The decision to not medically pursue pregnancy was very personal to us. We know a great number of people that have had these treatments done. Some of them were entirely successful and some not. Jason was very supportive of following my lead with this choice. We had heard the success stories, the failed attempts heartbreak and everything in between.
One factor I had major concerns about was pumping my body full of the hormones. I have been seeing a hematologist for a few years, when I started seeing him he mentioned the risks of injecting hormones in my body and the negative effects it can have. Over a couple years time we still didn’t have an answer to the questions that brought me to a hematologist but we did find a solution to keep me feeling healthy. I now donate blood every 60 days, I’ll go into this another day. Any concern a doctor provides me as a true risk I take it to heart. I believe God has a plan, I am generally healthy, I take care of my body, but the concern from a doctor stayed with me.
The next factor, for some reason to me, I was struggling with science being the key to impregnate me. I believe that God has created science, I think it is absolutely incredible what can be done, the cures that are made and the lives that can be saved. But something there, for me, just didn’t feel like it was the answer. Yes, I really wanted to carry a baby and have the entire experience. Yes, I would absolutely love multiples and this chance would increase with any of these methods. Yes, overall the processes seemed pretty cut and dry. To me, it seemed forced and I didn’t feel it was the path for me.
Financial risks also played a hand in this. Though it was not a big deciding factor we did our research. For us the medication was about $1,200 per month. This was just the first step to try before moving forward. The injections also required an ovary check, an ultrasound follicular scan and regular blood tests. This isn’t about not wanting more tests and labs, it wasn’t about not wanting to put the work in. It seemed forced. This medication and above tests was required for all of the processes below.
Option one, depending on semen analysis, is timed intercourse. The next option was WIUI (washed intrauterine insemination). Finally, the full IVF (in vitro fertilization). All of these options were based upon semen analysis, blood panels through the cycle, ovarian tests and more. Again, this wasn’t about not wanting to do the doctor visits, it wasn’t for us.
All of these come with a 100% paid up front bill. The cost ranged from upwards of $4,000-$15,000 each treatment. Insurance in Florida does not offer any assistance with infertility so it is all out of pocket. Many states across the country are starting to offer rider policies or include infertility treatment in their insurance plans. Florida, is not one of these states. There are also no grants, state funds or other financial support offered for these treatments. And remember, still no guarantee.
I have read about and known people to have multiple treatments and nothing worked for them. They are not only in the hole financially the emotional suffering and pain has to be unbearable. I understand not everyone feels the way I do and this is why there are many methods, all of which are paths people take for different reasons. But medically forcing my body to carry a baby just didn’t seem right to me.
I am so glad that these methods are out there and available to couples and single parents that want to take this path. Science is a beautiful thing and I have first handedly seen what joy it can bring. But we believe God had a different plan for us, our plan is to Adopt.
Laurin & Jason's Adoption Story 