IVF for Baby Bowell
Donation protected
"It takes a village to raise a child" - Never did I think that I would be in this position, asking the village to help conceive a child.
Hey everyone, my name is Renae (Nae) and I have been married to my beautiful husband Josh for 3.5 years. This time, is also the same time we have been trying to conceive. We have both always dreamed of a big family. It was one of the first conversations we had while dating. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would be struggling to just fall pregnant, let alone have a family.
We had been trying naturally for almost 2 years before we sought the help of infertility specialists. Thanks to the help of these amazing teams we have been able to diagnose that I have several reproductive conditions which inhibit natural conception. After another year of trying a variety of drugs and monitoring, we turned to IVF.
For those that know me, I am not one to ask for help. I am a very independent person and I strongly believe if you want something bad enough, you will work for it... Well, I have worked for it, I have sweated for it, been a pin cushion, exposed myself emotionally and physically in ways I never thought I would have to. We have given it our all in every way. After our first complete cycle of IVF, 3 transfers, a failed cycle, a chemical pregnancy, and a miscarriage at 6 weeks, our financial situation is completely non existent.
Hey everyone, my name is Renae (Nae) and I have been married to my beautiful husband Josh for 3.5 years. This time, is also the same time we have been trying to conceive. We have both always dreamed of a big family. It was one of the first conversations we had while dating. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would be struggling to just fall pregnant, let alone have a family.
We had been trying naturally for almost 2 years before we sought the help of infertility specialists. Thanks to the help of these amazing teams we have been able to diagnose that I have several reproductive conditions which inhibit natural conception. After another year of trying a variety of drugs and monitoring, we turned to IVF.
For those that know me, I am not one to ask for help. I am a very independent person and I strongly believe if you want something bad enough, you will work for it... Well, I have worked for it, I have sweated for it, been a pin cushion, exposed myself emotionally and physically in ways I never thought I would have to. We have given it our all in every way. After our first complete cycle of IVF, 3 transfers, a failed cycle, a chemical pregnancy, and a miscarriage at 6 weeks, our financial situation is completely non existent.
We have tried everything and we are still wanting to hold our first child in our arms.
I have endometriosis, poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and because of these conditions, I have a host of other problems. High blood pressure (linked to stress), increased difficulty to lose weight, easily gaining weight, high blood sugar levels (PCOS), late ovulation (PCOS), inconsistent periods (PCOS), extreme cramping and bloating (endometriosis). All of these conditions make it extremely difficult to conceive a child naturally, but it is also making it difficult to conceive through artificial means.
We are currently on break from IVF. We are both trying to change our lives over the next six months to ensure our next round of IVF is successful. That includes, losing weight, eating healthy, exercising and doing everything we can to improve our chances. We were successful with IVF but thanks to inflammation from PCOS and poor embryo quality, we miscarried. PCOS can be cured with exercise, dietary changes and weight loss.
We plan to self fund our last embryo transfer in November but here's were you guys come in...
Our last embryo is not the best quality, for those experienced with IVF it is a Day 6 ICSI blast. With our only other ICSI embryo, it did not thaw properly and was not able to be transferred. Our only other Day 6 blast resulted in a completely failed transfer. I am not holding much hope for our last little embryo and know in the New Year we will be facing another egg collection and IVF cycle.
These cycles are very expensive, thanks to drugs, medical procedures to harvest and fertilise eggs. Our last IVF collection cost us over $10,000 and that is why we have set this target for our Gofundme account. $10,000 would be a tremendous help in assisting with our next IVF cycle. This would cover the majority of costs but there are many other costs involved. Acupuncture, weekly medication purchases, even parking at our clinics (usually $40 a visit) which with acupuncture and transfers can sometimes be several times a week.
I have mentioned I don't like asking for financial support and that is why we are only asking for a very small donation. Every little bit helps and anything our tribe could donate to help us become the family we have always wanted to be would be greatly appreciated. The world is tough, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" right? I am just not sure if life was ever meant to be this difficult. I am challenged each and everyday with many facets of infertility. It is tough to understand how something that is free and natural for most women, is costing us more than a house deposit to even have a chance at happiness. We will never own a house, but I would trade that for a child (or two) any day!
I have always found comfort in complete transparent honesty with not only my husband, but my family and friends. Many of you have heard and experienced our story over the years and I couldn't have done it without you. Any donations are greatly appreciated and if you have any other ideas on how you can help raise funds, or how we ourselves can fundraise that would be wonderful.
Everyone who donates will be updated frequently with not only our infertility journey, appointments and more, but also throughout the entire pregnancy. Be involved in gender reveals, ultrasounds, name suggestions and more....
In my eyes you are all family, beautiful and strong and I could not have survived the past 3.5 years without your support. Thank you so much for loving us and supporting us and being the most beautiful people in the world.
I have endometriosis, poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and because of these conditions, I have a host of other problems. High blood pressure (linked to stress), increased difficulty to lose weight, easily gaining weight, high blood sugar levels (PCOS), late ovulation (PCOS), inconsistent periods (PCOS), extreme cramping and bloating (endometriosis). All of these conditions make it extremely difficult to conceive a child naturally, but it is also making it difficult to conceive through artificial means.
We are currently on break from IVF. We are both trying to change our lives over the next six months to ensure our next round of IVF is successful. That includes, losing weight, eating healthy, exercising and doing everything we can to improve our chances. We were successful with IVF but thanks to inflammation from PCOS and poor embryo quality, we miscarried. PCOS can be cured with exercise, dietary changes and weight loss.
We plan to self fund our last embryo transfer in November but here's were you guys come in...
Our last embryo is not the best quality, for those experienced with IVF it is a Day 6 ICSI blast. With our only other ICSI embryo, it did not thaw properly and was not able to be transferred. Our only other Day 6 blast resulted in a completely failed transfer. I am not holding much hope for our last little embryo and know in the New Year we will be facing another egg collection and IVF cycle.
These cycles are very expensive, thanks to drugs, medical procedures to harvest and fertilise eggs. Our last IVF collection cost us over $10,000 and that is why we have set this target for our Gofundme account. $10,000 would be a tremendous help in assisting with our next IVF cycle. This would cover the majority of costs but there are many other costs involved. Acupuncture, weekly medication purchases, even parking at our clinics (usually $40 a visit) which with acupuncture and transfers can sometimes be several times a week.
I have mentioned I don't like asking for financial support and that is why we are only asking for a very small donation. Every little bit helps and anything our tribe could donate to help us become the family we have always wanted to be would be greatly appreciated. The world is tough, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" right? I am just not sure if life was ever meant to be this difficult. I am challenged each and everyday with many facets of infertility. It is tough to understand how something that is free and natural for most women, is costing us more than a house deposit to even have a chance at happiness. We will never own a house, but I would trade that for a child (or two) any day!
I have always found comfort in complete transparent honesty with not only my husband, but my family and friends. Many of you have heard and experienced our story over the years and I couldn't have done it without you. Any donations are greatly appreciated and if you have any other ideas on how you can help raise funds, or how we ourselves can fundraise that would be wonderful.
Everyone who donates will be updated frequently with not only our infertility journey, appointments and more, but also throughout the entire pregnancy. Be involved in gender reveals, ultrasounds, name suggestions and more....
In my eyes you are all family, beautiful and strong and I could not have survived the past 3.5 years without your support. Thank you so much for loving us and supporting us and being the most beautiful people in the world.
Organizer
Renae Bowell
Organizer
Upper Coomera QLD
