When you find out you need the help of fertility treatment to conceive, it can lead to feelings of isolation and hopelessness. Thankfully, there is a welcoming community of parents who have chosen to share their IVF success stories to help others feel a little less alone.Â
In this article:
Finding Hope in IVF Success Stories
Although public discourse is steadily increasing around the topic of infertility and fertility treatment, there are still layers of stigma and shame associated with not being able to conceive. One of the best ways to combat this is through sharing our experiences.Â
When fertility patients open up and tell their stories, they bring more than hope to those struggling to grow their families – they also offer a glimpse into a world that is not often visible. Now on the other side of the storm of infertility, these grateful parents have chosen to break the silence and share what their journey to parenthood really looked like.Â
An Honest Look at the World of IVF
In the following stories, you’ll meet a diverse array of former Illume Fertility patients who have navigated challenges like PCOS, male factor infertility, endometriosis, cancer treatment, secondary infertility, pregnancy and infant loss, life-threatening genetic conditions, and unexplained infertility.Â
Our hope (and theirs) is that through hearing their stories, you will find the hope, courage, inspiration, and comfort to achieve your own family-building dreams, knowing that you are never alone on this challenging path to parenthood.
IVF Success After Cancer StoriesÂ
While treatments such as chemotherapy can be life-saving for those facing cancer, they can unfortunately also damage a patient’s future fertility potential. The following couples share their experiences with family building after beating breast cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.Â
Meet Ross & Jackie
The story of how one couple become parents after cancer treatment, with the help of fertility preservation and IVF.Â
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Meet Erin & Matt
After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis and undergoing IVF before chemo, a survivor shares her journey to motherhood.
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Egg Donor IVF Success Stories
Hopeful parents who pursue IVF with donor eggs are most often facing fertility challenges like diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), genetic concerns, poor egg quality, and unexplained infertility. Get a glimpse at what this process is like through the following honest accounts.
Meet Rebecca & Steve
After a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, two thankful parents share how they made the difficult decision to use an egg donor.
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Meet Eva & Bryan*
*Patients have requested to remain anonymous
Despite many years of trying to conceive and a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve, the decision to pursue IVF with the help of an egg donor was an incredibly difficult one for Eva. She shares what led up to her diagnosis and the emotional process of releasing a genetic connection with her children in order to build the family she dreamt of for so long.
Unexplained Infertility IVF Success Stories
One of the most frustrating diagnoses for both patients and doctors is “unexplained infertility,” a term assigned to those who are unable to achieve pregnancy without a discernible cause. Around 15-30% of hopeful parents trying to conceive receive this diagnosis, which often leads to IVF treatment.
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Meet StephanieÂ
After years of TTC and turning 36, Stephanie sought guidance from a fertility doctor and was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. This led to IVF treatment and a successful embryo transfer that resulted in twins!
LGBTQ+ IVF Success Stories
There are so many different paths to parenthood, including IUI, IVF, surrogacy, adoption, and using an egg, sperm, or embryo donor.
At Illume Fertility, we are proud to offer family-building options for all. With the support of resources like our Gay Parents To Be program and an expert third party reproduction team, we are able to provide next-level care for LGBTQ+ patients pursuing parenthood.
Meet Tim & Steve
A gay couple shares how they met, when they decided to have kids, and what their two IVF and surrogacy journeys were like.
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Meet Diana & Di
A PCOS warrior shares her and her partner’s long journey through fertility testing, finding a donor, and IVF treatment.
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Meet Taylor & Holly
Learn about reciprocal IVF from two moms who navigated the ups and downs of fertility treatment together.
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LGBTQ+ Stories Collection
Explore our full library of family-building journeys through surrogacy, adoption, fertility treatment, and more.
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PCOS & Endometriosis IVF Success Stories
Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis often lead to fertility issues, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find success with proper treatment.
Around 30-50% of people with endometriosis struggle to conceive and up to 70-80% of anovulatory infertility cases are caused by PCOS. The following Illume patients share how they were able to overcome these challenges using IVF to grow their families.
Meet Nicole & Steven
High school sweethearts share how they discovered Nicole’s endometriosis diagnosis and what it took to meet their baby boy.
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Meet Katie & Anthony
In this 3-part series, a PCOS patient opens up about her long and difficult journey to becoming a mother.
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Meet Megan & Jeff
After 2.5 years of fertility struggles and disappointments, Megan and Jeff turned to IVF – and ended up with twins!Â
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Meet Andrea & Ralph
A couple shares their emotional journey through a PCOS diagnosis, three failed IUI cycles, and fighting to become parents.
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Meet Virginia & Joe
In this story, PCOS patient Virginia shares her and her husband Joe’s experience at Illume Fertility on their first embryo transfer day.
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Male Factor Infertility IVF Success Stories
When most people think about infertility, they assume the issue lies with the female partner. However, in around 40% of cases, male factor infertility is to blame. Â
Meet Sarah & Chris
After multiple pregnancy losses, egg retrievals, and embryo transfers, a couple shares what got them through it all.
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Meet Kristen & Jeff
PCOS and male factor infertility led this couple to IVF treatment after more than two years of trying to conceive a baby.
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Meet Danielle & Rob
After struggling to conceive and discovering male factor fertility issues, they turned to ICSI and IVF, which brought a huge surprise.
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Single Mom by Choice IVF Success Stories
Thanks to processes like IVF and donor conception, more women are able to realize their dreams of becoming a mother – even without a partner.Â
Meet Kaitlyn
A single mom shares why she chose to have a baby without a partner -with the help of IVF and donor sperm.Â
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Meet Alison
After an unexpected divorce, Alison knew she wanted to give her son a sibling, so she decided to do it on her own.
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Is IVF right for you?
Learn how much IVF costs, how long the process takes, and how this treatment method can help make your dreams come true.
IVF for Genetic Conditions Success Stories
In some cases, IVF isn’t used to combat infertility, but instead to help parents avoid passing on life-threatening heritable conditions to their future children. In the following stories, three courageous mothers share their experiences with genetic disorders and infant loss.
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Meet Alyson & Scott
After a shocking genetic discovery, Alyson and her husband were advised to move straight to IVF treatment.
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Meet Nicole
A mom with cystic fibrosis shares her journey through IVF, twin pregnancy, heartbreaking loss and finding light on the other side.
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Meet Anna
After losing her infant son to Alper’s Disease, Anna sought genetic counseling and IVF to help protect her future children.
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Tubal Factor Infertility IVF Success Stories
Tubal factor infertility accounts for about 25-30% of all cases of infertility, and occurs when a blockage in the fallopian tubes will not allow the egg and sperm to meet. The following families share how IVF helped them overcome this frustrating obstacle to become parents.
Meet Azana & Delvin
After a previous ectopic pregnancy and removal of one fallopian tube, this couple turned to IVF for help conceiving their son, Levi.Â
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Meet Shiraine & Barry
When fertility testing revealed 34-year old Shiraine’s fallopian tubes were damaged, the couple moved quickly into an IVF cycle.
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You Deserve the Family of Your Dreams
Whether you’re seeking inspiration as you prepare for an upcoming IVF cycle, in need of hope after an unsuccessful embryo transfer, or simply looking for different perspectives as you explore your fertility options, the families featured above offer a transparent account of the challenges – and the joys – that can come from pursuing IVF.
Want to learn more about IVF treatment or speak with a fertility expert? Reach out to our team today or download our Step-by-Step Guide to IVF Treatment. We wish you the best of luck on your family-building journey!
