Infertility is one of those taboo subjects you don’t hear many people talking about for a variety of reasons. Common ones might be the feeling of embarrassment, not wanting to be a burden or worrying it’s too much information. Unfortunately, this means that the many who are battling it often feel alone. I’m an open book, wearing my heart on my sleeve always, for better or for worse. If there are tears to be cried, I will be crying them. So, as you can imagine, I talked openly about our infertility battle to my family and friends, even acquaintances sometimes if it made sense to. It was eye opening how many people shared similar experiences and personal stories once the door was opened. I don’t know that it makes things easier, but it does help to speak candidly about the mountain you’re facing to someone who gets it, and it allows you to be a source of hope and/or understanding for others.

After a year and a half, we were ultimately diagnosed with “unexplained infertility.” We decided with the advice of our medical team to try intrauterine insemination (IUI). We completed one in May 2022, another in July 2022 and a third in August 2022. All three were unsuccessful which left us depleted. The next step of our journey was in vitro fertilization (IVF). We knew three things to be true about IVF – it was much more expensive than IUI, it was far more invasive and the chance of becoming pregnant was much higher. We had noticed fliers at REACH and were encouraged by our doctor to apply for The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund (BOJ) which is an organization founded to remove financial barriers through their grant process for couples wanting to start a family. We were cautious but hopeful that we might be selected after turning in our application in July of 2022. After a couple of months went by, we assumed we weren’t chosen, had just had our third and final failed IUI and were grappling with how we’d go about finding funds to begin IVF.

On September 8th, 2022, I met my husband and our aunt out for lunch to celebrate my 32nd birthday. Through some sneaky coordinating between her and the folks at BOJ, we received the biggest surprise ever when Samantha Busch showed up with a BOJ check in hand to help us pursue IVF without the financial burden.

Best. Birthday. Ever.

By the end of October, after lots of self-administered shots, blood draws and an egg retrieval, we received the good news that we had eight viable embryos. We then prepared for the final step of the process, which was our frozen embryo transfer that took place on December 21st, 2022. The two weeks following were filled with nervous hope and lots of prayers. On January 3rd, 2023 we were met with good news…the best news, “Congratulations, you’re pregnant!” Our little Fuller’s due date was set for September 8th, 2023, a year after we received our BOJ gift and my 33rd birthday. Wouldn’t you know it though, our little dude insisted on making us wait an extra day. After three years of being on the scariest roller coaster we’ve ever been on, we delivered a healthy baby boy on September 9th, 2023. 

If our story finds you on a similar roller coaster, my desire is that, after reading this, you’ll be filled with a new hope and strength to keep holding on tight!

Here are a few final notes I hope will encourage you:

• If you’re battling infertility, I promise you are less alone than how it probably feels.
• Lean on your community. Let them love you. Let them pray for you. Let them hold hope for you.
• Advocate for yourself to your medical team. They know what they’re doing, but sometimes you know your body best!
• Look into organizations in your area that want to help offload some of the burden of infertility whether that be through monetary gifts, support groups and/or therapy.
• Believe in something bigger than yourself. For me, that’s my relationship with God. I give Him all the praise and decided early on that, even if our prayers weren’t answered, He is still a good gift giver.

Sending you so much love and holding hope always,

Clair