«I was 40 when we decided to seek treatment.»
To be honest, the entire process is intense; there are ups and downs like a rollercoaster because you hold onto so much hope, and we were eager to become parents.
You start the process thinking, ‘This is the answer, this treatment will fix everything,’ but when it doesn’t work, you’re faced with the harsh reality: ‘What if we don’t succeed?’ After all the injections, the medication, and the hope you invest in everything… It was heartbreaking when the first cycle didn’t work, and the constant thought that you must have a baby is so stressful. I tried to calm myself, to be as happy as possible. I listened to music to relax, did yoga, ate better, and therapy was also an important part of the process. But eventually, I had a moment of realization where I thought, ‘If I don’t have a baby, I’ll be okay.’ I reached the point where I could think about it without bursting into tears, something I couldn’t do before.
I believe that’s an important message for other women: ‘You have to reach a point where your body and mind are okay with the idea that you might not have a baby.’ In a way, that soothes you. On the third cycle, the doctor placed three embryos, and one of them was perfect: the size, its development, the way its cells divided… we hadn’t had one like that before, it was the best embryo and it was growing beautifully.
Days passed, and the doctor called me and said: ‘You’re very pregnant.’ I felt a wave of happiness and I think I yelled to my partner, ‘I’m pregnant, I’m pregnant!’
The day he was born is somewhat hazy for me now; I barely recall the pain. My baby needed a cesarean section as he was not able to be delivered normally. When they placed him on my chest, I was captivated by his presence. He was making soft noises, slightly wet, and in that moment, I felt a deep sense of love. Rafael was born on May 3, 2020. He’s a loving and cheerful child, always smiling. For those eager to have a child, my suggestion is to start the treatment as soon as possible and give it your full attention. Rafael, we love you deeply and are grateful to our family and the universe for you… Each day is a joy with him, and we look forward to showing him the world.
