If you’ve been struggling with infertility I’m here to talk you through it and show you my journey, give you tips, and help you process it.
The way I learned to process infertility was through running.
![me chase and the dogs](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/THEPalmers-35-1024x676.jpg)
We first started in 2010, after a year of not being able to get pregnant on our own.
- Basic testing with an OB, and found out Chase had male factor and I was “okay.”
- We did 3 unmedicated IUI’s with that OB.
- After those all failed, we spent a few years trying on our own.
- Got encouraged from a friend to seek a reproductive endocrinologist.
- Did more testing with an RE; found out I had low ovarian reserve, and Chase’s sperm were just swimming in circles.
- The RE said our only option would be IVF.
- Switched to another clinic and got insurance that covered up to $5,000 fertility treatments.
- 3 medicated IUI’s with our new clinic.
After all that we still couldn’t get pregnant.
So I kept on running and sharing my story…
![running and fertility treatments](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/IMG_3998-1024x768.jpg)
In 2016 I ran the Dopey Challenge (with friends) while prepping for our first IVF cycle.
![dopey challenge](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_5889-1024x768.jpg)
![dopey challenge](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_5926-1024x768.jpg)
![dopey challenge](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/12508720_10154462547905299_3653047887100130958_n.jpg)
![dopey challenge](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/12510349_10154457405925299_6375549955120898550_n.jpg)
![our ivf journey ivf injections](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_5798-e1602629133544-1024x693.jpg)
![our ivf journey starting IVF](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_5706-scaled-e1602701679249-1024x768.jpg)
![IVF Egg Retrieval](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_6401-1024x768.jpg)
![PIO shots, having strength to move forward after our miscarriage](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_6564-768x1024.jpg)
![officially PUPO after embryo transfer](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_6424-768x1024.jpg)
After years of heartache, we had 2 embryos (embabies). We got pregnant, and were told to be cautiously optimistic.Â
In February of 2016, my hCG numbers declined and I was no longer pregnant.Â
We miscarried, or what the clinic terms “chemical pregnancy.”
So we did what any other infertile couple does,
Keep moving forward
We had a plan:
- Three months of Depo-Lupron to suppress my hormones (aka, medicated menopause).
- Save up, and hold a fundraiser.
- Take lots of supplements to help with egg quality.
- Start IVF number 2 in July.
![depo lupron shot](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_7094-768x1024.jpg)
![fertility fundraiser](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_7188-1024x768.jpg)
![running during my break](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_7224-768x1024.jpg)
![doing what we love - being involved in our community](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_7175-1024x768.jpg)
As hopeful as we could be, we still guarded our hearts. Is this next IVF cycle going to end in loss?
![stims for second ivf cycle](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_7271-768x1024.jpg)
As shortly as it began, it also ended. Less eggs, and a day 3 transfer.
Thankfully, in just 3-4 months, we had saved up enough to pay for IVF in Cash!
And it all ended in a failed cycle.
![hiking squaw peak after our failed IVF cycle](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_7576-1024x768.jpg)
Since our IVF cycle failed, what next?
Become debt free. That was the only goal that we could work towards.
And just like that a miracle happened. We got pregnant spontaneously after being told our only options were; egg donor, embryo adoption, and adoption.
In June of 2017, little Kason made his debut.
![kasons debut after 7 years of infertility](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/PSX_20170628_203225-1024x782.jpg)
![kasons debut after 7 years of infertility](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_9729-768x1024.jpg)
![Survivors Guilt after dealing with years of infertility](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/0-web-bw-TMP_13-1024x683.jpg)
![becoming a calm mom book review](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/0-TMP_01-1024x683.jpg)
We had finally beaten infertility.
If you can relate to my story, I would love for us to connect.
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![I will hold myself to a standard of grace not perfection watermark](https://runningwithinfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/GraceNotPerfectionWATERMARKPNG-576x1024.png)
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I’ll send you phone backgrounds, sneak peaks of my Etsy shop, and activites I did while I was struggling to have a baby.
Just remember that:
Positive things happen even when negative things happen first.