVF in the near future, and time is everything when it comes to infertility. The doctor decided to increase the dose, but by then it was too late and they ended up with only 5 eggs retrieved. That may sound like a lot, but with every step of the process, you lose eggs, and by the time they were fertilized, only one survived and developed into an embryo after 5 days of growing in the lab.
They transferred their embryo that they hoped would grow to be their baby on September 9, 2020, and it was a day filled with so much hope and joy.
On September 21st Charlotte got her blood drawn to see if it was successful, and while she was at work she got the worst phone call of her life. Her doctor was on the other end telling her the embryo did not survive.
That was the end of their IVF journey for the foreseeable future because IVF is expensive, easily $30,000, and not many people have that kind of money at their disposal. Charlotte and Jonathan were lucky to have insurance coverage for most of the expenses the first time, but between the two IUI’s and the IVF cycle, that coverage is gone now. They look forward to the day they can try again, and not a day goes by that Charlotte doesn’t think about the longing she has to give her husband another child, to give her step-daughter a sibling, and to be a mom.
Charlotte has documented her experience via YouTube videos and on Instagram. She believes the less stigma around infertility, the better. If you’d like to follow her journey, please click on the following links.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC99x5TYlJ1KO7Pu4usl_BEg
https://www.instagram.com/charshares/?hl=en
How Your Donation Will Help:
As many of you may know, IVF is an expensive process. Your donations will go towards medication, ultrasounds, blood tests, surgical clinic fees, monitoring appointments, anesthesia, egg retrieval, embryo handling, fertilization, and embryo transfer.
Heartfelt Messages from Family and Friends:
Mona, Charlotte's Mother
I love my daughter Charlotte, and knows that she really wants to have a biological child. I think as human beings, that’s something that’s ingrained in many of us. She would like the experience of being a parent, but also experiences of birth and breastfeeding; experiences that really bond children with their parents.
Charlotte has far fewer eggs than the average woman. She and Jonathan have tried two IUI cycles, or intrauterine insemination. The experience of waiting to hear how many of their fertilized eggs were healthy was very nerve-wracking for them. When they learned that only one of three embryos made it, they still kept their fragile hopes up.
Over the two weeks between the transfer and pregnancy test, they were told not to take at-home pregnancy tests, but of course she broke that rule and drove herself crazy. After she received blood work, she learned she wasn’t pregnant and was devastated. I, in turn, was devastated for them.
I believe the best way for Charlotte and Jonathan to keep moving forward is to keep trying until they feel like they can’t try anymore. Because of the fertility issue, IVF is their only option.
It’s not super common to do multiple rounds of IVF, because, for one, it’s insanely expensive. Even if you have insurance coverage, it almost always maxes out - just like Charlotte’s did. As Charlotte’s mom, I have seen how emotionally taxing it is for her; and for Jonathan as her main support. A lot of people just don’t want to go through it more than once, which I understand but Charlotte is willing to for that chance of becoming a mother.
I know she and Jonathan will be awesome parents and I’m prayerful that this will work for her and Jonathan.
Monique, Charlotte's Sister
As her big sister, I’ve known Charlotte her entire life. She is my best friend, and the best aunt and godmother I could have chosen for my babies. Ever since we were kids, I imagined our kids growing up together and sharing the bond that we do. For so many people, a huge desire is extending our families with children to love, nurture, and watch grow. Ever since we welcomed Jonathan into our family, as the most amazing brother-in-law I could ask for, I have patiently awaited the day that dream could become a reality for them. Charlotte and Jonathan have worked hard to achieve their goals, but this one remains elusive. Infertility is a painful and expensive barrier to getting to hold and love your baby for the first time and the rest of your life. I can’t imagine a future that doesn’t include the smart, hilarious, and outspoken child my sister and her husband would have. Help us support them in finally becoming parents!
Michelle, Charlotte's Cousin
The love Charlotte and Jonathan have shown to their nieces, nephews and even my children are an indication of the unconditional love they would share with a child of their own.
Growing up with siblings, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, Charlotte has always wanted a family of her own. She deserves an opportunity to make this happen without having to worry about a financial burden. Any donation would help her and Jonathan make that dream come true.
JoAnna, Family Friend
As Charlotte’s best friend, it pains my heart to bear witness to the emotional roller coaster her and Jonathan have experienced on their journey to becoming parents. It hurts because they are such loving souls and are worthy of sharing that love with as many children their hearts desire. I admire that even after so much loss, Charlotte and Jonathan have hope. Continued prayers and endless support! I love y’all!
Alonna, thank you for putting this together and giving us the opportunity to support Charlotte and Jonathan on their journey. My fingers and toes are crossed in support of them reaching their goal.
Needum, Family Friend
Dear Charlotte and Jonathan,
I have been blessed to see true love grown and soar over the years through yall being in my life. Meeting and seeing yall move and adjust and support each other no matter what life threw your way, from: college, law school, the bar exam, crazy work schedules, family time, and more. You both have made it work and grew stronger from it. I wish you two nothing but the best in this journey. I pray everything things goes well no matter the outcome. I am always here if y'all ever need anything. Much love from the Great State to the Boot!
Shayla, Family Friend
Jonathan & Charlotte are such beautiful souls who are so deserving to get IVF. Jonathan and Charlotte are great parents to Lyric and I know that they will continue their love when they are able to expand their family. Jonathan and Charlotte’s spirit surrounding their infertility issue is so reassuring and warming even when they don’t get the news that they were expecting during the process. I love the both of them and continuously pray that God will expand their family. I’m so humbled that I get to help them on their journey. So please, help my friends with their journey with IVF and donate anything you can so their dream of growing their beautiful family may come to fruition.
Halie, Family Friend
The world needs more people like Charlotte and Johnathan. They are authentic, kind, hilarious, wonderful friends to have, and very much in love . They are great parents to Lyric, and they have so much more love to give. I can’t think of two people who are more deserving of the opportunity to grow their beautiful family. They have fought so hard for this, and having the opportunity to help them reach this dream is humbling and an honor. I love these two so much, and can’t wait to see the blessings the future brings!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to read about Charlotte and Jonathan’s journey. Please donate what you can, and if you cannot, please share this story with others. Any help you send their way will be appreciated!
Their Story:
Charlotte and Jonathan first met at their small town high school, but actually got to know each other years later. It didn’t take long for them to fall in love, and after 7 years, they got married on December 8, 2018. Jonathan has a beautiful daughter, Lyric, and on that day, Charlotte became her step-mother.
They immediately started trying to have a baby, and in July of 2019, when they still hadn’t conceived, Charlotte’s gynecologist referred her to a reproductive endocrinologist (RE), which is a doctor that specializes in getting women pregnant when they’re struggling or have known issues. This was amazing news, as Charlotte wasn’t asked to wait the typical 12 months for someone her age.
After the initial testing, the RE found out Charlotte was insulin resistant and hypothyroid. Jonathan was all good, which was promising. Charlotte immediately started medication, which helped her levels get back to normal. With her levels in a normal range, Charlotte felt there was no longer any reason she couldn't get pregnant.
In November of 2019 Charlotte and Jonathan tried what’s called a medicated IUI. Charlotte was given ovulation medication in the hopes that she would produce better quality eggs and then the doctor would perform an insemination which increases the chances that the sperm will get where they need to go. After not conceiving, they decided to try the medicated IUI again in December. However, this time Charlotte would need to take very expensive injectable medicines that are also used in IVF. Unfortunately, Charlotte ovulated before the IUI procedure could be done. After that, they decided to take a few months off of treatments and decided to try IVF in the fall of 2020.
In August of 2020, they began the IVF process. After a few days of IVF injections, it was clear that Charlotte was not responding properly to the dose of medication she was on, and that she wasn’t growing nearly as many eggs as desired for a successful treatment. It was a devastating blow. Charlotte was inconsolable at the news and felt like this was her one and only shot. She knew that the little insurance coverage they had was used up, so after this there was no affording IVF in the near future, and time is everything when it comes to infertility. The doctor decided to increase the dose, but by then it was too late and they ended up with only 5 eggs retrieved. That may sound like a lot, but with every step of the process, you lose eggs, and by the time they were fertilized, only one survived and developed into an embryo after 5 days of growing in the lab.
They transferred their embryo that they hoped would grow to be their baby on September 9, 2020, and it was a day filled with so much hope and joy.
On September 21st Charlotte got her blood drawn to see if it was successful, and while she was at work she got the worst phone call of her life. Her doctor was on the other end telling her the embryo did not survive.
That was the end of their IVF journey for the foreseeable future because IVF is expensive, easily $30,000, and not many people have that kind of money at their disposal. Charlotte and Jonathan were lucky to have insurance coverage for most of the expenses the first time, but between the two IUI’s and the IVF cycle, that coverage is gone now. They look forward to the day they can try again, and not a day goes by that Charlotte doesn’t think about the longing she has to give her husband another child, to give her step-daughter a sibling, and to be a mom.
Charlotte has documented her experience via YouTube videos and on Instagram. She believes the less stigma around infertility, the better. If you’d like to follow her journey, please click on the following links.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC99x5TYlJ1KO7Pu4usl_BEg
https://www.instagram.com/charshares/?hl=en
How Your Donation Will Help:
As many of you may know, IVF is an expensive process. Your donations will go towards medication, ultrasounds, blood tests, surgical clinic fees, monitoring appointments, anesthesia, egg retrieval, embryo handling, fertilization, and embryo transfer.
Heartfelt Messages from Family and Friends:
Mona, Charlotte's Mother
I love my daughter Charlotte, and knows that she really wants to have a biological child. I think as human beings, that’s something that’s ingrained in many of us. She would like the experience of being a parent, but also experiences of birth and breastfeeding; experiences that really bond children with their parents.
Charlotte has far fewer eggs than the average woman. She and Jonathan have tried two IUI cycles, or intrauterine insemination. The experience of waiting to hear how many of their fertilized eggs were healthy was very nerve-wracking for them. When they learned that only one of three embryos made it, they still kept their fragile hopes up.
Over the two weeks between the transfer and pregnancy test, they were told not to take at-home pregnancy tests, but of course she broke that rule and drove herself crazy. After she received blood work, she learned she wasn’t pregnant and was devastated. I, in turn, was devastated for them.
I believe the best way for Charlotte and Jonathan to keep moving forward is to keep trying until they feel like they can’t try anymore. Because of the fertility issue, IVF is their only option.
It’s not super common to do multiple rounds of IVF, because, for one, it’s insanely expensive. Even if you have insurance coverage, it almost always maxes out - just like Charlotte’s did. As Charlotte’s mom, I have seen how emotionally taxing it is for her; and for Jonathan as her main support. A lot of people just don’t want to go through it more than once, which I understand but Charlotte is willing to for that chance of becoming a mother.
I know she and Jonathan will be awesome parents and I’m prayerful that this will work for her and Jonathan.
Monique, Charlotte's Sister
As her big sister, I’ve known Charlotte her entire life. She is my best friend, and the best aunt and godmother I could have chosen for my babies. Ever since we were kids, I imagined our kids growing up together and sharing the bond that we do. For so many people, a huge desire is extending our families with children to love, nurture, and watch grow. Ever since we welcomed Jonathan into our family, as the most amazing brother-in-law I could ask for, I have patiently awaited the day that dream could become a reality for them. Charlotte and Jonathan have worked hard to achieve their goals, but this one remains elusive. Infertility is a painful and expensive barrier to getting to hold and love your baby for the first time and the rest of your life. I can’t imagine a future that doesn’t include the smart, hilarious, and outspoken child my sister and her husband would have. Help us support them in finally becoming parents!
Michelle, Charlotte's Cousin
The love Charlotte and Jonathan have shown to their nieces, nephews and even my children are an indication of the unconditional love they would share with a child of their own.
Growing up with siblings, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, Charlotte has always wanted a family of her own. She deserves an opportunity to make this happen without having to worry about a financial burden. Any donation would help her and Jonathan make that dream come true.
JoAnna, Family Friend
As Charlotte’s best friend, it pains my heart to bear witness to the emotional roller coaster her and Jonathan have experienced on their journey to becoming parents. It hurts because they are such loving souls and are worthy of sharing that love with as many children their hearts desire. I admire that even after so much loss, Charlotte and Jonathan have hope. Continued prayers and endless support! I love y’all!
Alonna, thank you for putting this together and giving us the opportunity to support Charlotte and Jonathan on their journey. My fingers and toes are crossed in support of them reaching their goal.
Needum, Family Friend
Dear Charlotte and Jonathan,
I have been blessed to see true love grown and soar over the years through yall being in my life. Meeting and seeing yall move and adjust and support each other no matter what life threw your way, from: college, law school, the bar exam, crazy work schedules, family time, and more. You both have made it work and grew stronger from it. I wish you two nothing but the best in this journey. I pray everything things goes well no matter the outcome. I am always here if y'all ever need anything. Much love from the Great State to the Boot!
Shayla, Family Friend
Jonathan & Charlotte are such beautiful souls who are so deserving to get IVF. Jonathan and Charlotte are great parents to Lyric and I know that they will continue their love when they are able to expand their family. Jonathan and Charlotte’s spirit surrounding their infertility issue is so reassuring and warming even when they don’t get the news that they were expecting during the process. I love the both of them and continuously pray that God will expand their family. I’m so humbled that I get to help them on their journey. So please, help my friends with their journey with IVF and donate anything you can so their dream of growing their beautiful family may come to fruition.
Halie, Family Friend
The world needs more people like Charlotte and Johnathan. They are authentic, kind, hilarious, wonderful friends to have, and very much in love . They are great parents to Lyric, and they have so much more love to give. I can’t think of two people who are more deserving of the opportunity to grow their beautiful family. They have fought so hard for this, and having the opportunity to help them reach this dream is humbling and an honor. I love these two so much, and can’t wait to see the blessings the future brings!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to read about Charlotte and Jonathan’s journey. Please donate what you can, and if you cannot, please share this story with others. Any help you send their way will be appreciated!
Organizer and beneficiary
Alonna Murray
Organizer
Baton Rouge, LA
Charlotte Cravins
Beneficiary