As a postdoctoral researcher at the at a major Mid Atlantic university, my journey towards motherhood began like others at a reproductive care center.My dream had always been to build a large family, but life had its own plans. At the age of 35, I found myself without a family, prompting me to make a pivotal decision for the sake of my future children’s health and well-being.

I decided to embark on a pathway to single motherhood. To ensure I was making the right choice, I consulted extensively with a child psychologist. She unequivocally stated that being born into a single-parent family does not inherently present any psychological challenges for a child. What truly poses a risk is the turmoil of fights and divorce between parents. In fact, the psychologist went as far as to suggest that I would excel as a single mother.

I firmly believe in her assessment. I am a content, intellectually well-rounded, and emotionally stable individual with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. I possess both psychological and practical self-sufficiency, and I am confident in my ability to shower my future children with love and create a nurturing environment for their growth. My role as a researcher is well-suited for parenthood, given its flexible hours and the potential to work from home.

With all factors considered, I made the decision to seek help. Unfortunately, like so many others, my health insurance did not cover infertility treatments. I hold strong hopes of conceiving, but after undergoing five lUIs on Clomid with no success, my doctor recommended a switch to FSH stimulation. These treatments came at a substantial cost, and despite two cycles of ovarian stimulation with FSH and the production of multiple follicles each time, I remained without pregnancy My diagnosis is “female infertility of unspecified origin.”

Realizing that my financial resources were running thin, I recognized that my last opportunity lay with in vitro fertilization (IVF). I pooled together my modest savings and, with a stroke of good fortune, INCIID through EMD Serono and the Heart Scholarship program generously provided  a pathway forward.

This is but one of many INCIID stories and one of many of the individuals and couples helped through INCIID programs. INCIID continues its mission to support those struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss through the generous donations of individuals.