When did you start your journey?
November 2023
How did you discover you had infertility?
6 years trying with no luck
What brought you to CCRM?
Research and prayer
What was your fertility diagnosis?
Hashimotos and endometriosis
What fertility treatments did you pursue?
IVF
What did your path to parenthood look like?
Our fertility journey began in fall 2023 when we met Dr. Patel—a doctor we immediately felt we had prayed for. He was incredibly knowledgeable and always honest, sometimes tough, but deeply supportive in a way we truly needed and appreciated.
When I was younger, I dreamed of having a big family—eight kids at one point, then six, then four. But after autoimmune diagnoses and years passing, that dream shifted. After six years of marriage without children, we found ourselves praying, crying, and pleading with God for just one miracle—our rainbow baby.
Our first IVF retrieval in May 2024 gave us eight embryos, but only a little over half made it to testing, and just one came back normal. In July 2024, we tried again, but all three embryos from that cycle failed to survive. We were heartbroken, but we leaned into our faith, trusting that God’s plan was greater than our own.
Knowing we had just one chance, we pursued more testing and ultimately moved forward with surgery to remove endometriosis in December 2024. With hope and careful planning, we scheduled our transfer for March 10, 2025—just one month after I turned 40.
That one perfect embryo became our greatest blessing. In November 2025, we welcomed our daughter, Gabriela Grace Franklin, and instantly fell completely in love. Every shot, every procedure, every tear, and every moment of waiting was worth it. She arrived in God’s perfect timing, and we are endlessly grateful for our Gigi girl.
What was your treatment experience like? The highs? The lows?
It was a roller coaster of emotions. A lot of highs, lows, and everything in between. The constant unknown and the reality of every step kept us on edge the entire time. I didn’t believe it and could not rest until I held our baby for the first time.
Was there anything that surprised you on your journey?
No matter what you do, how you eat, how in shape you are, how diligent your are with your journey, there is not one thing that can guarantee the outcome one way or the other. I realized that as hard as I was on myself sometimes, my body was going to be home to our little one because she was meant to be. I was older, overweight, declining health, but Gigi was meant to be and my body did exactly what it was suppose to to be a healthy home for our girl while she grew inside of me.
What helped you along the way?
Our faith, support, and amazing doctor
What gave you hope throughout the process?
Our faith, support, and amazing doctor
What advice would you give to others on their journey?
Do not give up! There isn’t a perfect way to do things! Craving a cheeseburger during your journey when you are doing an anti inflammatory diet, enjoy it. Enjoy date nights with your partner, give yourself grace, trust what is meant to be will be. It only takes ONE embryo to bring you your miracle, so don’t be hard on yourself, and trust 🙂
Tell us about your little one!
Gabriela Grace (GIGI) is better than anything I could have ever dreamed of. There are moments I still cannot believe she is finally here. Her personality is starting to come through and she just draws you in with her tender smile and gentle eyes. She is her daddy’s twin with her mamas dimple but perfectly made in Gods image.
Anything else you’d like to add?
IVF babies are different. Every person who wants to become a parent, yearns for their baby, but IVF babies are yearned for in a whole other different level. They are truly miracles! Science is beautiful and what a blessing to live in a time where our dreams can come true! If it hasn’t happened, don’t give up; your miracle will come. Just wait <3
