Katie & JJ IVF to start a Family

September 8th, 2010....the date our love story started. January 11th, 2014.....the day we said I do. May 20th, 2019....the day we were told it would take a miracle for us to get pregnant naturally and that our only option was IVF. The day that our dream of becoming parents and building our family felt out of reach.

On our honeymoon, in 2014, we decided that I would go off birth control. We didn't plan anything, we decided that if we got pregnant that it would be a welcomed blessing. Then years passed, years of trying, years of wondering what was wrong. You grow up being told to be careful and to use precautions; then there comes a time when you want more than anything to have a baby and your body doesn't want to cooperate. We took the first step and started to see a specialist where a game plan was developed. We did blood work, countless tests and appointments, and I also had a laparoscopy for my Stage 2 Endometriosis. Even with all that work we still weren't getting pregnant; that's when we received the overwhelming news that the only thing our bodies should be able to do naturally wouldn't come natural for us. The news that in order for us to have a baby we would have to IVF; one of the most expensive ways to conceive.

A couple's desire to build a family shouldn't be dictated by the state they live in or lack of help from insurance we pay for. Living in the state of Missouri insurance companies are not mandated to cover infertility treatment. You can imagine the devastation you feel when getting the news that you will never be able to conceived a child naturally; then the daunting feeling of not knowing how you will afford to have a child.

Typically we aren't the type of people to share our grief or ask for help. We've sat with this for years, putting it off to the side,, in hopes that just maybe a miracle would happen. Unfortunately; building a family isn't as easy for some couples as it is for others. I've said no so many times to starting a Go Fund Me; but I've come to the realization that it's okay to ask for help; especially when we have so many loved ones that care and want to help you through a difficult time in our lives.

We are looking forward to a miracle and ask that you would join us in growing our family. There are three ways to be involved:

1. Give to help with the cost of IVF.

2. Share this campaign via your social media and email lists.

3. Pray for a successful outcome and favor with medical providers.

Below is a breakdown of IVF from our original fertility specialist; that is now retiring. We are currently searching for a new doctor.

IVF Cost Estimate:

IVF/Injections Class $150

Infectious disease labs $500

Other Lab (autoimmune labs, semen analysis) $500

Doctor's Fees $2850

Hospital and IVF Lab $4000

Anesthesia $440

SHG (sonohysterogram, uterine cavity evaluation) $241

Ultrasounds $600-1200

Monitoring Labs $228-700

Medications $2500-4500

HGC Pregnancy Test $25

Total: $12,034 - $15,106

IVF has many moving parts, and the first attempt may not work. If we raise extra funds, they will pay for steps of the process that need to be repeated. We are so grateful that we have so many people that care and love us. We look forward to starting this journey to build our family and are so excited to share our journey with you.

Love,

Katie & J.J. Attaway