- Email: [email protected]
Personal Account: How IVF changed my life
Personal Account How IVF changed my life Lancet 2006; 368: S58–S59
The printed journal includes an image merely for illustration Cara Birrittieri is a journalist and health communicator with more than 10 years of television medical and science reporting. Her book, What Every Woman Should Know About Fertility and Her Biological Clock, is published by New Page Books/Career Press. Connect Communications, PO Box 132, Medfield, MA 02052, USA (C Birrittieri) Correspondence to: Ms Cara Birrittieri [email protected]
S58
Cara Birrittieri
My life and our home are full of joy, love, and the kind of chaos only a 2-year-old child can create—all thanks to invitro fertilisation. From the moment she wakes up each morning calling “Daaaaddy!” or “Mommeeee!” or simply squealing with delight, Victoria Maria is full of smiles and boundless energy. Truly my life is forever changed by medicine and its creative technology. Without IVF, I would not have become a mother again, my husband a father again, and my 6-year-old son a big brother. There are many medical advances that sustain and save lives, but this amazing procedure brings new life into the world when all other attempts to create one have failed. There is no finer example of creativity. My daughter’s first breath rushed new meaning into our lives. The joy I now feel when my son gives her a hug and a kiss or helps put on her shoes is incalculable and unparalleled in my life. She is the last grandchild on both sides of her family. To see my 80-year-old mother and my husband’s parents’ eyes light up when she beams her irresistible smile is a delight beyond compare. Medicine and love came together in such a unique way. My perseverance, the amazing gift of an egg donor, the relentless pursuit of doctors and researchers to eliminate the pain and suffering of infertile patients and improve lives through medicine, plus guidance from above, brought Victoria into this world and made it a better place for those around her. Looking back to the time when my life was immersed in the world of infertility and its treatment, I recall a very different picture. During the 3 years before my daughter’s birth, I lived life on a hellish emotional roller-coaster ride, with my husband and son unfortunately buckled down in seats alongside me. When I first entered a fertility clinic, I expected a quick fix to my difficult scheduling issues with a husband who, as a merchant mariner, never seemed to be home during the right times. I assumed my easily conceived son, then barely a year old and still cuddling in my arms, was certain proof of my fertility. Wrong. I did not realise that the opportunity for conventional means of conception had passed. Standard blood tests showed that my fertility had waned to the point at which the chance of success with IVF was extremely low and getting worse with every tick of that infamous biological clock. I was shocked and saddened to face such unexpected news. Little did I know, I stood at the threshold of the toughest battle of my life in every way: emotionally, physically, logistically, and financially. However, I quickly embraced this challenge and my reporter instincts kicked in as I researched all the medical literature on the biological clock, otherwise known as age-related infertility. During my quest, I became aware of the tremendous lack of general knowledge among most women, and the devastating consequences for many of those who postpone having
children. I determined to do something with the mountain of information I had collected so that others would stand a better chance against this inevitable deadline. With the support of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, I began building the foundation for a book on this subject. At the same time, my infertility struggles grew more difficult. Failed cycles and miscarriages with lesser treatments shattered my hopes and the cost depleted our financial resources. After starting my own business, I finally secured insurance coverage for infertility, only to be denied IVF. The notion that my son would grow up without a sibling seemed completely unacceptable. So, despite my despair, I was determined to find a way to expand my family. My doctor supported my efforts and suggested we consider other options, including egg donation. I researched both egg donation and adoption; meanwhile, I found that my insurer approved a single IVF cycle with donated eggs. My husband and I decided we would try egg donation first; if that failed, we would pursue adoption. Still, letting go of romantic and traditional notions of conception and motherhood took time. Through many hours of individual and couples therapy, plus monthly meetings of Resolve (National Infertility Association) support groups, we grew more comfortable with this new terrain. A wonderful woman working in health care, who understood the trauma and devastation of infertility and who shared my Italian heritage, donated the most profound gift any woman could give another. Success with IVF has also led to rewards I never would have imagined; I have appeared on numerous radio and television programmes, including The Today Show, a nationally broadcast morning news TV programme, and in many print publications across the US. In addition, my many presentations for younger women at universities and women’s organisations have yielded much praise. Surviving the upheaval and devastating disappointments of infertility, and eventually finding success with a wonderful clinic and egg donor compelled me to help others facing similar challenges. I now lead monthly peer discussion groups, volunteer professional services, and help with special programmes as a board member of the Massachusetts chapter of Resolve, the National Infertility Association. Finally, I stepped off the raucous roller-coaster. I now find myself loving every moment with my completed family. Though I endured a tremendous struggle, I am grateful for the opportunity to help others. Occasionally, as I drive by the clinic where my sweet baby girl spent the first 3 days of her life, I realise I will forever feel connected to that building, all the dedicated people who had a hand in developing IVF, and especially those who changed my life forever, who made my adorable, rambunctious, giggling, loving little miracle possible. www.thelancet.com Medicine and Creativity Vol 368 December 2006
Lennart Nilsson 2006, taken from LIFE, by Lennart Nilsson, published by Jonathan Cape 2006 at £35.00
The printed journal includes an image merely for illustration
www.thelancet.com Medicine and Creativity Vol 368 December 2006
S59
The printed journal includes an image merely for illustration Cara Birrittieri is a journalist and health communicator with more than 10 years of television medical and science reporting. Her book, What Every Woman Should Know About Fertility and Her Biological Clock, is published by New Page Books/Career Press. Connect Communications, PO Box 132, Medfield, MA 02052, USA (C Birrittieri) Correspondence to: Ms Cara Birrittieri [email protected]
S58
Cara Birrittieri
My life and our home are full of joy, love, and the kind of chaos only a 2-year-old child can create—all thanks to invitro fertilisation. From the moment she wakes up each morning calling “Daaaaddy!” or “Mommeeee!” or simply squealing with delight, Victoria Maria is full of smiles and boundless energy. Truly my life is forever changed by medicine and its creative technology. Without IVF, I would not have become a mother again, my husband a father again, and my 6-year-old son a big brother. There are many medical advances that sustain and save lives, but this amazing procedure brings new life into the world when all other attempts to create one have failed. There is no finer example of creativity. My daughter’s first breath rushed new meaning into our lives. The joy I now feel when my son gives her a hug and a kiss or helps put on her shoes is incalculable and unparalleled in my life. She is the last grandchild on both sides of her family. To see my 80-year-old mother and my husband’s parents’ eyes light up when she beams her irresistible smile is a delight beyond compare. Medicine and love came together in such a unique way. My perseverance, the amazing gift of an egg donor, the relentless pursuit of doctors and researchers to eliminate the pain and suffering of infertile patients and improve lives through medicine, plus guidance from above, brought Victoria into this world and made it a better place for those around her. Looking back to the time when my life was immersed in the world of infertility and its treatment, I recall a very different picture. During the 3 years before my daughter’s birth, I lived life on a hellish emotional roller-coaster ride, with my husband and son unfortunately buckled down in seats alongside me. When I first entered a fertility clinic, I expected a quick fix to my difficult scheduling issues with a husband who, as a merchant mariner, never seemed to be home during the right times. I assumed my easily conceived son, then barely a year old and still cuddling in my arms, was certain proof of my fertility. Wrong. I did not realise that the opportunity for conventional means of conception had passed. Standard blood tests showed that my fertility had waned to the point at which the chance of success with IVF was extremely low and getting worse with every tick of that infamous biological clock. I was shocked and saddened to face such unexpected news. Little did I know, I stood at the threshold of the toughest battle of my life in every way: emotionally, physically, logistically, and financially. However, I quickly embraced this challenge and my reporter instincts kicked in as I researched all the medical literature on the biological clock, otherwise known as age-related infertility. During my quest, I became aware of the tremendous lack of general knowledge among most women, and the devastating consequences for many of those who postpone having
children. I determined to do something with the mountain of information I had collected so that others would stand a better chance against this inevitable deadline. With the support of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, I began building the foundation for a book on this subject. At the same time, my infertility struggles grew more difficult. Failed cycles and miscarriages with lesser treatments shattered my hopes and the cost depleted our financial resources. After starting my own business, I finally secured insurance coverage for infertility, only to be denied IVF. The notion that my son would grow up without a sibling seemed completely unacceptable. So, despite my despair, I was determined to find a way to expand my family. My doctor supported my efforts and suggested we consider other options, including egg donation. I researched both egg donation and adoption; meanwhile, I found that my insurer approved a single IVF cycle with donated eggs. My husband and I decided we would try egg donation first; if that failed, we would pursue adoption. Still, letting go of romantic and traditional notions of conception and motherhood took time. Through many hours of individual and couples therapy, plus monthly meetings of Resolve (National Infertility Association) support groups, we grew more comfortable with this new terrain. A wonderful woman working in health care, who understood the trauma and devastation of infertility and who shared my Italian heritage, donated the most profound gift any woman could give another. Success with IVF has also led to rewards I never would have imagined; I have appeared on numerous radio and television programmes, including The Today Show, a nationally broadcast morning news TV programme, and in many print publications across the US. In addition, my many presentations for younger women at universities and women’s organisations have yielded much praise. Surviving the upheaval and devastating disappointments of infertility, and eventually finding success with a wonderful clinic and egg donor compelled me to help others facing similar challenges. I now lead monthly peer discussion groups, volunteer professional services, and help with special programmes as a board member of the Massachusetts chapter of Resolve, the National Infertility Association. Finally, I stepped off the raucous roller-coaster. I now find myself loving every moment with my completed family. Though I endured a tremendous struggle, I am grateful for the opportunity to help others. Occasionally, as I drive by the clinic where my sweet baby girl spent the first 3 days of her life, I realise I will forever feel connected to that building, all the dedicated people who had a hand in developing IVF, and especially those who changed my life forever, who made my adorable, rambunctious, giggling, loving little miracle possible. www.thelancet.com Medicine and Creativity Vol 368 December 2006
Lennart Nilsson 2006, taken from LIFE, by Lennart Nilsson, published by Jonathan Cape 2006 at £35.00
The printed journal includes an image merely for illustration
www.thelancet.com Medicine and Creativity Vol 368 December 2006
S59