Help Alee and Chris with IVF Costs
Donation protected
Hi all, I’m posting this fundraiser for the most wonderful couple you might know. They’ve been through the ringer with unsuccessful IVF treatments, and if you’ve ever met them, you know they’d make amazing parents. Please read their story below. Thank you!
We began trying to grow our family in 2019. Without any success we decided to look into probable causes starting with our family doctors in 2020. Several tests later, it was determined that IVF treatment was required. The closest and best option was a fertility clinic 2 hours away. The initial costs were estimated to be $18,000-$40,000. Our health insurance does not have fertility treatment coverage, and 99% of the costs are out of pocket. Having great desires to become parents we decided to move forward. We began the process in February 2021, and in July 2021 we had a successful egg retrieval of 24 eggs. Of the 24 eggs, 11 had successfully become embryos. We were very blessed with this result. The next steps were to rest, recover, and transfer in September. Unfortunately the September transfer was considered unsuccessful as the embryo did not stick. We met with our doctors, and they recommended a medicated assisted transfer. Meaning Alee needed to receive shots daily, weeks before and through the first trimester, if successful. Again we decided to move forward.
Our second transfer was late November. Early December we got some good news and some not so good news. Alee’s blood levels indicated a positive pregnancy but were very low meaning one of three possibilities: a late implantation, an ectopic pregnancy, or an early on miscarriage. We were hopeful for a late implantation, but as the weeks moved forward we were faced with the horrible news that we were losing the pregnancy. The clinic eventually asked us to stop the meds and considered this an early miscarriage.
After a brief break and reevaluation with the clinic, along with some other testing and services, we moved forward with our third transfer in early May. The following weeks and blood work brought incredible news. We were pregnant, and our levels where very high and increasing at a great rate. The doctors were very pleased with everything. At roughly 6 weeks into the pregnancy Alee had severe and sudden cramping. We notified our doctor immediately and he requested blood work. Our levels had plateaued and began to decrease. We knew things weren’t going well for the growing embryo. Through an ultrasound an ectopic pregnancy was partially ruled out, but there was also no heartbeat, embryo sac, or signs of a pregnancy. This was considered another early on miscarriage.
In June we had a follow up appointment to reevaluate and figure out what the next options are. They recommended we genetically test the remaining 8 embryos, which is going to cost almost $5,000 between the clinic fees and laboratory fees. They also recommended Alee receive more blood work to rule out possible causes of multiple miscarriages. After getting through those processes, we will start the fourth transfer, which has been roughly $5,000 each time. We are determined not to give up, but at this point we have spent nearly $30,000 in associated costs. Through most of this process Alee has not been able to work much as being a CNA requires her to lift and move in a way that might not benefit the implantation of an embryo.
It’s very hard to ask this, but we have burned through our savings trying to grow our family and need some assistance. We don’t know how to ask, but friends and family have recommended us try a go fund me page.
Alee has a great idea to commemorate donors. She found a beautiful rainbow puzzle, and each donor will get their name written on a puzzle piece. When put together, the puzzle will be framed and hung in future baby’s room. We are still hopeful and appreciate everyone’s support.
We began trying to grow our family in 2019. Without any success we decided to look into probable causes starting with our family doctors in 2020. Several tests later, it was determined that IVF treatment was required. The closest and best option was a fertility clinic 2 hours away. The initial costs were estimated to be $18,000-$40,000. Our health insurance does not have fertility treatment coverage, and 99% of the costs are out of pocket. Having great desires to become parents we decided to move forward. We began the process in February 2021, and in July 2021 we had a successful egg retrieval of 24 eggs. Of the 24 eggs, 11 had successfully become embryos. We were very blessed with this result. The next steps were to rest, recover, and transfer in September. Unfortunately the September transfer was considered unsuccessful as the embryo did not stick. We met with our doctors, and they recommended a medicated assisted transfer. Meaning Alee needed to receive shots daily, weeks before and through the first trimester, if successful. Again we decided to move forward.
Our second transfer was late November. Early December we got some good news and some not so good news. Alee’s blood levels indicated a positive pregnancy but were very low meaning one of three possibilities: a late implantation, an ectopic pregnancy, or an early on miscarriage. We were hopeful for a late implantation, but as the weeks moved forward we were faced with the horrible news that we were losing the pregnancy. The clinic eventually asked us to stop the meds and considered this an early miscarriage.
After a brief break and reevaluation with the clinic, along with some other testing and services, we moved forward with our third transfer in early May. The following weeks and blood work brought incredible news. We were pregnant, and our levels where very high and increasing at a great rate. The doctors were very pleased with everything. At roughly 6 weeks into the pregnancy Alee had severe and sudden cramping. We notified our doctor immediately and he requested blood work. Our levels had plateaued and began to decrease. We knew things weren’t going well for the growing embryo. Through an ultrasound an ectopic pregnancy was partially ruled out, but there was also no heartbeat, embryo sac, or signs of a pregnancy. This was considered another early on miscarriage.
In June we had a follow up appointment to reevaluate and figure out what the next options are. They recommended we genetically test the remaining 8 embryos, which is going to cost almost $5,000 between the clinic fees and laboratory fees. They also recommended Alee receive more blood work to rule out possible causes of multiple miscarriages. After getting through those processes, we will start the fourth transfer, which has been roughly $5,000 each time. We are determined not to give up, but at this point we have spent nearly $30,000 in associated costs. Through most of this process Alee has not been able to work much as being a CNA requires her to lift and move in a way that might not benefit the implantation of an embryo.
It’s very hard to ask this, but we have burned through our savings trying to grow our family and need some assistance. We don’t know how to ask, but friends and family have recommended us try a go fund me page.
Alee has a great idea to commemorate donors. She found a beautiful rainbow puzzle, and each donor will get their name written on a puzzle piece. When put together, the puzzle will be framed and hung in future baby’s room. We are still hopeful and appreciate everyone’s support.
Fundraising team: Team fundraiser (3)
Ashley Hawkins
Organizer
Cottonwood, CA
Alee Matthews
Beneficiary
Chris Matthews
Team member