They started trying when she was 35 and her husband 33. Early on, they discovered his sperm count was lower than average—not dramatically so, and without motility or morphology issues—but enough to raise concerns. Her own fertility tests all came back normal. Still, month after month passed with no positive test, no sign of progress. IUI didn’t work, so by 36, they began the journey into IVF.
After two egg retrievals, they had five healthy, PGT-A tested embryos. Hope was high, but so was the pressure. Their first frozen transfer was in a fully medicated cycle—her progesterone levels swung wildly, starting low, then spiking to over 60. Despite her concerns, the doctor wasn’t worried. And when she began bleeding at six weeks, they found a subchorionic hematoma, but also a yolk sac and fetal pole, so again—no concern. Until the 8-week scan. No heartbeat. A missed miscarriage.
The devastation was immense. The embryo they lost had been one of only two male embryos. Seeing her husband’s face when they found out shattered her. What began as grief quickly turned into desperation to make the next try work. So when her doctor suggested a full panel of tests—including a ReceptivaDx test—she agreed.
Most tests came back clear. But the Receptiva score was 1.4—the exact threshold for possible silent endometriosis. Despite her regular cycles, minimal period pain, and no history of endo symptoms, the clinic wouldn’t allow another transfer without three months of Lupron suppression or laparoscopic surgery.
It didn’t feel right. Something in her resisted. After researching endlessly and weighing every option, she made the brave decision to move her embryos to another clinic—one that would honor her body and instincts. They agreed to a modified natural cycle: no Lupron, no heavy hormones. Just a trigger shot to guide timing.
This was their last male embryo. She was terrified, but she didn’t let hope run away with her. She took it one day at a time. First a positive HCG. Then another. A heartbeat at 6 weeks. Normal NIPT. A healthy 20-week scan. And then, at 40 weeks and one day, she delivered a beautiful, healthy baby boy.
This time, her body felt like her own. She had trusted it—and it carried her all the way home.