Focus on Success-April 2003

As her 35th birthday passed Valeria wondered if she'd ever get pregnant. She and Glenn "weren't really trying," but now she was starting to worry. They hadn't used birth control for over two years and they weren't pregnant. Time was passing by and age 40 wasn't that far away. Was there a problem with her? With Glenn? They wanted a baby. What should they do?

As luck would have it, Valeria met her "angel" -- Gayle Cameron -- in an MBA class in Tampa. Gayle who is an R.N. and IVF Coordinator at Florida Fertility Institute suggested to Valeria and Glenn that they have a fertility evaluation. The rest, as they say, is history.

Fertility Treatment Plan

At the initial consultation with Dr. Zbella, Valeria was immediately pleased. "He's very straight forward and doesn't waste your time." "That's right," says Glenn, "Dr. Zbella went straight to the point" and explained all the steps that would be taken as well as the options we would have. "We were ready to get started right away."

"We were especially happy," says Valeria "that all the exams and tests were in one place." "We didn't have to go to one place for tests, wait for transfer of records and then wait for results," explains Glenn. "We did everything right in the Florida Fertility Institute offices so we didn't have the anxiety of waiting for results -- we knew right away. I had a bad experience before going to Florida Fertility. I had my sperm tested and the sample was left out for two hours at the lab which resulted in giving us a false low read on its motility."

After testing Glenn's semen (which was fine) and Valeria's tubes (which were also fine), Valeria's first cycle was a "natural cycle" using Clomid, HCG and timed sexual relations with no other physician input. Valeria didn't get pregnant. So, for her second cycle her treatment procedure was modified to include Clomid, administration of hCG and intrauterine insemination (IUI), an in-office procedure, also known as "artificial insemination" that involved the physician placing Glenn's "washed" sperm into Valeria's uterus, with a small catheter through the cervix.

Results

After the first IUI procedure, "nothing happened," said Valeria. "I really wanted to rest, but you can't rest," she advises. "Even if you want a break, don't do it." The next insemination was a success. The couple became pregnant and delivered a beautiful, healthy little girl last July.

Future Plans

At age 37 and 41 respectively, Valeria and Glen want another child but know that as she approaches 40 "time is passing by." They plan to try for 4 or 5 months to get pregnant on their own. "If it doesn't happen by then, we'll go back to Florida Fertility Institute," Valeria vowed. "We were so impressed with the whole office. Everyone makes you feel welcome and they're there to help and give you information. The entire office runs so well and we never had to wait very long. Dr. Zbella is wonderful and Gayle is our Angel. I can't say anything but wonderful about them. They really are the fertility experts."

To view information on the experiences of other patients, click here.