Andrea and Ryan

We met just after college through some mutual friends. After five years of dating, we eloped at the Grand Canyon. We had decided before we start a family we would do all the “usual” things couples do before starting a family: buy a house, save money, travel, get dogs, 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 we 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 through Institute for Human Reproduction (IHR).