Russ & Sasha IVF Fundraiser
Donation protected
A Little About US
We have been married for 5 years. 2 years ago we made a big decision to uproot our life in North Carolina and move to Trinidad and Tobago, where Sasha was born and raised.
Russ is a Recreational Therapist and Sasha is an Occupational Therapist. We currently work together as part of a transdisciplinary team at a neurodevelopmental treatment center for children with learning challenges.
In our free time, we enjoy taking a run, hiking and relaxing at the beach. Ok, truth is... we also enjoy bumming on the couch. When we take a vacation, we particularly enjoy US road trips. In fact, we have traveled to all 48 of the lower states together!
Our "Unexplained Infertility" Journey
After being married for 3 lovely years we decided that we were ready to start a family. Since we were healthy, we never thought that there would be any barriers to getting pregnant.
After 6 months of trying, we made an appointment at a fertility clinic. We did a series of tests (blood tests, semen analysis, pelvic ultrasound, HyCoSy to check fallopian tubes) and we were told that Sasha's prolactin levels were mildly elevated. Elevated prolactin levels can affect fertility by suppressing ovulation. However, Sasha always ovulated naturally so this didn't appear to be the root of the issue. Sasha started medication to decrease her prolactin and Russ started a male fertility supplement to boost our chances. Several more months passed with us doing home urine ovulation tests, checking basal temperatures and charting.
It was now 1 year of trying to conceive with no success. We decided to try IUI (intrauterine insemination). This is a fairly simple fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman's uterus through a thin catheter. We tried 3 rounds of IUI with no success. Each time Sasha had to take medications to increase egg production.
Around this time the clinic called to give us the dreaded diagnosis of "unexplained infertility".
Feeling defeated, we took a break from the clinic. We completely changed the way we eat (gluten free, dairy free, more organic, no alcohol, etc.) and took steps to reduce chemicals in our lives (eliminating plastics, parabens, etc.). Sasha also started yoga, meditation and relaxation practices to ease the stress of infertility.
On our 4th round of IUI (after changing fertility clinics), we got pregnant but the pregnancy ended very early, which is called a chemical pregnancy. We then did a few more tests (sperm DNA fragmentation, saline infusion sonohysterography) with no significant findings and a couple more rounds of IUI without success.
After A LOT of heartache and disappointment in the past two years, we came to the realization that IVF (in vitro fertilization) was our next best option. It was a VERY difficult for us to accept that we need IVF. We are now at peace with this decision and actually a little excited about taking this next step. We will be doing IVF early in 2019.
IVF Costs
Our health insurance covers 0% of costs related to fertility treatments. We have saved over the past few years but we have already tapped into those resources to pay for the tests and treatments that we have done thus far. The IVF (procedure and medication) is estimated to cost around $10,000 USD.
THANK YOU
Nothing prepares you for the challenges that come along with infertility. It drains you financially, mentally, emotionally and physically. We are grateful for the support of our family, friends, coworkers, nurses and doctors.
Whoever you are... however much you give... we are grateful. Thank you!
We have been married for 5 years. 2 years ago we made a big decision to uproot our life in North Carolina and move to Trinidad and Tobago, where Sasha was born and raised.
Russ is a Recreational Therapist and Sasha is an Occupational Therapist. We currently work together as part of a transdisciplinary team at a neurodevelopmental treatment center for children with learning challenges.
In our free time, we enjoy taking a run, hiking and relaxing at the beach. Ok, truth is... we also enjoy bumming on the couch. When we take a vacation, we particularly enjoy US road trips. In fact, we have traveled to all 48 of the lower states together!
Our "Unexplained Infertility" Journey
After being married for 3 lovely years we decided that we were ready to start a family. Since we were healthy, we never thought that there would be any barriers to getting pregnant.
After 6 months of trying, we made an appointment at a fertility clinic. We did a series of tests (blood tests, semen analysis, pelvic ultrasound, HyCoSy to check fallopian tubes) and we were told that Sasha's prolactin levels were mildly elevated. Elevated prolactin levels can affect fertility by suppressing ovulation. However, Sasha always ovulated naturally so this didn't appear to be the root of the issue. Sasha started medication to decrease her prolactin and Russ started a male fertility supplement to boost our chances. Several more months passed with us doing home urine ovulation tests, checking basal temperatures and charting.
It was now 1 year of trying to conceive with no success. We decided to try IUI (intrauterine insemination). This is a fairly simple fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman's uterus through a thin catheter. We tried 3 rounds of IUI with no success. Each time Sasha had to take medications to increase egg production.
Around this time the clinic called to give us the dreaded diagnosis of "unexplained infertility".
Feeling defeated, we took a break from the clinic. We completely changed the way we eat (gluten free, dairy free, more organic, no alcohol, etc.) and took steps to reduce chemicals in our lives (eliminating plastics, parabens, etc.). Sasha also started yoga, meditation and relaxation practices to ease the stress of infertility.
On our 4th round of IUI (after changing fertility clinics), we got pregnant but the pregnancy ended very early, which is called a chemical pregnancy. We then did a few more tests (sperm DNA fragmentation, saline infusion sonohysterography) with no significant findings and a couple more rounds of IUI without success.
After A LOT of heartache and disappointment in the past two years, we came to the realization that IVF (in vitro fertilization) was our next best option. It was a VERY difficult for us to accept that we need IVF. We are now at peace with this decision and actually a little excited about taking this next step. We will be doing IVF early in 2019.
IVF Costs
Our health insurance covers 0% of costs related to fertility treatments. We have saved over the past few years but we have already tapped into those resources to pay for the tests and treatments that we have done thus far. The IVF (procedure and medication) is estimated to cost around $10,000 USD.
THANK YOU
Nothing prepares you for the challenges that come along with infertility. It drains you financially, mentally, emotionally and physically. We are grateful for the support of our family, friends, coworkers, nurses and doctors.
Whoever you are... however much you give... we are grateful. Thank you!
Organizer
Sasha Windsor
Organizer
