It is estimated that 1 in 8 couples (or 12% of married women) have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. In an attempt to have a baby many couples go through endless treatments, and drugs to help with Ovulation Induction and egg release. This process can be a long road, but once they’re pregnant, all of the hard work is worth it.
To create some perspective about the journey one mom shared a photo of her baby girl surrounded by thousands of syringes.
The post, which was posted on the Sher Fertility facility in St. Louis’ Facebook page read, “Thank you to Sher Fertility St. Louis and Dr. Dayal patient Angela, who shows the true definition of love that went into making this gorgeous new baby girl.”
“We felt like it was a provocative, emotional photo that captures the joy and pain of IVF,” Lisa Stark, director of communications for Sher Fertility Institute told USA TODAY Network. “We are overwhelmed by the response pouring in from women who can relate to the photo.”
Stark says that the Institute is not trying to get a message across but instead “encourage a culture of openness and elevating the dialogue around infertility.”
She says the feedback has been mostly positive. “Some of the comments took my breath away they were so powerful.” Stark has also undergone IVF four times to have two of her three children.
The page has received thousands of comments from families who have needed to use fertility treatments to have their children. Many of them shared their stories…
Jada Williams Jones wrote, “Man I wish I would have saved all my syringes to take a pic like this with the twins that Sher fertility & dr. Browne helped us to create!”
Tricia Cunningham said, “Amazingly moving picture, brought tears to my eyes. Every single shot, ultrasound, pill & blood draw….completely worth it. My living IVF miracle is 9.”
Lindsay Wester recalls, “Wow!!! Very powerful. 2 1/2 years of Clomid, and 2 ivf cycles before Kolbie Blair was conceived!!! So worth every shot and 2 hour trips each way to Bennett Fertility Clinic in OKC to get her here. This was her last June on her first birthday.”
Cara DeCarlo-Wirscham wrote “4 years, 6 miscarriages, 3 rounds of IUI, 2 rounds of IVF, and finally our rainbow boy was born in June. He’s worth all the drugs, needles, bloating, bleeding, bruising and every other fun side effect.”
