Infertility Stories - Rachael & Lucas
Rachel and Lucas are so wonderful, they were one of the first couples I spoke to when I started on this project, and just like the Griffins, I knew that they had experienced loss and miscarriages, but I had no idea of the extent.
I’m realising a have no idea about a lot of things when it comes to fertility treatments. I had no idea what a blighted ovum was (it’s a pregnancy where a sac and plecenta grow, but a baby does not.) I’ve been on a pretty steep learning curve, speaking with these families about cycles, and IVF, PCOS, IUI, OI… there’s so many different routes which can be taken, but the overwhelming common thread I have found within every single family I’ve spoken to has been the courage they all possess.
They get up and keep on keeping on, even when it’s tough, or they have bad news. This applies to Rachael and Lucas, after 3 miscarriages they still face each day with bravery.
Is your Family Complete?
No... only fur children so far.
(but aren’t they gorgeous?!)
How did your journey begin?
I was diagnosed at age 11 with PCOS, Endometriosis and 1 ovary. I was told not to put hope even in IVF working.
In 2015 I fell pregnant but it turned out to be a blighted ovum.
In 2016 I fell pregnant again, but the heartbeat was to slow and weak and then stopped a week after seeing it.
After this Lucas and I got every test under the sun done to figure out why but everything came back within normal range. no answers.
In 2018 I had a chemical pregnancy, found out on my birthday and lost it over the mothers day weekend.
After this we saw a pattern and tried some new meds to help but have yet to fall pregnant again yet.
What is happening in your life right now?
We met with Tas Ivf at the end of May to get the ball rolling on IUI before going to IVF
What is in the future for your family?
Hopefully IUI will work otherwise we will start doing IVF in Hobart.
Even if I fall pregnant and it sticks it's going to be a high risk pregnancy with high chances of a premature birth.
I’m currently photographing families who have in the past, or are currently going through fertility treatments. click on the link below to learn more about the project and to have your family be a part of it