My IVF Journey part I: Keitha Nelson divulging her struggles and triumphs with In Vitro Fertilization
Infertility is an issue that affects more couples than you might think. First Coast News Anchor, Keitha Nelson, shares her journey to motherhood.
First Coast News is delving into an issue that many couples don’t often talk about openly; infertility. Good Morning Jacksonville Anchor, Keitha Nelson is sharing her own personal battle with infertility and going through the In Vitro Fertilization process.
The Beginning Part One
For four months I injected myself with medication using countless needles.
I never wanted to do In Vitro Fertilization but felt as if I had no choice after six years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive a child with my husband. Reggie and I have been together for 16 years and have been married for ten.
Painful. That's the best word to describe our unsuccessful attempts over the years to have a child. A part of me felt as if I was letting my husband down.
Our quest to have a baby lead us to the Caribbean, specifically Barbados. A number of things factored in our decision including the price of In Vitro Fertilization and a lack of insurance coverage.
I got a quote for the cost of IVF in the states it was roughly $20,000. My insurance covered none of that. Treatment in Barbados, including travel and lodging, totaled $12,000. To go through something as stressful as In Vitro Fertilization in a relaxing environment just made sense.
Two weeks in the Caribbean seems like a great vacation, at least that's the perception I put out there on social media. Not even my co-workers knew that my time away from the station was filled with angst, worry and hope.
Infertility is more common than you would think. About 12 percent of women ages 15 to 44 in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term. It's something many of us choose not to talk about openly.
For some of us our journey to motherhood is an extremely difficult one.
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Throughout the week both on-air and online Keitha will be sharing her personal journey in detail on Good Morning Jacksonville.