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Thursday July 10, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Personal Story of Infertility

Well, this is definitely a less-fun topic to discuss than all the previous ones but I think it’s an important topic none-the-less. If you were watching Channel 7 News Nightside on Thursday, July 10th you saw the story I did on infertility. Well, that story had a lot of personal meaning because my husband and I were also patients at Arkansas Fertility Clinic. We had tried for about two years to have a baby and had gone through seven failed insemination procedures. In January, we decided to take a break before starting the In Vitro Fertilization process. And that’s when we got pregnant!!! It really was unbelievable. No drugs... no procedures. Even our doctor, Doctor Fransisco Batres, said we must have had a little help from above!

I wanted to share our story because I think it can give others hope. After being diagnosed with “medical infertility” it was so hard to remain hopeful but I’m so glad we did! 

Thanks for all your support!

 

Update:

Thanks so much for all the comments! It is so good to hear from others who have been in the same situation. I love hearing the successful adoption stories too. We actually strongly considered adoption (my husband was adopted) but the high price of private adoption agencies made us look for other options. So we attended an informative meeting by The CALL (Children of Arkansas Loved for a Lifetime) and had planned to pursue getting certified to become adoptive parents. But that was right around the time we found out we were pregnant! However that’s definitely something we may do someday. I just think it’s so important for people to know that there are many options out there for those who want to become parents.

Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers… you all will be in my prayers as well!

 

 

posted by Christina Munoz

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Comments on Personal Story of Infertility
lakesha
3:31 pm on 11/19/08
Oh my God, this sounds just like me and my husbands situation! We stayed hopeful

Robyn
12:09 am on 10/27/08
I was also a patient of Dr. Batres.....same story, when I was about to give up, I got pregnant......second time around, I got pregnant without really trying, something about second pregnancies making you a fertile myrtle must be true.....this is a late post, your baby is beautiful.

Alix Michel
8:34 pm on 10/21/08
Well, my mother got pregnant exactly the same way : my parents have been trying for 10 years, they did almost every thing. When they took a break, my mom heard about a church where sometimes miracles can happen (in France). So she went several times and prayed. So finally, months later, I was born!!! And my brother arrived 6 years later!!! Without any medical help!!! I really believe in miracles since then...

Kara
8:03 pm on 07/28/08
Christina, I just wanted to say thanks for doing such a great job on this segment (although, I had a little more air time than I thought I would;) It has been great for me to read all these blogs. Very encouraging. I will keep you posted on our results! Thanks again for being so warm and welcoming. It was so easy to talk to you. Kara

Heather Bickerstaff
9:44 am on 07/25/08
I have been seeing Dr. Michael Miller at Arkansas Fertility for quite some time. I have real bad endometriosis and it caused fertility problems for me. My husband and I have tried many options over the past year. Dr. Miller was getting ready to do some more clomid and inseminations and while we were taking a break and just waiting is when I got pregnant also. I am not due until February, but let me tell you, I was really relieved when I found out that I didn't have to go through all of that now. I am also happy for you and your husband. Good luck.

Marge
8:11 pm on 07/22/08
Christina, I just wanted to tell you from my husband and I that your smile is captivating. Your are so pleasant, we enjoy watching you. As I said before we are so happy for you and your husband and will be waiting to hear the good news of the birth of the baby later. Bless you both. Marge and Sarge

Lynda
9:31 am on 07/22/08
I wanted to offer my congratulation too! Although a bit of a distant memory now, I went through many of the same procedures (and even more) with no success. After much prayer, my husband and I decided to take a break from our 4 year struggle and reevaluate. Adoption was our main option at that time. But God had other plans and in His perfect timing,we got pregnant - that 19 year old son just called from college to say hello!! Time flies, cherish all the days ahead and don't rush through them. Enjoy your precious new life, children really are a blessing. Hope this can be an encouragement to all the others struggling with this issue. Best wishes.

elizabeth
10:06 pm on 07/21/08
Dear Christina, Congratulations on your pregnancy. Like so many couples my husband and I went through infertility. We had IVF after about 2 years of trying to conceive. We went to Arkansas Fertility and Gynecology to have our IVF. We were told that the only way we could have a baby is to do IVF with an egg donor. We successfully got pregnant with twins. When the twins were 13 months old I found out that I was pregnant again. Like you we too had help from God-- no drugs and no doctors. We could not believe it . I had my new baby in July. She is perfectly healthy...

Good Luck and Congrats!!!

suzzanna
6:40 pm on 07/17/08
my name is suzzanna after losing my first child at 22 weeks my hubby and I are now trying to have a another baby. after using the clearblue easy feritlity monitor with no success (not saying it doesnt work im just a impatient brat lol) i have searched for fertility clinics on web and came across arkansas fertility and gynocology. i cant wait to get this show on the road. good luck to everyone who are trying to conceive and congrats to all who have there buddle of joy

suzzanna

victoria
9:12 am on 07/17/08
christina i am new here but wanted to say congartes on your baby i am a mom of 3 and a grandma of 1 for a name i have always liked the name ariel dawn that what i was going to name my last child but her dad had another name just a name for you to look at

Jennifer Coleman
9:23 pm on 07/16/08
Hi Christina,

I must say that you have been hiding your pregnancy well. I am currently due around the same time you are, and my husband noticed you were pregnant before I did. I have a 4 year old son named David, and a girl on the way. I like biblical names with special meanings. To me a name is much more special when it means something. I am 25 weeks pregnant myself with my first girl, so I know what you are going through. I think it is neat that we are having our girls around the same time. Best of luck to you! I know you will be a great mom!

Renee
10:44 pm on 07/14/08
Hi Christina. Congratulations on your baby girl. I have a few suggestions for names, Laura, Leslie, Elizabeth and Taylor. What to put on your registry??? Diapers, baby wipes and A&D cream. Bibs are great, a bottle/nipple drying rack, and a nipple rack for the dishwasher. If I think of anything else that may be helpful, I will let you know. But really, once that sweet baby girl gets here, you will know what to do and what she will need. Congratulations again!

Jackson
11:48 pm on 07/13/08
This story has truly been a blessing for my husband and I. I am a patient of Dr. Moutos. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for three years now. We tried infertilty drugs, surgery and now IVF. I recently began my first IVF cycle, but had to cancel it due to the stimulation of my eggs. My husband and I wanted to give up, but aftering hearing your story we believe that we can endure alittle while longer. Thank you for inspiring us. Good luck with parenthood!!!!

Sarah
10:17 am on 07/12/08
I was a patient there also. I saw Moutos, Miller, and Batres. We already had a daughter which we conceived on the first try with no help. After trying on our own for a year with no results we sought help. It was a very hard and confusing time. Secondary infertility was tough because you just constantly wonder what has changed in 3 years. We had gotten pregnant so easily 3 years prior so why wasn't it working now. I have to give Miller the credit for finally getting us pregnant though. I was on clomid and he preformed our 2nd IUI which gave us triplets (2 girls and 1 boy). They are now very healthy 5 month olds.

Crystal Newberry
9:04 pm on 07/11/08
I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one struggling with infertility. My Husband and I will be married 8 years this month, and we have been trying to have a baby for over 7 years. I did take some fertility pills that my gyno perscribed, and my husband was checked and found out that he has low sperm. Thats all that we could afford to do. Our insurance dosent cover infertiliy, and we cant afford to do invitro or insemnation, so we cant go any further. Is there any affordable ways to go about getting more testing?

Tressa
6:15 pm on 07/11/08
My husband and I also were patients with Dr. Batres. We had tried for 3 years and were also diagnosed with medical infertility. We went through 3 unsuccessful artificial inseminations and then did the IVF. We were fortunate in that it took the first time and we conceived our beautiful now 18 month son. 15 months and 1 day later we gave birth to our daughter in which we conceived with no medical help and no idea it would happen!!

I am so happy for you and your husband and know you will make amazing parents. When you go through what we have to have a child you appreciate so much everything about the pregnancy and every little moment with that child.

God bless your family!

Sadaf
11:30 am on 07/11/08
I went through infertility treatment as well and after several months of Clomid, 2 IUI's and 4 IVF's (over a total of 6 years), I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl and then I tried one more time and had 3 healthy beautiful triplets (2 boys and 2 girls now). So, in 2 years, I went from no children to 4 children. So, for all of you out there, have Hope! The whole process teaches you to be patient and more thankful to God for everything that you do have!

Kimberly James
11:26 am on 07/11/08
I was so touched by your story. I too went through a long infertility process. My was 11.5 yrs though. I had no dianosis, it was "unexplained infertility". It was maddening. In November of 2004 I was told that I would probably never get pregnant after all this time and all the drugs I had tried, but they would try IVF. After much discussion and tears, and yes, even a trip to a psychiatrist, we decided that God must have other plans for us as bad as we wanted a child and we would not try IVF. Well, 14 months later, at the age of 38 in March of 2005, I thought that I was going through menopause and low and behold, I was pregnant !!!! In November of 2005, after a text book pregnancy, I gave birth to a beautiful little girl named Amelia Sydnee. She was sooooo worth all the money, pain, and frustration. She is 2.5 yrs old now and she is beautiful, smart and just a great kid. Congratulations and we look forward to seeing your beautiful little girl. My best mommy advice is trust your mommy instinct. We can all tell you what we think, but you have to go with your heart and your gut.

Ali
11:21 am on 07/11/08
Hi Christina, Batres is my doctor too!! Isn't he the best?!? I love his little laugh/purr thing he does too. I have endometriosis and was also born with two uteruses. Batres did my surgery and then we started trying. I was only 23 years old but it was a "now or never" situation. My husband also have a great relationship. We tried 3 cycles of Clomid but it didn't work. Then we decided to take a break like you. After 7 months of trying we got pregnant on our on with no help!!!

Brandi
10:55 am on 07/11/08
Christina, I am a patient at Arkansas Fertility. Dr. Dean Moutos is my doctor. My husband and I have been trying to have a baby for 5 years. I have a severe case of endometrosis, which is causing the infertility. Dr. Moutos is very nice and seems to know what he is doing. I am having another endometriosis surgery at the end of this month, hoping to get most of it so I can get pregnant. I was going to a doctor in Hot Springs, who performed my last surgery which didn't help at all. Hopefully, Dr. Moutos can work miracles. Thanks for sharing your story with me....it really gives me hope.

Brandi

Rhonda
10:52 am on 07/11/08
We, too, were patients of Dr. Miller. Anyone who has not been through it cannot truly appreciate what happens when you go through so much, just to have it fail time and time again. Our first IVF attempt failed, but our second one turned into our little miracles...twin boys, who are now four years old. I enjoyed your segment, because a lot of people don't realize just how many different options there are available to them, as well as financing options. Congratulations on your little bundle of joy!

Viewer
10:38 am on 07/11/08
Congratulations! I really appreciate your story on Arkansas Fertility and Gynecology--they are truly miracle workers. After multiple surgeries for endometriosis and ovarian/uterine cysts, Drs. Batres, Miller, and Moutos decided to "fastrack" us for IVF, skipping artificial insemmination. It worked on the first try, and we have a beautiful 2-year-old daughter. You'll love having a daughter, and best wishes.

Tammy
10:11 am on 07/11/08
I as unaware of your infertility issues until your segment last night. My husband and I have been unsuccessful for months now. I have had surgerical procedures just this week and recovering well. Our physician will be starting us BOTH on fertility medications within the next couple of weeks. So my thoughts and prayers are with you and baby. I also congratulate you and your husband on your success. Hopefully my husband and I will have something wonderful happen soon that we can celebrate as well. God Bless.

Sara
9:47 am on 07/11/08
Hi, My husband and I had problems and were married almost 15 years before we had our daughter. We had decided that we would quit trying so hard and adopt, but then we found that we were pregnant. It was well worth the wait as she was a very healthy child and is a great person as an adult. Good luck on your baby.

Louise Cornell
12:33 am on 07/11/08
Christina, My husband and I really enjoy watching you on KATV. You are so pretty, have a wonderful smile, and you always present your news stories with care and compassion. Congratulations on your baby-to-be. My prayers are that you have a beautiful healthy baby and have a wonderful time raising him/her. My daughter is trying to have a baby also, and I plan to share your story with her to give her courage to keep trying. Thanks again for being you!!!!!!

Tonya
12:28 am on 07/11/08
Christina,

I really do appreciate you sharing your story. Like you, my husband and I have also been trying to have a baby for the past 3 or 4 years. About two years ago, I became pregnant, but almost 3 months into the pregnancy I had a miscarriage. We've been leary about seeing a fertility specialist for help (for fear of having multiple babies, increased risks, etc.). But, after reading about your experience it has really encouraged me to remain hopeful and prayerful.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Tonya

Christina
12:24 am on 07/11/08
Congrats Christina! I actually just found out that you were expecting. We too were patients of Dr. Batres and actually ended up getting pregnant on our own. We have a seven month old, and are now expecting our second as well. We definitely feel like we had help from above!! Enjoy every moment. It is the greatest blessing in the world. Enjoy these next few months with just your hubbie. Take advantage of being able to be spontaneous! A great marriage makes great children! Many Blessings! Christina

Christy Barnett
11:45 pm on 07/10/08
I watched your story on infertility tonight. I just noticed last week you were pregnant! Congrats! I'm pregnant as well. I'm due Feb 25th. My husband and i already have a set of twin boys that will be 4 in aug. Ive read your blogs about morning sickness and yes they should call it all day long sickness! I'm so glad god has blessed you and your husband with this wonderful gift! Your life will never be the same and being a mother is the BEST thing in the world!! Good luck and i look forward to reading more blogs as the weeks go by.

Christy Barnett

Marge
11:43 pm on 07/10/08
Wishing you and your husband the best. I will be praying for you and the health of your baby. I was so glad to hear that you were pregnant. I watch channel 7 every day at 6:00pm and 10:00pm.

mandy, cabot ,Ar
11:39 pm on 07/10/08
my husband and i could also not have children, could afford invitro,or other infertility procedures. So we adopted a 7yr old boy through DHS 2 yrs ago, it was an adjustment but worth every bit. we had picked Taylor for a baby girl name when we were trying and when DHS called about a 7yr old boy and his name was Taylor i knew it was meant to be. So don't worry about anything not working as planned , because it was already planned for you by GOD!!! congratulations!! wish you all the best.

Julie
11:37 pm on 07/10/08
Thank you so much for your story! We also were patients of Dr. Batres's! He is wonderful, as are the other doctors and entire staff! I greatly appreciated your story. Infertility is a tremendous strugge and I think your story will help people see how common it really is. Thankfully we had a set of healthy twins last year after undergoing our first round of IVF. Many blessings to you and your new family! Thank you again!

janet smith plainview,ar 28
11:35 pm on 07/10/08
I think god works in his own time and way. You always think not having your own childern is the worst thing in the world but let me share my story. It took tim and i six years to get pregant and we were so happy but after carry the baby boy for seven months we lost him, he died and we had to bury him. Then the next year we got pregant again with a set of twins boys we were so happy that we were going to be blessed with not just one but two, at six months pregant i had to stay at baptist because again i was having problems six weeks later they were born and lived only a few hours a piece and we had to bury two more.After that we were though having our own we could not go though that again. We knew god still had plans for us. So we went to DHS with the hopes of adopting, that's then we knew thats what god wanted us to do. We now are in our final stages of adopting a precious 5 year old boy. You do not realize how many childern are in the state of arkansas that need of being adopted. We could not love a child as much as we love this one, he is the best gift god could ever give.maybe thats his plans for some other families in arkansas, not bewing ableto have your own can turn out to be the biggest blessing of all! And the best part when you adopt though DHS it has no cost, these childern have no price but they are priceless thanks, God Bless

Gina
11:34 pm on 07/10/08
Christina, thanks for the story tonight. My husband and I struggled with infertility for nine years-three months (not that I counted or anything - ) before Dr. Dean Moutos - then at UAMS and now in with Dr. Batres - suggested we go with IUI. I was 36 and time was "ticking"! Our first insemination failed and our second one resulted in the conception of our now five-and-a-half year-old daughter. I can well imagine what a struggle seven failed attempts would be!

And to encourage you in case you want more... when our IUI baby was seven-and-a-half months old, I got pregnant with no medical intervention. I tell people all the time, "I'm proof that previous infertility and exclusive breastfeeding are NOT birth control." Our 2nd child is 16-months younger than her older sister. And 10 days before #2's birthday - I found out I was pregnant again! After not being able to GET pregnant, I suddenly couldn't STOP! (how's that for God's sense of humor?). I had three children in 35 months! And then...just five months ago...had baby #4. Yes, four babies in five years -- two of them after the age of 40, three of them without medical intervention.

I missed Eloise on GMA (love her!) - but wanted to let you know 2 things I recommend for your baby registry -- a Medela Pump In Style if you're going to breastfeed and a Graco SafeSeat car seat plus an extra base. The SafeSeat is the only carseat on the market engineered to be rear facing for children up to 30 pounds and 32 inches. My 2.5 year old could still be rear-facing if I had this seat for her! (it's what we have for the baby) The Quattro Tour Deluxe Travel System with SafeSeat is the Travel System (stroller + car seat) that has the SafeSeat as the car seat. Rear facing as long as possible is proving to be safer -- keep 'em backwards as long as you can!

I also recommend the book "Your Baby's First Year Week by Week" by Glade Curtis - it gives milestones your baby will likely be hitting each week and fun little activities you can do with your little one that go along with her milestones and encourage her development. It's wonderful and informative without talking down to you. I've used it with all four of my kiddos.

I know what a treasure your little girl will be to you because of all you've gone through to have her. I look forward to the announcement on KATV that she is here, healthy and safe!

Glenda Sollis
11:32 pm on 07/10/08
Christina, I was watching when you joyfully announced you were "with child". At that time I did not realize your history, however, I rejoice with any young woman when she learns that GOD has placed a child in her womb for her to carry and care for. I am a 66 year old grandmother who was told I would not be able to have children and know the extreme joy of being told by my physician that I was pregnant. Unfortunately, our first baby died pre-birth and is now in Heaven awaiting our reunion. I am the Mother of two living grown children and 5 grandchildren. Keep us posted on your progress and enjoy every moment of your pregnancy with your husband. Caring for a child comes with built-in abilities at the time when they are needed. Thank you for sharing.

GRATEFUL, Glenda Sollis Hot Springs National Park, AR

Kerri Hellwig
11:32 pm on 07/10/08
Christina, Thanks so much for your story on Night side. Congratualtions on your pregnancy. I didn't know of your struggles with infertility until that story but I am so happy for you. I ,too, was a patient of Dr. Batres. After two miscarriages, I went to him and we were able to have a baby. She is now almost 10 years old and we have 4 children altogether now. This is such an exciting time in your life. Enjoy every moment. I look forward to reading more of your blogs as the next few months pass. God Bless you!!!

Joye
11:19 pm on 07/10/08
Thank you so much for doing this story! I am 32 and recently went through secondary infertility. Thanks to Dr. Batres, I now have an 8 month old little girl. Her 6 year old brother prayed for a baby sister or brother every night.......he is so glad she is finally here (me too, those prayers broke my heart). Dr. Batres' quirky personality, upside down pictures and wonderful laugh are the only reasons I made it through the dreaded visits to the "fertility clinic". Thanks for helping to bring this issue to people's attention. Maybe it will help other women feel like they are not alone in this terrible struggle.

Evlyn
11:18 pm on 07/10/08
Congratulations.

Clara Carger
11:15 pm on 07/10/08
You go girl....you're a lovely lady and I'm sure you'll make a great mom.

God Bless You!!!

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