A Journey of Hope and Determination: M.J.’s Fertility Story
Introduction
At Indiana Fertility Institute, we are privileged to witness countless journeys of hope, perseverance, and joy. Today, we share the inspiring story of Martha “M.J.” Turientine, one of our dedicated medical assistants, who has not only experienced the challenges of fertility treatments but has also found strength and support within IFI’s community.
M.J. has been a registered medical assistant for almost 20 years. Her journey into the fertility field was both personal and professional. "I have a healthcare background, and when I realized I needed in vitro fertilization (IVF), I discovered that most places, even hospitals, didn't offer fertility coverage," M.J. shared. "I knew there were openings at [Indiana Fertility Institute], so I applied because I wanted to obtain my goal of IVF."
Starting Her Fertility Journey
M.J.'s fertility journey started long before she came to IFI. "I had issues with my menstrual cycle from my teenage years and was put on birth control by my gynecologist at 16. I had been on birth control from then until I got married," she explained. "When I got remarried and we were going to start trying, all these questions arose. I was like, wait a minute. I've been on birth control since 16. I'm now 32 or 33. What am I supposed to do?" Nobody told me why I was on birth control or what would happen if I came off it or tried to get pregnant,” she shared. “It wasn't an issue since I hadn't been trying to get pregnant, but then I started questioning everything."
M.J. actually underwent several treatments with her OB/GYN before undergoing IVF, including multiple ovulation induction (OI) cycles with Clomid and Femara. When these cycles proved unsuccessful, it was devastating.
Joining the IFI Family
M.J.'s decision to join IFI as a medical assistant was influenced by her personal experience as a patient.
"I was referred to Dr. Jarrett by my OB," she explained. “I wasn't thinking about employment at first; I just wanted to get my IVF done. But the care I received made me want to be part of this team. Besides [Dr. Jarrett’s] experience, he’s really passionate about what he does. When he’s invested in you, you feel the support definitively.”
M.J.'s dedication to her fertility journey was so strong that even after moving to Illinois, she continued to travel to Carmel to see Dr. Jarrett.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of IVF
The in vitro fertilization phase of M.J.'s journey was filled with emotional highs and lows. "[I started IVF] in 2021, but due to COVID, I couldn't do a lot of hands-on stuff right away," she recalled. "When I became an employee [at IFI] in early 2022, I began my first IVF cycle." M.J.'s 14-year-old stepdaughter, Tempest, was an incredible resource to her during this time, helping M.J. with her IVF injections. M.J.’s initial cycle resulted in two embryos, but sadly, both transfers failed.
“I wanted to give up after my first failed IVF cycle. But [Dr. Jarrett] didn't let me. I'm immensely grateful because I thought that was the end of my journey.”
Despite these setbacks, M.J. continued with her fertility treatment. "In 2023, Dr. Jarrett suggested surgery to see if there was a reason for the failed transfers," she said. "The surgery showed everything was perfect, which was both good and bad news." With new fertility benefits at the end of 2023, M.J. and her husband, Brandon, decided to try one more time. This time, they opted for their embryos to undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), which made a significant difference.
The Breakthrough
In her second IVF cycle, M.J.’s team changed her protocol, leading to the creation of eight embryos. "We decided to test them all, and I'm glad we did. Out of the eight embryos, only one was normal," she revealed. "It was a lightbulb moment. The previous embryos were likely abnormal, which explained the failures." Though M.J. did face a delay in her transfer due to her thyroid levels requiring stabilization, her embryo was successfully transferred and in February 2024, M.J. found out she was pregnant! Her baby boy Bentley Turientine is expected on November 7!
M.J.’s story is a testament to the resilience and hope that many fertility patients embody. "Every step of the way, there were hiccups, but now that I'm here, it doesn't matter anymore," she reflected. "I understand the frustration of patients, but it's essential to prepare for the unexpected. If you get pregnant on the first cycle, it's amazing, but it's almost never that straightforward."
Her advice to patients considering fertility treatment at IFI? Education.
“The [journey] is going to be emotional regardless, so educate yourself with the medical [aspects]. Don’t let everyone else influence you. You and your partner decide where you draw the line.”
Conclusion
M.J.'s journey is a powerful reminder that perseverance and support can lead to success, even in the face of numerous challenges.We are immensely proud of M.J. and grateful for her willingness to share her story. Her experience underscores the importance of compassion, determination, and hope in the pursuit of parenthood. At Indiana Fertility Institute, we are committed to supporting every patient's unique journey, just as we supported M.J.’s.
If you are considering fertility treatment and seeking a compassionate, dedicated team to support you, we invite you to schedule an appointment with us. Contact us today to take the first step towards your dream of starting or growing your family!