Our IVF Journey
Donation protected
Even before Theo and I were married, we talked about having a baby. There was nothing more in the world that we wanted than to see our love live beyond our hearts. After we got married, we tried for almost a year to get pregnant with no luck. We both decided that it would be best to ease our minds if we went and saw a doctor to ensure that nothing was preventing us from getting pregnant. After multiple tests, it was confirmed that my fallopian tubes were “collapsed”, thus preventing us from getting pregnant. We were devastated. My only option to getting pregnant is to have IVF.
We met with the financial counselor at Shady Grove, and I cried when I saw the number on the paper for the cost of IVF. We were told by the counselor that neither of our insurance plans had coverage for IVF and if we wanted to proceed, it would be completely out of pocket. After many discussions, we both decided that without any help from insurance, we would not be able to afford IVF treatment. Our dreams of having a baby were crushed.
For over a year, we grieved over the fact that we would never be able to have a child together, and that becoming a mother was something I would never experience. I felt betrayed by my body. Then, Theo’s insurance through his employer had open enrollment for medical insurance and had added a few more insurance plans. I called some of the insurance companies to see if there was any coverage for IVF. I wasn’t getting my hopes up, and expected a “No” from each insurance rep I spoke to, but, shockingly, the answer I got was “Yes”! After going through every emotion you can think of, I called Theo and told him that having a baby was a possibility.
Of course, just like with any medical procedure, the insurance does not cover everything, and we will still have a large out of pocket expense. On top of the IVF treatment, I will also need surgery to remove my fallopian tubes which will reduce the high risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.
Theo and I are not the type of people who like to ask for a handout, but with our dream of having a baby so close to our grasp, we are asking our family and friends for help. We will truly appreciate any amount that will assist us in getting closer to our dream of one day holding our own baby in our arms.
We met with the financial counselor at Shady Grove, and I cried when I saw the number on the paper for the cost of IVF. We were told by the counselor that neither of our insurance plans had coverage for IVF and if we wanted to proceed, it would be completely out of pocket. After many discussions, we both decided that without any help from insurance, we would not be able to afford IVF treatment. Our dreams of having a baby were crushed.
For over a year, we grieved over the fact that we would never be able to have a child together, and that becoming a mother was something I would never experience. I felt betrayed by my body. Then, Theo’s insurance through his employer had open enrollment for medical insurance and had added a few more insurance plans. I called some of the insurance companies to see if there was any coverage for IVF. I wasn’t getting my hopes up, and expected a “No” from each insurance rep I spoke to, but, shockingly, the answer I got was “Yes”! After going through every emotion you can think of, I called Theo and told him that having a baby was a possibility.
Of course, just like with any medical procedure, the insurance does not cover everything, and we will still have a large out of pocket expense. On top of the IVF treatment, I will also need surgery to remove my fallopian tubes which will reduce the high risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.
Theo and I are not the type of people who like to ask for a handout, but with our dream of having a baby so close to our grasp, we are asking our family and friends for help. We will truly appreciate any amount that will assist us in getting closer to our dream of one day holding our own baby in our arms.
Organizer
Michelle Claiborne
Organizer
Catonsville, MD
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