welcome
meet heather
Started trying to conceive.
Miscarriage #1
Loss at about 5.5 weeks.
Started tracking BBT/charting.
Miscarriage #2
Loss at about 5.5 weeks, likely ectopic.
First appointment at first fertility clinic.
Laparoscopy to remove endometriosis and open blocked tube.
First appointment at second fertility clinic.
Attempted IUI but cycle cancelled.
Attempted IUI but cycle cancelled.
IVF Retrieval #1
Transferred two fresh embryos and became pregnant with Alexis and Eric.
Twins Stillborn
Alexis and Eric are stillborn at 21 weeks due to incompetent cervix and premature labor.
Transabdominal cerclage surgery to prevent incompetent cervix in the future.
FET #1
Transferred one frozen embryo, but the cycle failed.
FET #2
Transferred one frozen embryo, but the cycle failed.
FET #3, Miscarriage #3
Began acupuncture. Transferred one frozen embryo and became pregnant but miscarried at 6.5 weeks.
FET #4
Continued acupunture. Transferred one frozen embryo and became pregnant.
Miscarriage #4
D&C at about 9 weeks on the first anniversary of the stillbirth of Alexis and Eric.
IVF Retrieval #2
Continued acupuncture. Transferred the only embryo resulting from the retrieval, but the cycle failed.
IVF Retrieval #3
Continued acupuncture and added visualization. Transferred one fresh embryo and sent the remaining seven for preimplantation genetic testing. Froze four normal embryos for later use. Became pregnant with Aurora.
Live Birth
Aurora is born 6+ weeks early via emergency C-section.
Baby #2 Planning
Met with RE to discuss baby #2/FET #5 but hormone levels were determined to be insufficient to proceed. I hadn’t gotten my period in quite some time.
Lifestyle Change
Began following the ketogenic lifestyle in hopes of regulating my hormones.
Baby #2 Planning
Met with RE again to discuss baby #2/FET #5. Surprisingly, despite always having a fairly low antral follicle count (AFC) of 9 and an anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) level in the 1.0s, even in my twenties, I was shocked to learn my AFC was 25 and my AMH had risen to 3.6. Thanks, keto!
Additional Testing
Completed an endometrial receptivity assay (ERA) and discovered that I need 148 hours of progesterone prior to a FET, not the 116 hours I had received in the past. In other words, we’d been unsuccessful — at least in part — during past frozen transfers because we were transferring at time when my uterus was not receptive to implantation. My RE also took a biopsy for chronic endometritis (negative) and removed uterine scarring from my C-section. Using hormone replacement therapy, I finally got my period again. I will continue this until our embryo transfer.
FET #5?
Tentatively plan to transfer one of our four frozen embryos following the protocol dictated by my ERA.
my infertility journey
i've been where you are
hello
who i am
A Realist
Your feelings are valid. Although no one should stay in the dark place for too long, I'll make that journey with you -- and help you find your way back out. No 'just think positive.'
Excellent Listener
Whether it's during our one-on-one sessions or via text messages while you hide in the bathroom at work, I am here to listen to your hopes and fears about building your family.
A Researcher
In addition to being naturally curious, I love getting down into the nitty-gritty of individuals' unique infertility journeys -- and the questions still left unanswered.
No B.S.
Although I wish I could promise you a quick and successful pregnancy, alas, I cannot. But I can promise you no B.S. Our relationship will be one of kindness, honesty, and transparency.