“Enjoy the Journey”
The Domasin family and their little miracle, Noah; Trabuco Canyon, CA

I remember vividly the three days after having in vitro fertilization that I was required to be at home on strict bed rest. My Mom and niece took such good care of me, making sure I didn’t get out of bed for anything. It was such a time of hope and joy, as I was one of the few members of a very large family who had yet to have a child. On one of the rare occasions that I did get out of bed, to use the restroom, I felt a tingling sensation in my breasts. I had heard that this was a symptom of pregnancy and I had never experienced it before. At that moment, I knew for certain that I was pregnant. I was overcome with emotion. I wanted to cry but I felt too happy to cry. I wanted to yell out to my family, but before I realized it my hands were cradling my stomach anticipating its growth. I just cherished the moment, while thanking God for answering my prayers. I walked back to the bed ever so slowly, thinking that I had better not walk too fast because I have a little baby inside me now. I was so very happy. As I lay in bed, I reflected on the treatment that I had gone through that led me to this moment in my life.

Once it had become painfully clear that I wouldn’t be able to conceive a child on my own, I made an appointment with my Obstetrician who suggested that I see a fertility specialist. I was referred to Dr. Jane Frederick of the Huntington Reproductive Center in Laguna Niguel, CA. Prior to the appointment, I thought to myself, Dr. Frederick will identify the problem and I’ll have to accept the fact that I won’t be able to have a baby on my own and that treatment may or may not work. Well, I didn’t expect that during our first meeting, which consisted of a few questions about my background including how long I had been trying to conceive, that Dr. Frederick would inform me that I was an excellent candidate for in vitro fertilization and that she wanted to get started with the procedure right away. Dr. Frederick was so confident and enthusiastic that she could help me conceive a baby that my despair quickly turned into hope.

Dr. Frederick outlined the process leading up to the procedure, explaining that I would need to take the injections of the various fertility medications, exactly as instructed. I knew from word of mouth that having injections was part of the process of in vitro fertilization; however, I didn’t understand the function of each medication prior to speaking with Dr. Frederick. Once she explained the procedure, the function of the medications and the intricacy of the timing required between injections, I became very excited an anxious to use them because they were on the cutting edge of science. I was also proud and happy to use the medications because I knew that my potential success in using these medications would pave the way for other women to use these same medications towards their goal of achieving pregnancy.

During my in vitro cycle, I used Menopur®, a human follicle stimulating hormone to increase the production of eggs in my follicles. I used Menopur® once a day, for ten days prior to egg retrieval. This helped my follicles to produce as many eggs as possible for harvesting. Dr. Frederick harvested a total of fourteen eggs, a large number in itself, but an especially high number considering my age. I was 36 years old at the time. I used Novarel® thirty six hours prior to egg retrieval to trigger ovulation. Needless to say, I would highly recommend Menopur® and Novarel®. Both medications were critical to the success of my in vitro cycle. Most women, even younger women whose eggs are usually more viable than older women’s eggs, have to undergo multiple cycles of in vitro fertilization before they achieve pregnancy. My first in vitro cycle was successful.

My son, Noah is now sixteen months old. When he was born he weighed 8 pounds and 4 ounces. Noah is now at the top of the charts for his age weighing in at a whopping 27 pounds. Everyone is amazed at both his weight and his height. I know it’s probably genetic, however, I like to think that there must have been something special about the medications that made my baby such a healthy boy. I can’t actually be sure about the genetics because I am a single woman and I used donor sperm to conceive Noah. In fact, Noah was the first baby born in the United States to frozen egg and frozen sperm. I have spoken to the media on various occasions immediately prior to his birth and after his birth about the success of my in vitro cycle. I was actually quoted as saying, “You just never know.” That phrase details my journey from grief stricken despair thinking that I may never have a child of my own, to the first follow up visit with Dr. Frederick where I saw my tiny baby and his heartbeat on the ultrasound. That was the most amazing thing I had ever experienced in my life thus far, and then came the time when I was to find out if I was having a girl or a boy. Next thing you know, I was planning the baby shower. After that, I was trying to pick out the perfect name for my son. I decided on Noah Peter Domasin. I chose the name Peter in memory of my late father who, unfortunately, didn’t experience my little miracle first hand.

My best advice for future parents is just to enjoy the journey. Pregnancy is an arduous process, but it is well worth it in the end. There are many wonderful aspects involved when expecting a child. It is so difficult to describe the emotions of pregnancy and the miracle of birth, especially when you know that your pregnancy was made possible by the efforts of the researchers of Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. put into developing these medications, and the knowledge that Dr. Jane Frederick used to incorporate these medications into my treatment. I am so very grateful for the art and the science that brought my baby boy to life.