Leticia tells us her story: » I can, I want, I´m deserving»
Christmas is just around the corner and at URE Centro Gutenberg we would like to celebrate it the best way we know how so that all of you who are dreaming about and struggling to become a parent can relate to this story and say: «I CAN, I WANT, I’M DESERVING».
Thank you so very much to Leticia and Alba, two mums whose story we have the pleasure of sharing today in our Real Stories section. It’s a wonderful, motivating story about their fight, and during a global pandemic!
Here’s their story!
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We’re Leticia and Alba and this is our story. It means confronting thousands of emotions coursing through our bodies as we think back on so many wonderful moments. And then some other moments that were not so wonderful, but with optimism and enthusiasm you can overcome anything.
It will be best if we start from the beginning.
Endometriosis
Our story starts in 2014. After a long summer of fear and uncertainty, our love story began. From the beginning we knew we wanted to become mothers even despite our young age at the time. Our minds travelled in time, thinking about a future and a life that felt complete with a little one, but we would obviously have to wait.
That same year, ‑and that’s why I want to start at the beginning‑, a very painful lump appeared on my groin. After seeing several gynaecologists I still didn’t have a clear diagnosis and we only knew that it wasn’t dangerous, so we let it go.
Three years later the pain had become unbearable and I had to undergo surgery; once they had removed the lump they were able to confirm it was endometriosis (Discover what endometriosis is). At this point we started feeling quite scared as we had always heard that endometriosis makes is impossible, or at least much more difficult, to become a mother.
So we went to our family doctor and told them about our problem. We wanted to become mothers but we knew that the odds were against us. Straight away the doctor said I didn’t qualify for any of the treatments offered by the Spanish public healthcare system, so that’s when we decided to look for a private clinic.
During an internet search we came across Centro Gutenberg and decided to go there based on all the positive reviews they had. We went to our first appointment and were treated wonderfully. We underwent a general check-up and received information about the different types of treatments available for becoming mothers.
They also told us that we should be married (protocol for the Spanish government), so that we could both become mothers and avoid any issues when it came time to registering the baby’s birth. So we didn’t start treatment right away. We wanted to do things the right way.
We got married in 2019. It was an important step in our lives and a declaration of our love. It was a dream we shared.
That same year, in September, we decided to start assisted reproduction treatment.
How is Endometriosis addressed
Before starting treatment, Doctor Álvarez ordered several tests to see how far my endometriosis had advanced. Once all my results had been reviewed we decided to try artificial insemination. After three unsuccessful cycles, frustration takes over your body and sadness sets in, but we knew we weren’t going to let this condition bring us down, so we made the decision to try in vitro fertilisation.
Right in the middle of the ovarian stimulation process with all the contraceptive pills, shots in the belly, fear and uncertainty… a global pandemic broke out. We were a bit unlucky to be honest, but the staff at the clinic were there for us the entire time. And, even though we were on lockdown, we were able to undergo the egg collection procedure (what is the egg retrieval) and it was a success. As all embryo transfers in Spain had to be postponed at the time, the laboratory had to cryopreserve all our embryos which were graded A and B until things had calmed down a bit.
In that instant, something awakens inside you when you’re told that everything has gone well and that you have embryos. We felt an explosion of happiness and a sigh of relief once we learned that things would go right this time.
In June, when the clinic reopened, we were able to undergo the embryo transfer. That moment is magical, unforgettable and extremely exciting, and the only thing that beat it was seeing those two wonderful lines indicating a positive pregnancy test a few days later (a few days that felt like an eternity). After that, there’s nothing like witnessing the birth of your child, seeing their face for the first time and having your life instantly filled with a love like no other: a love that is unconditional and complete.
Our advice is to remain as calm as possible at all times; it’s very important to keep a level head and to take meditated steps in the right direction. Once you’re convinced you’re doing what’s right for you, nothing will stop you from truly believing I CAN, I WANT, I’M DESERVING.
It’s normal to feel scared and uncertain, but let the wonderful team at Centro Gutenberg guide you – they know what to do at all times.
And above all else, be happy. Before you know it you’ll be a family, and there’s nothing like it.
Did you enjoy this story? We hope to tell yours some day! And that’s why we need to start at the very beginning. Request your cost-free consultation with us and we’ll make your dream into a reality.
