A Journey of Hope: Sydney’s Fertility Journey
The Journey Begins
Sydney Davis and her wife Sara began their fertility journey with Indiana Fertility Institute in September 2022. As a same-sex couple, they had always known they would need medical assistance to conceive. After Sydney was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it became even more evident they needed professional help.
After completing all the necessary tests, Sydney and Sara chose their sperm donor and started their first intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycle. Unfortunately, the timing was off, and the cycle had to be cancelled because Sydney had already ovulated.
Undeterred, the two tried again. This time, everything seemed perfect.
“We went for it the next month and with a perfect sperm count from our donor and seamless procedure – my wife and I finally got a positive pregnancy test! A few days later, the line started disappearing, which ended up in a chemical pregnancy.”
After this setback, Sydney & Sara consulted with Dr. Meredith Provost to explore their options. They decided to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF).
“We had an amazing egg retrieval and ended in having a total of 10 high grade embryos.”
However, since Sydney’s hormone levels were too high for a fresh embryo transfer, she prepared for a frozen embryo transfer (FET).
During a mid-cycle scan, Dr. Provost detected an abnormality, which she suspected was a polyp. Sydney was desperate to proceed with the transfer, but Dr. Provost advised against it.
“I begged her to do the transfer and she advised against it. Thank goodness she did as I went in for a hysteroscopy and she removed a polyp and a septum from my uterus.”
The presence of a polyp and a septum in Sydney’s uterus were likely the causes of the chemical pregnancy. After their removal and a recovery period, Sydney and Sara were ready to start the protocol again.
On July 6, 2023, Sydney and Sara transferred one of their embryos. Just three days later, they received another positive pregnancy test. The anxiety leading up to their first ultrasound was immense, but it all melted away when Dr. Provost shared their baby’s heartbeat at six weeks.
On March 15, 2024, Sydney and Sara’s “miracle rainbow baby” Maisyn Davis was born. They are now enjoying every moment with their little one.
Looking Back
Though Sydney and Sara’s fertility journey was filled with highs and lows, the support from Dr. Provost and her incredible team made all the difference. From the moment they walked into IFI, Sydney and Sara knew they were in the right place. Dr. Provost, with her unparalleled care, held Sydney’s hand through every procedure. Her nurses, especially Nurse Jamie, the financial team, lab techs, were all instrumental. The embryologists, too, shared their joy when Sydney’s embryo's grade improved during thawing.
“We have absolutely been amazed by our IFI experience! The hard times are easier to get through with an amazing and caring doctor and team of people on your side! They worked tirelessly to make us parents and without them we couldn’t be where we are now!”
The most challenging part of Sydney’s fertility journey was navigating the unknown. Each appointment, lab test, and procedure carried the potential for unexpected outcomes, causing a rollercoaster of emotions. However, the unwavering support of Sara, their family, friends, and medical team was crucial. Sydney and Sara also shared their journey on TikTok, bringing them a community of supporters for which they are eternally grateful. Celebrating each milestone, from the first positive pregnancy test to hearing Maisyn’s first cry, was a testament to their resilience and hope.
Looking back, Sydney wishes she had known that no two fertility journeys are the same. It’s easy to compare your path to others, but each experience is unique. Her advice to aspiring parents and those who are just starting their fertility journey is to find a support network, whether it’s a partner, family, or friends.
“Cherish every moment, even the bad ones, because now holding my 2-month-old, I realize looking back that it all was a beautiful journey no matter how hard those moments of disappointment, sadness and grief are.”
Looking Forward
Sydney and Sara are excited for the future and to attempt for baby number two with IFI. If you’re interested in following their parenting journey, you can find them on TikTok under @twomomsandamiracle. Thank you so much to Sydney for sharing her story with us and the community at IFI!