Andrea and Ryan

We met just after college through some mutual friends. After five years of dating, we eloped at the Grand Canyon. Before starting a family, we had decided we would do all the “usual” things couples do: buy a house, save money, travel, get dogs, and enjoy just being a newly married couple.

After our first anniversary, we decided it was time to stop preventing a pregnancy and see what happens. We figured when it was meant to be it would just happen. We didn’t realize how badly we had wanted it to “just happen” until the months went on and on and still no glimpse of a pregnancy. We decided it was time to seek some expert advice.

After several lab draws, ultrasounds, a hysteroscopy, a scare of breast cancer (from all the hormones), failed rounds of Clomid and an IUI, we were left with thousands of dollars in medical bills and still no baby to show for it. Losing hope and feeling defeated, our doctor suggested we apply for a grant from the Chicago Coalition for Family Building. After much anticipation awaiting the announcement of the recipients, we received word that we were selected! We are beyond grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to start the next step in our journey.

Andrea and Ryan are recipients of a donated IVF cycle from our Partner Practice, Institute for Human Reproduction (IHR) and in November 2021, they were thrilled to welcome their daughter, Evie, to the world!