Against All Odds

by Brianna Shaw

I had a pre-existing condition that we knew we would need to do IVF for. My treatments weren’t working out, and my doctor said many others would have told me to do surrogacy.

I questioned a lot thinking I was doing the wrong thing or not following Gods will, until our story changed.

At sixteen years old I underwent testing due to unexplained Amenorrhoea. Following a blood analysis, I was referred to a reproductive endocrinologist where I was diagnosed with an infertility diagnosis and Osteopenia in my spine. That day I learned I would need to use IVF if I wanted to have children. I met my husband Brandon during undergrad and shortly after we were married. Shortly after I went through another round of fertility testing, and in that it became evident that I needed to work with my primary care doctor to manage my overall health. There were physical implications as well, like anxiety that were associated with my diagnosis.

When we decided to start trying for a baby,  My doctor was persistent and always looked for signs that she was doing things the right way. I had a few cancelled cycles.  I also accidentally messed up my medication during a cycle, and ended up canceling the one that we were the  most excited for.  My doctor also called me on a Saturday to recommend that we cancel,  She also shared that it probably wasn't the right timing and that she was confident in the next one.

I decided to do acupuncture the morning of my final transfer, my doctor suggested it.

My acupuncturist never met me before but had me switch my post transfer appt to a few days later because she knew it would be better for implantation. She said that the transfer will work.

When I arrived for my transfer appointment my doctor walked me back for my appointment, and told me she would see me for baby number two. She also waited for me after the procedure to walk me back to my room.

I broke down in tears and thanked her, she hugged me.

We both just knew.

Before the final procedure, and even during acupuncture I had a few other experiences that felt supernatural. I also believed that this cycle was the one. We traveled that weekend post transfer to try to destress to increase odds. My mom and close friend also told me that any of my doubts were not from God.

They reminded me that His timing is perfect.

The following week she  walked me back for my appointment  and told me she would see me for baby number two.  Before the procedure I had a few experiences that felt supernatural, and I also believed that the next cycle was the one.

There were many seemingly disconnected situations that all had similarities.

It felt like a message.

As predicted the next cycle worked and after a few bleeding scares my daughter Aoife was  born  six weeks early. Her name is from Irish mythology- a warrior princess. She thrived and only spent eighteen days in the NICU. She's now at the 90% on the growth charts. After treatment  we discovered that I do  have an autoimmune disease that could have caused all of my issues that were found in high school. My doctor used medication to treat this based on this hypothesis. 

It worked and I went to a specialist after Aoife was born where they confirmed it

This has been a huge two years for us. A lot of forced growth in the best way possible. We continuously reflect on how lucky we are to be parents.

Hebrews 11:1

11 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” NLT