Being happily married usually leads to having children. But for some couples, conceiving a child is not as simple, leading to years or even a lifetime of emptiness. For this couple, being unable to have a baby was a very real part of their lives, but there is a happy ending to this tale!
Desiree and Ryan Fortin are college sweethearts. They have been married, happily so, since 2009. But one thing was missing, a baby. For years the couple tried to make a baby, with no luck. Sadly, Desiree with polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothyroid, and low progesterone.
Still, Desiree just could not fall pregnant. The whole process left her mentally and physically drained:
“[Infertility] brought me more tears than I ever thought I could shed…. I lay on my bathroom floor in complete emptiness after countless negative pregnancy tests time and time again. I had to endure shots, bruises, and all kinds of meds because when you are infertile and you seek fertility treatment for help, that is what you are in for. [It is] expensive and exhausting physically, emotionally, and mentally.”
Desiree documented their struggles and joys on her blog, Our Journey To Parenthood. She says her blog helped her through a lot, and writing and sharing helped her with the many years of heartache and tears.
“The journey we have been given on our road to parenthood is nothing what I thought it would be. There have been LOTS of tears, heart-wrenching moments, physical pain, grief, jealousy, and a complete feeling of emptiness. However, despite how trying our journey has been, it has been the most hopeful, rewarding, joyful experience I have ever shared in. I wouldn’t trade our story for anyone’s because I believe that God knitted every detail of our story so perfectly, in a way, that not only are we abundantly blessed and blown away by His complete and utter faithfulness, but our story is one of HOPE.”
This meant that their only option would end up being in-vitro fertilization. After three long years, they decided to try it. Finally, the couple found out they were going to be parents. Of course, they were over the moon with joy! But when having their first ultrasound, they were quite surprised by what they saw. Desiree and Ryan were going to be parents to not one, but THREE babies. Unfortunately, this was not the end of the difficult journey for the couple. Desiree was told that she would not be able to carry her triplets to term.
“I was too thin, too short, and it was my first pregnancy. However, my hope wounds proved her wrong.”
When telling their friends and family the happy news, everyone had thought the couple was having twins, so they surprised them at their gender reveal party. Two boxes hid blue balloons, representing the twin boys.