This was my end goal , I don't want any other couple to go through what we went through .

In 2019, over a cup of tea with my friend we chatted about fertility, little did I know how my life was going to change. She had recently gotten her fertility checked and urged me to do the same. I was 36 and hadn’t thought much about it, but I decided to get tested. That decision set me on a path I never expected.

The Diagnosis

By early 2020, I received devastating news. An endocrinologist  diagnosed me with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition responsible for my ovarian failure. This came as a shock, especially because I had never had regular periods, but I was always told that's just the way it was . The diagnosis left me feeling lost and helpless and we had no support and no where to go or anyone to turn to. I contacted every fertility clinic I could find, but the COVID-19 pandemic shut most of them down, leaving us with few options. Time was running out, and I was unsure how to move forward.

Determined to Find a Way Forward

Refusing to give up, I connected with others in similar situations, explored various treatments, and found a clinic in Prague, 'Gennet' that seemed like the best fit. In March 2021, during a strict lockdown, my partner and I made the difficult journey for our first round of IVF. The embryo transfer was painful and complicated, and two weeks later, I received a negative result. I had naively believed IVF would be a quick fix, but reality was far more complicated.

Taking Control of My Health

I needed more answers. After additional tests to rule out underlying issues, I turned to acupuncture to help heal my body. By July 2021, I made significant lifestyle changes—quitting my job, cutting out alcohol, exercising more, and starting new supplements. We returned for our second round of IVF, but the result was another negative.

At that point, I knew something wasn’t right. That’s when I found Dr. Lyuda, an who ran a series of immune and genetic tests and wanted to find the answers as much as I did. 

We discovered that my body was rejecting the embryos because my immune system was overactive, seeing them as foreign invaders. I underwent rounds of LIT therapy in London, where my partner’s white blood cells were injected into my body to help it accept pregnancy. The process was painful, but my body didn’t respond as we had hoped.

Continuing the Search for Solutions

Our search for answers and solutions took a toll on both my body and mind. In November 2022, we tried Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) rejuvenation on my uterine lining, hoping it would improve my chances. This was a last-ditch effort,  IVF was consuming our lives. But when we transferred our final two embryos in December 2022, everything felt different. The transfer was smooth, and for the first time, I felt a deep sense of certainty. I had come to terms with the fact that this might be our last chance,  I had done everything I could, and now I had to trust the process.

The Miracle

Back home,  my immune system was monitored closely, I had rounds of  Intralipid therapy .There were moments of panic, but Dr. Lyuda adjusted my treatments, and two weeks later, I saw the impossible: a positive pregnancy test. I couldn’t believe it. When Dr. Lyuda called with my HCG results, she said, "You are very, very pregnant." At our first scan, we were overwhelmed when we heard the news—triplets!

A Battle for Survival

My pregnancy was closely monitored at Rotunda Hospital, Dublin under Prof Malone. At 22 weeks, I developed  preeclampsia and had to be admitted for bed rest. Every hour of everyday mattered. I was scanned daily, and my babies were under constant observation. At 24 weeks, they had a chance. By 28 weeks, we were still holding on, but at 29 weeks, it was time to deliver. On June 8, my 40th birthday, my triplets—Fionn, Kevin, and Caelan—were born via  C-section. As I was wheeled into surgery, the hospital staff lined the halls, clapping and singing "Happy Birthday." It was an overwhelming, emotional moment.

The babies were rushed to the NICU, where they fought for their lives over the next 76 days. But they made it, and I finally had the family I had dreamed of.

A New Mission

My journey through IVF lasted three years, but it brought us the family I had always hoped for. No couple should feel as lost and alone as we did. Fertility struggles are emotionally and physically draining, and I know how important it is to have support. That’s why I created Coast to Coast Fertility, a platform to help others facing fertility challenges. I want to offer support, education, and hope to those who need it most.

Despite the heartache, the setbacks, and the seemingly endless challenges, we never gave up. Today, we’re blessed with our beautiful triplet boys, and I couldn’t be more grateful. But I know first hand how isolating and overwhelming the fertility journey can be, and I don’t want anyone to feel as lost or unsupported as I did. That’s why I’ve dedicated my time to becoming a Fertility Coach & Reproductive Health Support Specialist. My goal is to help couples navigate their own fertility journeys with the , knowledge, support, and  compassion I wish I’d had.

 I understand your pain, your fears, and your hopes because I’ve lived them. My mission is to guide you, give you hope, and help you optimise your chances of building the family you dream of. You don’t have to go through this alone—I'm here to help you every step of the way.

Ellen 

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