High school sweethearts coping with male infertility ready to welcome a baby
Zachary couple recipients of a Gift of Hope IUI Grant 2017.
Rachel and Matthew’s story begins in the halls of Zachary High School in 1999. High school sweethearts, the couple married in 2005 and started thinking about having a family. They tried to conceive on their own for a few years and in 2008 decided it was time to consult with an expert and made an appointment with her OB-Gyn. He gave them clear guidelines how to increase their chances of conceiving and using over-the-counter ovulation kits. With their new-found knowledge they tried a little longer on their own, but after a year of no success they knew they needed to explore their issues further. Seeking the help of a local infertility specialist, the Gayles decided to try intrauterine insemination, which proved unsuccessful.
In 2010, they decided to get a second opinion. This specialist gave them news that rocked them to the core. He told them that according to Matt’s semen analysis there was a “slim to none” chance that they would conceive on their own or with IUI. After consulting with a male infertility colleague, this specialist stated that his sperm’s morphology was too low and that their only option to conceive was IVF with ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection in which a single, healthy sperm is injected directly into the egg for fertilization. The total price for the procedure and medications, the doctor told them, was roughly $20,000 and when did they want to start? Totally shocked, Rachel and Matthew knew they couldn’t afford that and decided to scrap the whole of idea of trying to have a baby than on their own. They were instead praying for their miracle baby, hoping God would come through for them in His time.
After five years of no pregnancy, Rachel and Matt decided again to consult with an urology expert in male fertility in 2015. This doctor stated that while Matt did have a low morphology rate, it wasn’t detrimentally low and he didn’t see a reason why they could not conceive through IUI or even on their own. He recommended that they be looked at again by an infertility specialist and this led them to Dr. John Storment and Fertility Answers. Dr. Storment agreed with the urologist and they attempted another IUI which was unfortunately unsuccessful. At this point, however, the Gayles had drained their finances so they put their hopes for a baby on hold again.
After 8 years of trying to conceive, Rachel and Matt still believe their chance will come.
God’s plan will come through for them and maybe there were reasons God has made them wait for a child so long. Through their years-long struggle, both Rachel and Matt have furthered their educations, with Rachel obtaining her RN license and Matt back in school. With advanced degrees helping them be more successful in life, they feel more ready to welcome a child into their home.
