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Seeds of Success: The Begor Family

The journey to parenthood was a long and arduous one for Sandi and Ken Begor. Both are school teachers and coaches, happily surrounded by kids on a daily basis. After five years of marriage, the couple decided that they wanted the opportunity to teach a child of their own to learn, grow and thrive.

A smiling family of four stands outside a red barn with string lights. The father holds a baby, the mother stands beside him holding the hand of an older child, all dressed in casual fall clothing.

“We just have always had this outlook that good things happen to good people,” said Sandi. “And if we’re surrounded by these kids and we’re giving them everything that we have, then we’re just hoping to get this repaid to us.”

After trying to get pregnant naturally without success, the couple scheduled an appointment at CCRM’s Dover office to seek help on the advice of Sandi’s gynecologist. According to Sandi, walking through the doors of CCRM Fertility of Delaware was an unexpected reality. “I truly thought it was just going to happen on its own,” she said. “That whole world of infertility was just not one that I thought about.”

Fortunately, Sandi was surrounded by colleagues and friends with their own experiences of fertility treatment who were able to help ease her mind and let her know what to expect. The staff at CCRM Fertility of Delaware did their part as well. “From the minute you walk in you’re always greeted with a smile and by name,” Sandi said. “The nurses are so friendly and instantly become your No. 1 fans. They know you’re nervous, they recognize how difficult the journey is, and they do whatever they can to ease your nerves.”

“The nurses are so friendly, and instantly become your No. 1 fans. They know you’re nervous, they recognize how difficult the journey is, and they do whatever they can to ease your nerves.”
– Sandi Begor
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Lifestyle Changes and Hard Work

While IVF tends to get the most press when it comes to fertility treatments, many patients find success through less-invasive procedures, including intrauterine insemination (IUI). The Begors are one of those families, but it took time for the couple to choose IUI as a treatment option.

Sandi was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that is common among women of reproductive age and can halt ovulation. At the time of diagnosis, Sandi also had a relatively high BMI, and made the decision to live a healthier life in order to better facilitate pregnancy.

“I knew right then and there that if this was something that I wanted, I needed to buckle down and I needed to make the changes,” said Sandi. “I started eating better and working out.”

At the same time, the Begors began treatment, experimenting with Clomid and timed intercourse over the course of five months. When nothing happened during that time, the couple decided that a four-month break to ease the stress and pressure that comes with treatment was needed. Despite the temporary setback, they maintained a strong commitment to their journey towards a healthier lifestyle and even succeeded in running their first 5K.

A young boy wearing a gray and black sweater stands outside on a grassy area with patches of melting snow, smiling and looking to the side.
Ken and Sandi’s son, Kenny Begor III, born in August 2014.

The Stars Aligned with Help from IUI

Following their much-needed break, the Begors came back to CCRM refreshed and ready to try something new. Their doctor recommended IUI, and miraculously, the very first IUI procedure resulted in pregnancy. Sandi and Ken welcomed Kenny Begor III in August 2014.

The Begors immediately embraced parenthood, and are thankful for their son on a daily basis. “He has been the greatest thing to bless either of our lives and either of our families,” Ken said. “I didn’t know it was possible to love someone so hard until my son was born. Every day that miracle blesses our lives and I will never forget it.”

“He has been the greatest thing to bless either of our lives and either of our families. I didn’t know it was possible to love someone so hard until my son was born. Every day that miracle blesses our lives and I will never forget it.”
– Ken Begor
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Seeking a Second Miracle

Both Sandi and Ken grew up in large families, and when Kenny was 1 year old, they decided to try and give him the love of a younger sibling. The couple once again turned to CCRM for guidance, with a greater understanding of what to expect.

Prior to undergoing her first IUI, Sandi had a hysteroscopy to remove polyps in her uterine cavity. In order to improve her chances of having a second child, another hysteroscopy was scheduled, giving Sandi a fresh start. Sadly, two subsequent IUI treatments failed, and at the same time, the Begors began to feel the financial sting that can accompany fertility treatment.

“These failed cycles unfortunately have wiped out our lifetime insurance amount, and have tapped in to our savings account tremendously,” said Sandi. As state employees, the Begors had limited insurance coverage, but they put their hope in a proposed bill expanding fertility care coverage that would provide a chance at IVF.

Advocating for SB139

With IVF being the only option the Begors have to get a second baby, the couple became vocal advocates for the passage of SB139. Holding true to their belief that good things happen to good people, they decided to share their story and write heartfelt letters to state representatives. Sandi cried when she read her husband’s letter, she said, “It’s funny when you go through this journey, we talked but I didn’t realize how much it affected him as well.”

Ken even considered switching jobs so that his son could have a sibling and his wife could realize her dream of being a mother a second time. Sandi was extremely touched by her husband’s offer, especially considering that he loves his job as a teacher. “It’s pretty intense,” said Sandi. “I got a good guy.”

Their advocacy efforts paid off. The good news arrived on June 10, 2019, when the State Employee Benefits Committee (SEBC) voted to expand fertility care and add fertility preservation benefits for state employees. The Begors were elated and know this news will ease their financial burden as they move forward.

 
“They were rooting for us. They were our cheerleaders.”
– Sandi Begor
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“Seeing those people and their friendly faces all the time made it easier,” said Sandi. “They were rooting for us. They were our cheerleaders. At the end, everyone’s goal is to get you pregnant. So, no matter how scared or nervous I was, everyone was like, ‘you’ll be fine, this is going to work, have faith’ — and we always did.”

Ken and Sandi Begor welcomed their second son, and Kenny’s new best friend, Karter, in July of 2020!

A newborn baby wearing a cap rests on their mothers bare chest, both sharing a close and tender skin-to-skin moment shortly after birth. The image is in black and white.
A man leans on a hospital bed, smiling at the camera, while a woman lies in the bed holding a baby wrapped in a blanket, also smiling. The scene suggests a joyful moment, likely after childbirth.
A young boy with short hair, wearing a light blue shirt and dark shorts, sits barefoot on large rocks by the water, smiling with arms crossed and legs folded. The sky is clear and the water is calm in the background.
A smiling family of three poses outdoors. The man wears sunglasses and a sleeveless shirt, the woman has sunglasses and pulled-back hair, and the young boy in a neon Ahoy Matey shirt grins at the camera. Blue sky with clouds is visible behind them.
A smiling woman with long brown hair hugs a young boy with short hair. Both are wearing dark sweaters and are outdoors, with blurred greenery in the background. They look happy and close.
A woman and a young child, both smiling, share a joyful hug on a sunny softball field. The woman is wearing a blue sweatshirt and the child is dressed in black.
A family of four poses outdoors by a wooden fence and sandy dunes. The father stands to the left, the mother in the center holds a baby, and a young boy stands in front of her. Everyone is smiling at the camera.
Two children lie next to each other, smiling. The older child’s shirt reads, “Did we just become best friends?” and the baby’s shirt says, “Yep!” Both appear happy and content. The photo is in black and white.
Two young boys sit together on a chair; the older boy is smiling and hugging the younger boy, who is also smiling and wearing a brown shirt with a turkey face. They appear happy and are sitting on a red plaid cushion.
A man, woman, young boy, and baby smile for a selfie outdoors in sunlight. The man wears a checkered shirt, the woman a burgundy top, the boy a gray shirt, and the baby an owl-themed outfit.
A family of four, dressed in winter clothing and hats, smiles outside in a snowy landscape. The adults and children are close together, with snow-covered trees in the background.

Photos provided by Amy Stamm, Jennifer Trego Photography, Delaney Dobson Photography, and Laura Navarre Photography.

A woman in a green dress sits and talks with a smiling doctor holding a tablet. The doctor wears a white coat and a stethoscope, and they are seated across a small round table in a bright room.

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