Whipps Family IVF Journey
Donation protected
Hello! We are Matthew and Aubrey Whipps. Many of our friends and family have already heard our story, but there are others who may not have. We want to share our story and give you just a glimpse of where we are at in this crazy, overwhelming, exciting and hopeful journey. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read our story. We are truly grateful!!
We met in early October 2008, roughly one year after both of us moved back to our hometown. We had both attended college in different states and decided to stay in those areas for while after graduation. Although neither of us planned on “moving home”, God had different plans for us. We grew up in the same town, had similar interests and friends, were at the same events multiple times, even graduated from our town’s rival high schools the same year, but never met. God used music, something we both love, to bring us together, when we met as a result of a fundraising concert at a local church. We hit it off right away and found out that we had lots of similar interests, friends, and even both worked at Starbucks (two different locations in our town). We began spending time together soon after and within a month were officially dating. On December 26, in a beautiful candlelight room with live music in the background, we got engaged. We were both so excited and just knew, this was the person God had intended us to love for the rest of our lives.
We were married just seven short months later on July 25, 2009, and together began this journey we call life. We both love children and knew we wanted to be parents but decided to take a little time to enjoy each other before trying to have kids. In May 2010, we had the first indications that we thought we might be pregnant. Even though we didn’t yet have confirmation of the pregnancy, we were both so excited that we purchased small gifts to creatively share the news with our families. A little less than a week later, we found out we were not expecting. We were both disappointed and sad but were now sure, it was time to begin actually trying to start our family. We knew it might not happen right away, but as this was the typical next step in life, we figured it wouldn’t be too long before we could use the gifts we had purchased to share that we were expecting a precious little gift from God. Little did we know the road that lay ahead.
After about a year of trying without success, we decided to seek medical advice. After a few months of testing, it was determined that everything appeared normal and it was just taking us a little longer than most. As friends began announcing their happy news, we kept trying and hoped that soon, we would be the ones who were sharing our exciting news. As the months went on, we realized that this might be a little more difficult than we had originally hoped. Each month was a rollercoaster of emotions from hopeful to disappointed again. Each new pregnancy announcement from friends was joyous but difficult, as we wondered when it would be our turn.
Then, in June 2013, after three years of trying with no success, we received our very first positive pregnancy test. Could it be that after all this time our hopes and prayers had finally been answered? We couldn’t wait to tell all of our family and can still remember the excitement we felt when we received the positive test. Unfortunately, just a few short weeks later, we found out that things were not progressing as they should be and were told we were experiencing a miscarriage. We were devastated. This was not something we ever imagined would happen. We were heartbroken but were determined to keep trying.
The road from then to now has not been easy. We continued to try by tracking cycles and temperatures, taking natural supplements and vitamins, and trying all the tips and tricks that everyone said worked for someone they knew. After 6 years, we decided to seek additional medical help and in Dec 2016, began our first round of fertility assistance through a medication that would help to stimulate additional egg production and hopefully increase our chances of becoming pregnant. We were hopeful that this might finally be the answer to our prayers for a baby. After a long month of praying, hoping, and following all the doctor’s instructions and recommendations, we found out that we were pregnant, but once again, the process wasn’t going according to plan and we were experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and ultimately, another loss. We were once again heartbroken and devastated knowing that we would not be able to hold our precious little one and see them grow. We were also hopeful that since the medication had worked the very first month, it could work again and maybe soon our dream would finally be a reality.
We then spent a year full of fertility drugs, multiple rounds of IUI, countless rollercoasters of emotions and many more negative pregnancy tests. Each failed attempt was more heartbreaking than the last, but we haven’t given up on the dream of having children. We believe with all our hearts that God has a plan for us to experience the miracle of pregnancy and the joy of having children of our own. Throughout our journey thus far, God has shown himself faithful in good times and not so good, through times of joy or hope and in times of great sorrow. No matter our final outcome, we always want to be able to proclaim His goodness and with open hearts and open hands say, “And if not, He is still good.” (Daniel 3:18)
In January 2018, after more than $4,000 in failed fertility treatments, our doctor told us that our only option going forward is through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). For those of you who may not be familiar with IVF, the process is expensive, and in most cases, including ours, it is not covered by insurance. The costs per round of IVF are $20,000+ for basic IVF, $2,500+ for diagnostic testing, plus additional costs for bloodwork, doctor visits, travel, and expensive medications. In total, each round of IVF will cost more than $25,000 or more with no guarantee of success.
Initially, we were hesitant about starting this fundraising page, as this is a very personal topic and incredibly difficult process. Ultimately, we decided to post this page because it provides an opportunity for friends and family to walk with us through the process, for us to share the path God has set before us and to proclaim His goodness and faithfulness, no matter what may come. We know that we can’t do this on our own—emotionally, spiritually, or financially. We are seeking to raise an additional $15,000, as an incredibly generous gift has already been made to help us begin our IVF journey.
No matter what amount you can give, everything helps. If you can’t give financially, you can still help us by sharing this page with family and friends through social media or email and most importantly, through PRAYER. Every additional person that reads our story is another opportunity for us to share the goodness and faithfulness of God and for others to come alongside us through prayer and donations. We believe in the power of prayer and God’s ability to perform miracles, which is what the creation of life is!
Again, we want to say THANK YOU for taking the time to read our story, to pray for us and others who are also on this difficult journey, to donate whatever you’re able to, and for your continued support! It means the world to both of us!
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any troubles with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
Phillippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
We met in early October 2008, roughly one year after both of us moved back to our hometown. We had both attended college in different states and decided to stay in those areas for while after graduation. Although neither of us planned on “moving home”, God had different plans for us. We grew up in the same town, had similar interests and friends, were at the same events multiple times, even graduated from our town’s rival high schools the same year, but never met. God used music, something we both love, to bring us together, when we met as a result of a fundraising concert at a local church. We hit it off right away and found out that we had lots of similar interests, friends, and even both worked at Starbucks (two different locations in our town). We began spending time together soon after and within a month were officially dating. On December 26, in a beautiful candlelight room with live music in the background, we got engaged. We were both so excited and just knew, this was the person God had intended us to love for the rest of our lives.
We were married just seven short months later on July 25, 2009, and together began this journey we call life. We both love children and knew we wanted to be parents but decided to take a little time to enjoy each other before trying to have kids. In May 2010, we had the first indications that we thought we might be pregnant. Even though we didn’t yet have confirmation of the pregnancy, we were both so excited that we purchased small gifts to creatively share the news with our families. A little less than a week later, we found out we were not expecting. We were both disappointed and sad but were now sure, it was time to begin actually trying to start our family. We knew it might not happen right away, but as this was the typical next step in life, we figured it wouldn’t be too long before we could use the gifts we had purchased to share that we were expecting a precious little gift from God. Little did we know the road that lay ahead.
After about a year of trying without success, we decided to seek medical advice. After a few months of testing, it was determined that everything appeared normal and it was just taking us a little longer than most. As friends began announcing their happy news, we kept trying and hoped that soon, we would be the ones who were sharing our exciting news. As the months went on, we realized that this might be a little more difficult than we had originally hoped. Each month was a rollercoaster of emotions from hopeful to disappointed again. Each new pregnancy announcement from friends was joyous but difficult, as we wondered when it would be our turn.
Then, in June 2013, after three years of trying with no success, we received our very first positive pregnancy test. Could it be that after all this time our hopes and prayers had finally been answered? We couldn’t wait to tell all of our family and can still remember the excitement we felt when we received the positive test. Unfortunately, just a few short weeks later, we found out that things were not progressing as they should be and were told we were experiencing a miscarriage. We were devastated. This was not something we ever imagined would happen. We were heartbroken but were determined to keep trying.
The road from then to now has not been easy. We continued to try by tracking cycles and temperatures, taking natural supplements and vitamins, and trying all the tips and tricks that everyone said worked for someone they knew. After 6 years, we decided to seek additional medical help and in Dec 2016, began our first round of fertility assistance through a medication that would help to stimulate additional egg production and hopefully increase our chances of becoming pregnant. We were hopeful that this might finally be the answer to our prayers for a baby. After a long month of praying, hoping, and following all the doctor’s instructions and recommendations, we found out that we were pregnant, but once again, the process wasn’t going according to plan and we were experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and ultimately, another loss. We were once again heartbroken and devastated knowing that we would not be able to hold our precious little one and see them grow. We were also hopeful that since the medication had worked the very first month, it could work again and maybe soon our dream would finally be a reality.
We then spent a year full of fertility drugs, multiple rounds of IUI, countless rollercoasters of emotions and many more negative pregnancy tests. Each failed attempt was more heartbreaking than the last, but we haven’t given up on the dream of having children. We believe with all our hearts that God has a plan for us to experience the miracle of pregnancy and the joy of having children of our own. Throughout our journey thus far, God has shown himself faithful in good times and not so good, through times of joy or hope and in times of great sorrow. No matter our final outcome, we always want to be able to proclaim His goodness and with open hearts and open hands say, “And if not, He is still good.” (Daniel 3:18)
In January 2018, after more than $4,000 in failed fertility treatments, our doctor told us that our only option going forward is through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). For those of you who may not be familiar with IVF, the process is expensive, and in most cases, including ours, it is not covered by insurance. The costs per round of IVF are $20,000+ for basic IVF, $2,500+ for diagnostic testing, plus additional costs for bloodwork, doctor visits, travel, and expensive medications. In total, each round of IVF will cost more than $25,000 or more with no guarantee of success.
Initially, we were hesitant about starting this fundraising page, as this is a very personal topic and incredibly difficult process. Ultimately, we decided to post this page because it provides an opportunity for friends and family to walk with us through the process, for us to share the path God has set before us and to proclaim His goodness and faithfulness, no matter what may come. We know that we can’t do this on our own—emotionally, spiritually, or financially. We are seeking to raise an additional $15,000, as an incredibly generous gift has already been made to help us begin our IVF journey.
No matter what amount you can give, everything helps. If you can’t give financially, you can still help us by sharing this page with family and friends through social media or email and most importantly, through PRAYER. Every additional person that reads our story is another opportunity for us to share the goodness and faithfulness of God and for others to come alongside us through prayer and donations. We believe in the power of prayer and God’s ability to perform miracles, which is what the creation of life is!
Again, we want to say THANK YOU for taking the time to read our story, to pray for us and others who are also on this difficult journey, to donate whatever you’re able to, and for your continued support! It means the world to both of us!
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any troubles with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
Phillippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Fundraising team: Fundraising team (2)
Matthew Whipps
Organizer
Casper, WY
Aubrey Whipps
Team member
