🤍 After 3 miscarriages (One of them ending in a frightening ER stay)- we prayerfully decided to go through IVF. ♥️ We thought this would be a safer option, more of a sure bet. 🤍I did all the things, all the supplements, accupuncture, dairy free, gluten free, alcohol free, caffeine free. We paid the $20k out of pocket (my employer doesn’t cover fertility treatment or diagnostics). I did the shots... dozens of shots.... ... and ... it did not work. Like ... it didn’t even come close to working. Didn’t get a single normal embryo to try to transfer. 💔 What I’ve come to learn is that even though I FEEL young, vital & vibrant, this is a normal outcome for someone my age. This experience is incredibly common. Yes, there are women in their 40s who naturally get pregnant or go through IVF and get that miracle embryo. However, it’s not the norm. 🥹 We have been so distraught + heartbroken... That it’s something I’ve wanted to keep secret. But, I’ve realized I have a message to share. And it is so simple! That is- to get your levels checked early - even if you don’t want kids yet. The CDC reports that in the US, about 8% of women over the age of 40 undergoing IVF with her own eggs will achieve a live birth on her 1st cycle. It’s about 22% in the 38-40 age category. So, I may not know you... But if you are following this page, I have some sisterly advice. Advice I wish someone, a friend, a doctor, anyone would have told me. ESPECIALLY after I gave birth to our 1st at 35. Get your levels checked. I would ask for AMH, FSH, Estradiol & thyroid hormones. These are relatively inexpensive blood tests. Additionally, the real power move is to look into freezing your eggs. To do this, seek out a reproductive endocrinologist. Just because you get a consult doesn’t mean you have to do it. But, it’s an option. As for us, yes there are so many beautiful creative ways to build a family. Embryo adoption, egg donors, fostering, adopting, and the list goes on. We are heartbroken but we are not broken entirely. We are grateful for the gifts that we have and for our precious little girl. #secondaryinfertility #ivf #texasivf #infertility #eggfreezing #40plusivf