Ana Medic
Ana’s IVF Journey: From Loss to Hope After Years of Infertility
Ana’s journey began in 2015, when she met her husband and instantly felt that she had found the love of her life. They moved to Barcelona, full of excitement about starting their future together.
From the very beginning, they both dreamed of having children, and it felt like the natural next step for their growing love. But early fertility tests soon revealed challenges that would change the path of their lives.
The Shock of an Ectopic Pregnancy
Not long after moving, Ana fell pregnant naturally, which felt like a miracle after learning her FSH levels were high and her ovarian reserve was low. That joy was quickly shattered when doctors discovered the pregnancy was ectopic, developing outside the uterus.
The news was devastating, and surgery meant the loss of one fallopian tube.
At the same time, guilt weighed heavily on Ana, who questioned whether she had somehow caused this herself. This is a feeling many women sadly share after pregnancy loss.
Living With Hydrosalpinx and Losing Both Tubes
Later, Ana learned that her remaining tube was blocked due to a condition called hydrosalpinx. This created toxic fluid that not only prevented pregnancy but could also damage embryos.
Despite antibiotics and multiple attempts at IVF, she faced repeated failures. Within six months, Ana lost her second tube through surgery, leaving IVF as her only option.
The emotional weight of knowing natural conception was no longer possible was a difficult burden to carry.
Multiple IVF Cycles and Emotional Burnout
Between 2017 and 2019, Ana endured 10 IVF cycles across three different clinics, plus two natural cycles. Each attempt brought hope, followed by crushing disappointment when embryos failed to develop or transfers didn’t succeed.
The constant injections, egg collections and emotional rollercoaster began to take a toll. While her husband tried to stay strong, Ana often felt like she was running in circles, chasing a dream that seemed further away with each failed attempt.
Discovering Adenomyosis
A turning point came when a new doctor diagnosed Ana with adenomyosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. This discovery explained why so many of her embryo transfers had failed, despite seemingly healthy embryos.
For the first time, Ana felt seen by a doctor who connected the missing pieces of her story. Still, it was heartbreaking to think that years of failed cycles could have been avoided if the condition had been spotted earlier.
Turning to Functional Fertility and Lifestyle Changes
When the pandemic hit, Ana could no longer continue with medical treatments. Instead, she decided to take her health into her own hands.
She researched functional fertility approaches, focusing on diet, lifestyle, circulation and reducing toxins. She swapped plastics for glass, eliminated inflammatory foods and even embraced traditional practices like keeping her body warm and eating hot soups daily to improve blood flow.
With dedication and discipline, she tracked everything like supplements, exercise and stress levels because determined to give herself the best chance possible.
The Golden Embryo
After months of preparation, Ana returned to IVF and, for the first time, her efforts paid off. She produced several healthy embryos, including one that her doctor called a “golden embryo” because of its excellent quality.
This was the breakthrough she had been waiting for after years of loss and disappointment. Holding onto hope, Ana underwent treatment to manage her adenomyosis before transferring the embryo.
For the first time in seven years, she finally saw a positive pregnancy test.
A Complicated Pregnancy, But a Healthy Baby
Pregnancy brought new challenges. At her 12-week scan, doctors discovered that her baby was missing one kidney, and for weeks she lived in fear of losing the pregnancy she had fought so hard for.
After further testing, she learned that her baby was otherwise healthy and could live a full life with one kidney. In December 2022, Anna gave birth to her son, her miracle child, her rainbow baby, and the light at the end of her long journey.
From Patient to Guide
Having walked through seven years of infertility, IVF and loss, she now helps other couples navigate the world of IVF in Barcelona. She uses her personal experience, research and empathy to guide people through clinic choices, treatment questions, and the emotional toll of the process.
For Ana, this work is more than a job, it’s a calling, born out of her own struggles and her deep desire to ensure others don’t feel as lost or alone as she once did.
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