March 4th, 2026 | 6 min. read
Nicole and Steven's path to parenthood included two failed IUI cycles, a mid-pandemic pivot to IVF, and an unexpected endometriosis diagnosis — but also six healthy embryos, two successful transfers, and two beautiful sons. This is their family's story.
In this article:
Meet Nicole & Steven
When high school sweethearts Nicole and Steven decided they were ready to grow their family, they never anticipated needing the help of fertility treatment.
Like many women of color, Nicole had grown up hearing that fertility struggles simply weren't something she needed to worry about. "I was always told by family members that we were naturally fertile and to just relax," she remembers.
"We waited until after we got married and had established careers before trying to conceive," Nicole says. But after one year of trying to conceive with no success, they knew something was wrong — and Nicole knew she would do whatever it took.
They expressed their concerns to Nicole's OB/GYN who then referred the couple to Illume Fertility for further evaluation.
The Next Challenge: Affording Treatment
While they were open to seeking help from a fertility specialist, Nicole and Steven worried that treatment would be out of their budget — a frustrating roadblock for many hopeful parents in need of fertility assistance.
Cost can sometimes feel like an insurmountable obstacle, but there is support available.
While some patients have insurance coverage to help defray the cost of fertility treatment, there are various options for those who do not, such as grants, special financing, and other programs.
Many organizations and medical professionals also work to increase access to fertility care, advocating for more inclusive legislation at both the state and national level.
Uncovering a Surprising Diagnosis
In January 2020, Nicole and Steven met with Dr. Spencer Richlin for the first time. After meeting with him, they made a plan to proceed with fertility testing and eventually began intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment.
What happened next was difficult for the couple, but they tried to remain optimistic.
"We attempted two rounds of IUI with no success, then the pandemic hit and made us rethink our strategy," Nicole says. "We were ready to be more aggressive with treatment, but took a few months to research how we could afford IVF treatment. We wanted to approach this next step with a positive mindset."
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Moving Forward with IVF
Nicole had her egg retrieval in November 2020, which resulted in the creation of six healthy embryos via in vitro fertilization (IVF).
"We chose to freeze our embryos instead of doing a fresh embryo transfer because one of my tests showed that I had a blocked fallopian tube," Nicole says. "I had a surgery in January 2021 to remove that fallopian tube, which ended up shedding light on a bigger issue."
During that surgery, both of Nicole's fallopian tubes were removed, and the findings from her procedure led to an unexpected diagnosis of endometriosis.
Though no one wants to hear they have endometriosis, it felt like a relief to finally have an explanation for why they had struggled to conceive. "I felt like I actually had an answer for the first time in years," Nicole says.
Photo credit: Tammara Jade Photography
A Dream Come True
After her surgery, Nicole focused on letting her body rest and recover before they moved ahead with their first frozen embryo transfer in March 2021. "That two-week wait was the longest of my life, but then we got the call that changed our lives forever," she says.
"Being told we were finally pregnant and seeing that little heartbeat flicker for the first time on ultrasound was so incredible," Nicole remembers. And while pregnancy after infertility can be both exciting and challenging for many fertility patients, getting to hold that long-awaited baby in your arms is always worth it.
Their son Alexander was born in December 2021, and the couple was overjoyed to finally become parents after so long.
The Emotional Impact of Infertility
When she looks back at their journey, Nicole remembers feeling incredibly isolated as she and Steven navigated how to share what they were going through.
"I wasn't intimidated by the actual fertility treatment process, but did feel a need to keep things private, only sharing details of our journey with a few trusted friends and family members," Nicole says. "Having that small support system definitely helped!"
She also focused on self care, regularly doing yoga and connecting with friends and family.
Tips for Fellow Fertility Patients
"Trust your doctors and do everything in your power to protect your peace," Nicole advises. "Whether that be speaking openly with your support system or choosing to stay private about your journey."
She also suggests finding something outside of the fertility world that brings you joy and keeps you grounded: "I like to sing, so I always found at least ten minutes a day to sing it out as loud as I needed!"
Photo credit: MW Photography
Where are they now?
In June 2024, Nicole and Steven welcomed their second son, Jordan — this time with a little help from their remaining frozen embryos. Big brother Alexander was thrilled to step into his new role.
Today, the family of four is thriving, and their journey from uncertainty to a full, growing family is a testament to the power of persistence, self-advocacy, and the right medical team.
You Deserve Exceptional Care
Every fertility journey is unique.
Exploring tools like acupuncture, therapy, and yoga — or adding fun distractions like new hobbies or passion projects — can make a real difference. Try different things until you find what works for you.
At Illume Fertility, all of our patients have access to our Integrated Fertility & Wellness (IFW) (IFW) program, which offers many different forms of support, including nutrition counseling, support groups, and more.
Read more inspiring Illume success stories or reach out to take your first step today!
Considering IVF treatment?
Learn about costs, how long an IVF cycle takes, and how this treatment method can help you.