IVF Journey: Making Baby Kernik-Theisen

​For those who don’t know us, let us introduce ourselves! We are Saul and Dana. We met working at an organization focused on supporting kids in reaching their academic potential. With a combined 20+ years in the fields of education and pediatrics, we have a deep appreciation for the candor and resiliency that kids bring to the world.

In 2020 after 4 years of marriage we decided it was time to embark on the journey of growing our family. However, little did we know that the resiliency we came to admire in the youth we had worked with in the past, was something we’d need to exercise ourselves.

Excitement about starting the process soon turned into frustration due to repeated failed attempts at conceiving naturally. We sought medical support to gain a better understanding of what might be preventing us from conceiving. After tiring nights of research and numerous appointments and phone calls, we determined that diagnostic testing for infertility would give us some answers. Multiple appointments later, we learned we were awarded the gold medal for “dream team of infertility”. We were dealing with male and female factor infertility! Lucky us.

We were optimistic that the least invasive option presented - Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) - would be successful. Although there was only a 12% chance per IUI, we put hope in our medical team and the multi-faceted approach they were prescribing including oral medication, injections, frequent ultrasound monitoring, and precise timing of the IUI procedure. Unfortunately after failed attempts in March, May, June, & July, we had diminished hope in this process and were left wondering what was next.

Throughout the IUI process, Dana’s analytical passion for research (aka Type A personality), drove her to explore not only how to make the IUI process as successful as possible, but learn what might come next. She pored over books, articles, social media infertility groups, and notes from conversations with providers. After countless hours of research we determined that the appropriate next step for our family was In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The Twin Cities is fortunate to have five different infertility clinics, giving multiple options for care. We chose to work with CCRM Minneapolis, given their superior outcomes, lab, and proximity to home.

In July 2021, we had our first consultation to review our medical history as it pertained to infertility, and discuss how our conditions would respond to IVF treatment. Despite the significant investment of time and money, the likelihood of a favorable outcome for our profile urged us to move forward.

8 days before starting the IVF process we unexpectedly and tragically lost our precious dog, Tosa, who thus far, had been our built-in emotional support. On September 11th 2021 Dana started the first step of IVF: follicular stimulation (stimming). This part of the IVF process is intended to grow the follicles, and thus eggs, housed in the ovaries. The more follicles, equates to more eggs, increasing the chances of successful fertilization. The stimming process entailed 15 days of daily injections; both morning and night. During the course of this period, with the increased number of hormones, Dana’s body experienced a number of negative side effects including nausea, fatigue, mood swings, and severe bloating. Constant monitoring of the growing follicles was completed at CCRM Minneapolis. Almost daily appointments were scheduled to conduct ultrasounds allowing for visual tracking of the follicles and adjustment to the injections as needed.

On September 26th, we undertook the next and most invasive phase of IVF: egg retrieval. This process typically involves a 30 minute outpatient surgery where all of the eggs that have been stimulated to grow by the daily injections are retrieved. This surgery is invasive enough that each individual is put under anesthesia. It was a blessing and a curse that Dana’s condition resulted in a significant number of eggs. A blessing in that 52 were retrieved- one of the highest collections in recent CCRM history. A curse in that ramifications included severe post surgery side effects for Dana, resulting in the need for continued daily injections to ensure she didn’t develop Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Recovery took a week.

Following this procedure was a multiple week period of uncertainty mixed with hope. A significant component of IVF is attrition; only a small percentage of retrieved eggs become fertilized and result in viable embryos. Of the 52 eggs, 38 were mature. Of those 38 mature eggs, 19 fertilized. Of those 19 fertilized eggs, 9 made it to the embryo stage. Of those 9 embryos, 7 tested genetically normal. We were thrilled to have 7 viable embryos to build our family!

After a month of recovery, in October 2021, Dana started preparing for the last phase of IVF: embryo transfer. In this process, the body is prepped to transfer one of the viable embryos in hopes that it will “stick” and result in pregnancy. While many people believe the stimming phase involves the most medication, this phase included a complicated mix of injections, oral pills, vaginal inserts, & medication patches. After a month of preparing the body to build a habitable environment for an embryo, we transferred our best graded embryo on November 24th, 2021.

After the embryo transfer came the painstaking two week wait to test for pregnancy. This was the first time that we felt “normal.” Other couples who conceive naturally also experience this same anxiety-inducing wait. On December 3rd 2021, Dana went in for bloodwork to test hCG levels, which above 50, are indicative of being pregnant. At 12:05pm, we received the call we had been waiting for since November 2020. Dana was pregnant!

According to the CDC and National Institute of Child Health and Development, we are 1 in 8. 12%. 1 in 8 bear the burden of the deep emotional, physical, and psychological impact that infertility causes. We have walked our own road, including 87 appointments, 101 injections, 30 ultrasounds, 3,845 supplements and prescription pills, & 1 surgery. Our road is unique and is just one path that has been taken to achieve this outcome.

For those of you who know us well, you know that asking for help is not a natural state for the Kernik-Theisens! We pride ourselves in being self-sufficient. However, to date, between infertility diagnostic testing, infertility treatments, medications, and mileage to and from appointments, we are responsible for a total out-of-pocket bill of $40,000. Neither of us were fortunate to have fertility coverage through our respective insurance policies. Therefore, this bill, on top of future child care and supplies necessary for our newest family member, have added up quickly. We are asking for your support and would be so appreciative of any help you can provide.

We have been very aware of our privilege in having the choice to go through this journey to create our family. Therefore, a portion of the funds raised will be donated to the Seed Community Fund, a local Twin Cities non-profit based in North Minneapolis. Seed Community Fund focuses on providing equitable access to prenatal care for underserved neighbors in our community. For more information, please visit their website: http://www.seedcommunityfund.org/

Thank you for taking the time to read about our journey. We are over the moon, and can't wait for baby Kernik-Theisen to experience a world that includes ALL of you incredible people!