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The Ups and Downs of Your Journey
June 18, 2025Molly Chu Chen - Labryo Fertility
LifestyleWhy We Need to Talk About the Whole Journey
When it comes to fertility, society tends to highlight only the joyful moments: pregnancy announcements, baby showers, and gender reveals. But the reality for many individuals and couples is far more complex. Miscarriages, abortions, failed IVF cycles, and years of uncertainty are often endured in silence.
At Labryo Fertility Center, we know that every fertility journey is unique - and that real, honest conversations are essential. It’s time to discuss not only what’s celebrated, but also what’s quietly endured.
1. What Prompted You to Begin This Journey?
Fertility journeys don’t begin the same way for everyone. Some people start with hopeful planning, while others are pushed into the process by medical realities or social pressures. Understanding your "why" helps clarify your choices moving forward.
Common reasons for starting a fertility journey include:
- Timing and age-related decisions
Fertility begins to decline in the early 30s and drops significantly after age 35. Many women feel like they’re “running out of time”, or maybe their surrounding friends and family have decided to start their own families and they feel the same. Regardless of the reason, timing and age is a decades-old concern that many women will face in their fertility journey.
- Cultural and familial expectations
In many cultures, having children is seen as a rite of passage or family duty. Many would want to start a family sooner for their aging parents, or are simply expected to start a family as soon as they start working.
LGBTQ+ families and single parents may face different social or logistical hurdles. They understand they may take a longer time to start their family, or that they might have to jump through different obstacles, so they start planning earlier on in life.
- Medical conditions impacting fertility
Common diagnoses that prompt fertility consultations include: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis, Uterine fibroids, Low ovarian reserve, Male-factor infertility
It might not just be fertility-related health concerns, but rather, other conditions such as cancer that require immense treatment plans like chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Treatments like that will affect fertility in both men and women.
In some cases, individuals may not have a medical diagnosis but experience difficulty conceiving - a challenge known as unexplained infertility, which affects up to 15% of couples.
2. Milestones Along the Way
Key milestones may look like:
- Initial fertility assessments
- Blood tests to measure hormones like AMH and FSH
- Pelvic ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve and uterine health
- Semen analysis for male partners
- HSG or saline sonogram to check for blocked fallopian tubes
- Deciding between natural conception and assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
When ART becomes necessary, options include:
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Egg or sperm donation
- Gestational surrogacy
- Medications and hormonal treatments
Treatments often include but is not limited to:
- Clomiphene citrate (Clomid)
- Gonadotropins for ovulation induction
- Trigger shots to stimulate ovulation
- Progesterone support after embryo transfer
These medications may cause side effects such as mood changes, bloating, or injection site discomfort.
Every patient’s path is different, and not all will follow the same order or route. What matters most is making informed, supported choices along the way.
3. Roadblocks You Might Encounter
Some people may face some concerns and bumpy roads along the way:
- Medical complications or diagnoses
- Recurrent pregnancy loss (defined as two or more miscarriages)
- Implantation failure after embryo transfer
- Uterine abnormalities such as septums or adhesions
- Genetic or chromosomal conditions discovered through PGT (preimplantation genetic testing)
- Unsuccessful IVF or IUI cycles
IVF success rates vary by age as well:
- ~50% for women under 35
- ~25% for women between 38–40
- ~15% or lower for women over 40
As upsetting as it may be, reasons for failure may also include (depends on each individual):
- Poor egg or embryo quality
- Thin endometrial lining
- Sperm abnormalities
- Immune or hormonal imbalances
Emotional and financial burdens can also be a concern for couples who are creating family.
Fertility treatment can cost between $15,000–$40,000 per IVF cycle in California, and many patients experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma.
Feelings of shame, guilt, or isolation are common, particularly after miscarriage or abortion.
At Labryo, we recognize the importance of not only addressing the medical aspects of infertility, but also providing psychological support, cost transparency, and a compassionate environment.
4. Redefining Success in Fertility
Success is often narrowly defined by a healthy birth. But for many individuals, success might mean something else entirely — and that’s okay. It looks different for everyone:
Emotional closure or clarity
- Making peace with the journey, regardless of the outcome
- Choosing to pause or end treatments without regret
Expanding the definition of family
- Pursuing parenthood through donor eggs, sperm, or embryos
- Working with a surrogate
- Embracing a child-free life with intention
Building resilience through support practices
- Mind-body therapies can make a meaningful difference:
- Acupuncture: May improve IVF success and reduce stress
- Meditation and breathwork: Helps manage anxiety
- Nutrition and supplements: Support reproductive health
- Yoga: Encourages hormonal balance and emotional regulation
Fertility journeys are as much about the heart as they are about the body. Your emotional well-being is an essential part of your outcome — not a side note.
Every Story Deserves to Be Told
Whether you’ve faced miscarriage, made the difficult decision to terminate, or experienced multiple failed transfers, your story matters. These parts of the fertility journey may be hidden from public view, but they are no less meaningful.
At Labryo Fertility Center, we’re here to hold space for the joy and the heartbreak — because both belong. With personalized care, cutting-edge technology, and a deeply human approach, we support you through every step, including the ones people don’t talk about enough.
Book a Consultation with Labryo Fertility Center
📍 Located in Newport Beach, California
🩺 Experts in IVF, ICSI, egg freezing, PGT, surrogacy, and LGBTQ+ family-building
📞 Call or book online today: www.labryofertility.com or 949-891-1531