As a newborn photographer in Michigan, I am lucky to be trusted to capture pivotal first moments through maternity and newborn photography. Every pregnancy story is unique, and each one leaves a special mark on my heart. However, the ones that pull at the heartstrings are those who knew they wanted to be parents, yet, for one reason or another, becoming a family was delayed. Their stories about feeling so alone and the months and years of heartbreak motivated me to do something. Through the Newborn Celebration Project, I am honored to commemorate and tell incredible fertility stories through IVF newborn photos. This is one couple's IVF journey and how newborn baby Hazel Olivia came to be:
Meet Cody & Syndi
Just your average happy couple, Cody and Syndi were young, in love, and having a great time enjoying life and being together.
However, as the couple celebrated more trips around the sun together, it seemed like something was missing. Although Syndi always knew she wanted to be a mother, it took Cody a little longer. Yet, as the years waned on and the couple watched their friends celebrate their babies' births, even Cody began wondering when he would get to be a dad. It had been years; shouldn't it have happened by now?
Seeking Help for Fertility
After years of trying to get pregnant naturally without a positive pregnancy test, Syndi and Cody decided it was time to get a little help by speaking to their healthcare professional. Syndi's first step was to talk to her obstetrician (ObGyn), who referred Syndi and Cody to The Fertility Center in Grand Rapids, MI.
It was also time to get personal support. Things were getting "real," and although the years of failed pregnancy attempts were kept private, they knew they would need all the emotional backup. So, Syndi and Cody began to discuss their infertility concerns with their family and friends and found understanding from a Facebook support group in Michigan. They even found solidarity in "Infertile AF with Ali Prato," a podcast that deep dives into the good, bad and often unexpected infertility stories.
The Diagnosis: Unexplained Infertility
More than 10% of couples trying to conceive are diagnosed with unexplained infertility yearly. On the surface, everything looks healthy and good to go, which only sounds like good news regarding infertility. However, this diagnosis can be incredibly frustrating and even infuriating not to have a solid diagnosis for a real solution.
For Cody & Syndi and countless other couples struggling with unexplained infertility, each month becomes a guessing game to see what will work. Doctors and future parents work together to increase the likelihood of success.
At The Fertility Center of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Syndi and Cody tried:
Ovulation tracking;
5 medicated cycles; and
3 Intrauterine insemination (IUI) attempts.
Sadly, all were unsuccessful.
The Next Step: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
When all other conception attempts were exhausted, Syndi and Cody looked for other solutions to complete their family. Thankfully, they had an excellent benefits package through Cody's employer, yet coverage was limited for infertility treatments. Unfortunately, they had already used much of what was available with the previous attempts, leaving IVF options limited.
That's when Syndi learned about CNY Fertility, "the home of the $3,995 IVF." In addition to IVF, CNY Fertility also offers a wide variety of fertility care treatments. Plus, it came recommended through a Michigan fertility support group. So it was the perfect next step for their IVF journey!
Preparing for the IVF Journey
After the fifth medicated cycle was unsuccessful, the couple took a trip to Florida to shake off the past and prepare for the next chapter. First, the pair spent a memorable week together diving with sharks, kayaking with the manatees, whisking through canals via airboat and spending late nights beachside watching mama sea turtles lay their eggs. Then, they had their first IVF teleconsultation with Dr. Chang at CNY Fertility in Buffalo, NY, while relaxing at their vacation rental by the ocean.
The couple ordered the IVF medications and had labs done while still on vacation!
PCOS and Infertility
Testing revealed that Syndi had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal imbalance that impacts up to 5 million females. Not only is it one of the leading causes of infertility, but women can also develop small fluid-filled cysts on their ovaries, preventing them from functioning normally.
PCOS is common and treatable, and many women still conceive healthy babies. Although many end up needing a little help from a medical team, the treatments have high success rates.
Egg Retrieval and Embryo Transfer
Less than a month later, Syndi and Cody found themselves in Buffalo, NY, for egg retrieval day. The medical team retrieved an astounding 27 eggs, 14 of which were fertilized successfully.
As a part of a standard IVF procedure, the fertilized embryos are given 5-6 days to develop, some of which do not. Then, within the same cycle, doctors choose the most viable embryo and transfer it back into the woman's uterus to hopefully grow into a fetus. If there are any extra embryos, they can be frozen for use in additional cycles.
In Syndi and Cody's case, four of the 14 fertilized eggs continued to develop to day 5. However, the egg retrieval overstimulated Syndi's ovaries, and the embryo transfer could not safely be completed within the same cycle. So, all four embryos were frozen until the following cycle.
On August 19, the couple returned to Buffalo, NY, for the embryo transfer.
Message in a Spoon?
A few weeks later, Syndi invited Cody to a romantic ice cream date at the local ice cream shop. It wasn't long before he noticed something was different about this trip. Then, he found it. There was writing on the spoon that had never been there before.
To his surprise, Cody realized his spoon said, "We're pregnant."
A Smooth Pregnancy
After years of disappointments, the couple was finally pregnant! Finally, their dream of parenthood was within reach.
Pregnancy suited Syndi well. Before beginning their IVF journey, Syndi experienced chronic pain, which became manageable, and her dairy allergy vanished throughout the pregnancy. Not only that, but every appointment showed Hazel was growing right on target.
When it came time for the gender reveal, the couple waited to find out the gender with everyone else. They invited their whole support system, including family and friends who traveled in from as far as NY and NC! The crowd gathered around as Cody hit a golf ball filled with powder, and Syndi shot a cannon loaded with confetti and powder.
Surprise! They were going to have a girl!
The couple tossed around a few names but knew they wanted something old-school and classic. They both liked Hazel Olivia, and the name stuck. Soon, they caught themselves referring to her as Hazel in every conversation.
IVF Success Story | Delivery Day
At 41 weeks, Hazel still had not arrived, and the couple decided to induce labor. But Hazel still wasn't coming out without a fight! The team spent 12 hours trying to soften the cervix and two days administering Pitocin for 36 hours total drip time of the Pitocin to no avail. So, finally, on the 4th day, Syndi was taken for a Cesarean Section.
Hazel was born at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma, weighing 8lbs 1 oz and already 21 inches tall. She got to come home on Mother's Day.
"Support Is What Got Us To The End."
One thing stood out when recalling their infertility journey: they were never alone.
Syndi and Cody are thankful for a vast support group to help them. While undergoing IVF, Syndi never had to give herself a single shot. Rather than hiding alone in the bathroom like some or relying solely on Cody, Syndi had friends and family help with every injection in the IVF cycle. A couple of times, she had a few different managers help her!
But, it isn't just about the outpouring of support from others; you have to be there for each other and remember what you're doing this for. The couple has some advice for other couples struggling to get pregnant.
"Remember, you're in it together & it's nobody's fault. Open up to the people closest to you, and talk about it. Our experience made us rely on each other more and brought us closer. We even believe our struggle makes us appreciate her even more. The infertility struggle is raw. It was very important that we let each other in on what we were going through. The support of each other is what got us to the end."
Join The Newborn Celebration Project
Too many people go through similar struggles for anyone to feel isolated. Through the Newborn Celebration Project and IVF photos, I want to provide a platform for these families to share their stories. My goal is to shed light on fertility issues, let local families know they are not alone, and maybe find helpful resources.
Contact a Michigan Newborn Photographer
Do you have a fertility journey you would like to share with others? As a newborn and maternity photographer, I'd love to help you commemorate your IVF baby through fine art newborn photography, maternity photography or both! So if you're in Mt. Pleasant, Midland or the surrounding areas, send me a message to book your photography session!
Sharing your experience gives hope to other families struggling to conceive, no matter the road your infertility story takes. Of course, if you'd rather keep it private, I understand. Many families prefer not to be in the spotlight, which is okay and appreciated, too! As a newborn photographer, I'll respect your privacy, and everything will remain confidential. All images and fertility stories are shared only with the client's permission.
Resources:
“The Good and Bad News About Unexplained Infertility” | Midwest Fertility