Leyla and Leo’s IVF Journey at Hannam Fertility Centre
Knowing that endometriosis might make it difficult for them to conceive, Leyla and Leo came to HFC for support in starting their family.
Written by Corrina Allen.
Leyla and Leo met during the pandemic and quickly became part of one another’s bubble. As their relationship developed and deepened, Leyla knew she had to tell Leo about her endometriosis. They both wanted a family and the condition, which can cause scarring, adhesion, and inflammation on reproductive organs, can make it difficult for some people to become pregnant.
“It’s okay,” Leo told her, “We have science.”
After trying to conceive naturally for a few months without success, Leyla’s gynaecologist recommended Hannam Fertility Centre, advising the couple to book a consultation with fertility specialist Dr. Shannon Moore. While the pair were based outside of Toronto, they decided to travel to the city, convinced and encouraged by the level of trust Leyla’s gynaecologist had in the quality of care they would receive at the clinic.
The couple’s initial testing at HFC confirmed that Leyla’s endometriosis was likely impacting their fertility. It also showed that they were good candidates for IVF, which often is the recommended path to pregnancy for people with endometriosis. Still, Leyla and Leo wanted to proceed with some caution. Not because they didn’t trust the procedures and protocols, but because they were concerned about creating expectations that might not be met. To them, the prospect of putting their complete faith and efforts into IVF only to have it not work out, was a little frightening.
They valued the fact that Dr. Moore proceeded at a pace that made them feel comfortable. “Dr. Moore didn't promise us anything. She was very realistic about my situation and about what she was going to try to do for us,” says Leyla. “She never jumped too far ahead. We went step by step, which I appreciated.”
With Dr. Moore’s guidance, Leyla and Leo were able to manage the routine that IVF treatment demands. “It was a lot of early mornings and a lot of injections,” recalls Leo. “It's multiple days, multiple steps, lots of stuff you need to do on your own, and lots of trips to the clinic, driving all the way to Toronto and back to our hometown before work. It was a whole journey.”
When questions arose, Leyla and Leo found that getting answers was easy. Dr. Moore’s team would respond to their emails or calls in a timely fashion, a resource that was available even when urgent issues arose on weekends. “We weren't treated like a number at all. They genuinely cared about our success and taking care of us during this process,” says Leyla.
“We weren’t treated like a number at all. They genuinely cared about our success and taking care of us during this process.”
Following Leyla’s egg retrieval procedure, the couple had two viable embryos.
Unfortunately, the couple suffered a miscarriage after their first transfer. Although this was a difficult time, the care team demonstrated a level of empathy that still makes Leyla emotional today. “The technician that took my blood to confirm that I had a miscarriage was so kind,” she says, remembering the time, space, and privacy she was given to grieve in that moment. “And Dr. Moore recommended therapy for me. She encouraged me to talk to somebody about the miscarriage. I still talk to my therapist to this day to deal with all the post-partum things. I’m grateful for that.”
As Leo had predicted, science did step in to play a supporting role in the end. Following their miscarriage, the couple decided to try to get pregnant again. Their previous egg retrieval and fertilization process had provided them with two viable embryos and Leyla's second transfer resulted in a successful pregnancy. Today, the couple are enjoying their first year as parents to a baby girl.
