A Decade of Determination: Mary’s Journey to Motherhood
For Mary Hudson and her husband, Jason, the road to parenthood was a decade-long journey filled with challenges, resilience, and unwavering hope. After years of trying to conceive, they turned to Indiana Fertility Institute (IFI) and Dr. Jarrett to help make their dream of becoming parents a reality. Today, Mary is the proud mother of twin boys, Niko Kei Hudson and Shy Blu Hudson, and she’s sharing her story to inspire others facing similar struggles.
A Long Road to IVF
Mary and Jason had been on their fertility journey for over ten years before discovering the reason behind their struggles. “We finally figured out that my husband had a 0-2% chance of having children,” Mary recalls. With this knowledge, they began their in vitro fertilization journey with Dr. Jarrett.
Living in Illinois, Mary made the two-hour drive to IFI for every appointment. “I couldn’t have been more excited,” she says. “We had a very successful egg retrieval and transferred one embryo on May 1, 2023.”
A Double Surprise
A few weeks later, on May 30, Mary came in for her first ultrasound since the egg retrieval—and received shocking news. “I found out it was identical twins! I was overwhelmed with emotion, but it was all happiness.”
However, Mary’s pregnancy was far from easy. In August, she was hospitalized and placed on complete bed rest. “Then on October 1, 2023, my baby boys decided to enter our world at just 24 weeks and 3 days old.” Niko and Shy were born weighing 1 pound, 14 ounces and 1 pound, 7 ounces, respectively.
The NICU Journey
The next six months were spent in the NICU, filled with both triumphs and challenges. “Despite many hurdles, lots of tears, and sleepless nights, [we] finally [faced] the excitement of bringing our boys home,” Mary reflects. “Today, Niko and Shy are healthy, happy, and wild little boys.”
Though her pregnancy didn’t go as she had dreamed, Mary remains grateful. “Even though it wasn’t the pregnancy I had envisioned, I now have the family I have always longed for. Without IVF, I wouldn’t know this life, so I owe everything to Dr. Jarrett and the staff.”
The Power of Support
For Mary, one of the hardest parts of the journey was the wait. “You can’t predict the future, and you have to have patience. Your mind races with so many scenarios—both bad and good.” Through it all, she leaned on a strong support system. “My best friends never made me feel like I would never be a mom. They helped me when my husband was gone, even with injections. The morning I was waiting for my HCG results, they took me to breakfast to calm me down and be by my side.”
Reflecting on her journey, Mary acknowledges the strength it took to keep going. “Knowing that I was strong enough to keep going, that my husband was by my side, and that we would become parents—that was empowering. And, of course, the most rewarding part is my two baby boys.”
Words of Wisdom for Others
To those just beginning their fertility journey, Mary offers this advice: “Never give up. I can’t count how many times people told me, ‘It just isn’t meant to be,’ and how much that would break my heart—even though they thought they were being kind.”
She also encourages patients not to wait if they feel something isn’t right. “If you have been trying to conceive for a while, don’t hesitate to start your fertility journey. You never know what will happen or when or if you will need fertility intervention. Give yourself the best chance possible and follow your heart.”
Grateful for IFI
Mary credits the team at IFI for guiding her through the IVF process with compassion and care. “I loved every single person throughout this process. I was always perfectly informed on how the process worked, how to inject medications, and the reality of what the outcomes could be. No matter what question I had, someone was always there to answer me.”
A Dream Fulfilled
Mary’s journey to motherhood was not easy, but today, she is living the life she always dreamed of. “I now have the family I have always longed for,” she says.
Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of a strong support system, and the life-changing impact of fertility treatment.
To those still on their path, Mary offers one final piece of advice: “Be kind to yourself. I put all of the blame on myself, and it caused a lot of hard days. Looking back, I wish I had given myself more grace.”
At Indiana Fertility Institute, we are honored to have been part of Mary’s journey and celebrate the incredible strength she and her family have shown every step of the way.
If you’re struggling to conceive, we’re here to help. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized care for every patient. Take the first step toward your fertility journey today and schedule your consultation.
