A winding road to a healthy pregnancy at 40: How Mira helped Myra
Myra W.
This describes a Mira customer’s personal experience and/or was sourced from a review or interview. Mira cannot guarantee the same results for everyone. Results will depend on each individual’s health conditions. Mira is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. Please consult with your doctor.
“My journey to a healthy pregnancy has been a long and winding one, with many twists and turns. But Mira gave me the confidence to take the final step towards motherhood.
My story actually starts way back in 2009. I found out that I had PCOS so I tried using the basal body thermometer with a partner, to try and pinpoint ovulation. Then I put my desire to build a family on hold so that I could focus on changing careers and becoming a better version of myself. I wanted to be sure I was ready to be a parent.
IVF and heartbreak
In 2020 I found out that I had endometriosis and one of my tubes was blocked. This was a blow as at this time I felt like I was ready to try to get pregnant. I had pelvic surgery – a laparoscopy – then I healed. Once I was better I tried IUI – but unfortunately, it didn’t work.
I then saved up money for IVF, as my insurance didn’t cover it. I did IVF and a fresh transfer in July of 2021 but sadly miscarried in September. Then immediately following the miscarriage I became pregnant again in October 2021, naturally with my partner. This was a pleasant but very unexpected surprise. Then I miscarried in December of 2021.
Investigations after loss
These losses were heartbreaking. I wanted to understand what could be happening. I had genetic testing on myself, HSG, recurrent pregnancy loss testing, fluid ultrasounds, laparoscopy, pelvic MRI, numerous ultrasounds, and bloodwork. All the investigations under the sun.
Because of my age and low ovarian reserve, doctors recommended that I do the IVF with the PGD testing, where they test the embryos in the lab before transfer. The concern is that my embryos may be more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities because of my advanced maternal age.
I considered adoption but wanted more than anything to give birth to a child of my own. I am a teacher and have worked with children for most of my adult life. It is sad that I have spent every day working with children, yet struggled to have a family of my own.
The financial and emotional toll of infertility
This process has been draining emotionally as well as financially. My state only offers assisted reproduction coverage to women who get pregnant with their husbands’ sperm. I am currently single, and unmarried so even if my company offered it, I wouldn’t qualify. Currently, the health insurance offered to public school teachers in my state does not offer assisted reproduction benefits at all, so I have had to save money to pay for the procedures out-of-pocket.
A little extra support from an expert can go a long way
Book an online consultation with one of our Hormone Health Coaches.
Schedule NowA glimmer of hope
Then I found a network of naturopathic doctors and attended a conference about tech for women. I learned about ways to improve egg quality and hormonal balance. This was also around the time I saw an ad for Mira on Facebook. I started tracking with the Mira app to learn more about my body and my cycle and went back to tracking my Basal Body Temperature. I also re-did the HSG in July of 2023 and both tubes were clear, with no blockage! Things were looking up!
When I noticed a more normal 3-month pattern on the Mira App, I decided to strike while the iron was hot…in November of 2023, I tried again with IUI. I used Clomid for 5 days and a trigger shot to induce ovulation. The procedure worked. So far I am 9 weeks into a normal healthy pregnancy! Over all of these years, I came up with a plan on when to try and when to begin trying something else. Finally, I have my happy ending.
Advice to others
For anyone else going through a tough fertility journey, I would tell them to join support groups in person or online, to work on stress management, and if they are religious to pray. Just take it day by day, minute by minute, and moment by moment.
