A Success Story!
Note: The Park Avenue Women's Center has moved and been renamed. It is now called Women's Health at Magnolia Parke.
My miracle babies, Karen and Kathryn, arrived in October of 1995. I fondly refer to them as "miracles" since the likelihood of me delivering a healthy baby was inhibited by my family history. I carry the gene for X-Linked Hydrocephalus, which simply means "water on the brain." This condition results in severe mental and physical disabilities, and in my family, death usually occurred. X-linked meant that girl children would be normal but they may be carriers, and boy children would have a 50/50 chance of being affected.
Now for the "miracle" part, my husband and I were referred to Dr. Stan Williams at Shands Park Avenue for a consultation. We were told of an experimental procedure called "Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis." This procedure would involve In Vitro fertilization with an extra step. Instead of implanting 2-3 day old embryos into my uterus, the embryos would be checked for female chromosomes. If I was implanted with a "girl" embryo, I could possibly deliver a healthy baby.
My husband and I were elated! Now it was time to be a participant in a trial that, if successful, would give us a healthy baby girl. We were counseled on the very involved process of In Vitro fertilization. My husband was even taught on how to give me the daily shots.
During this very involved process, the staff at Park Avenue was wonderful. I always felt comfortable voicing any questions or concerns. They were always addressed with care and concern. When the daily visits for blood and ultrasounds began, I really became excited. The staff also shared in my enthusiasm. It was very interesting to be able to see my follicles/eggs grow.
Finally it was time to retrieve my eggs and surgery was required. It was a time of great expectation and apprehension. Everything went well and my eggs were fertilized with my husband's sperm. A couple of days later, the 8 cell embryos were checked for female chromosomes. Three were selected to be implanted in my uterus. This procedure was very quick and again exciting. I was even told to bring my favorite CD to help relax. After the embryos were transferred, my husband and I were taken to a room where I was required to rest for awhile.
Next, I returned for a blood pregnancy test 2 weeks later. I remember the wait was excruciating. What seemed to be an eternity was only a few hours, and I was called by one of the nurses at Park Avenue to confirm my pregnancy. I started to cry, I was so excited. Following the confirmation of the pregnancy, I was required to have an ultrasound to make sure the pregnancy was in my uterus. To my surprise, I was pregnant with TWINS!
I would definitely recommend this procedure to anyone in a similar position as my husband and I found ourselves. Although a very involved process, it's no more involved than trying to raise twins. And again, the staff at Park Avenue showed the compassion and knowledge necessary for this "miracle" to happen.
If you are still interested in finding out more about IVF, Jean or Sue can not only send you more printed materials, but a video as well. This fifteen-minute video gives a detailed summary of the procedures involved and a real "hands-on" feel for what you as a patient will go through.
Location: http://www.obgyn.ufl.edu/ENDO/success.shtml