Hello, let me introduce myself first..
For the first 30 years of my life, everything was smooth and worry-free. I was my parents’ most beloved child, found my true love in college, and happily married him after graduation.
At work, I was my boss’s most valued employee. Whenever I was in charge of a project, colleagues would inevitably say, “Oh, then I’m totally at ease.” I was constantly named “Employee of the Year,” with generous bonuses every year.
Later, I started my own business. Within just three months, I had broken into the market and started making money. By the fifth month, I was earning twice my previous salary. Growth was steady month after month. Right when the business needed more hands, I serendipitously met an amazing partner, and the company reached a whole new level.
Really, it seemed like at every step, whatever I needed, a pair of hands would always place it right in front of me, just in time.
My Two Girls: Ellie & Mia
Meet Ellie, My Firstborn
In 2020, my husband and I decided to have a child. After trying for over a year, we finally got the news in 2021 that a little one was on the way. In 2022, we welcomed our first child, Ellie. She made me a mother.
She is utterly adorable—big eyes, rosy skin, chubby little hands. Every time I look at her, I can’t help but give her a kiss. She is pure joy, and I love her more each day.
But as a first-time mom, I faced unprecedented difficulties. The postpartum tearing wouldn’t heal, and the pain was excruciating. Clogged milk ducts made my breasts hard as rocks. The severe sleep deprivation… And what was even more crushing was that, with zero parenting experience, I was clueless when faced with her unexplained wailing, night terrors, refusal to nurse, constipation, diarrhea, fevers… I desperately searched online, longing for one accurate, truly useful answer!
It was during this time that I thought, once I make it through this “dark” path, I must leave a light on for other new moms.
And Then Came Mia
Ellie had just turned one when I got pregnant again. In 2024, we welcomed our second daughter, Mia.
Completely different from Ellie, Mia is a great eater and sleeper. Although she had her fussy moments in the first two months, starting almost from month three, she became super easygoing. She feeds on schedule, gradually sleeps through the night, loves her solid foods, and adapted quickly when I had to stop breastfeeding due to mastitis.
This made me realize just how vastly different babies can be! It made me even more determined to write about my experiences.
Why I Had to Start This Blog
The Catalyst: A Life Pivoted
After Mia was born, my business also began to decline sharply. I had no choice but to close it and become a full-time mom. My work no longer involves Excel and Word, but instead revolves around changing diapers, washing bottles, making baby food, and managing household chores…
This has been a monumental challenge for me. All my past achievements seem irrelevant now. Managing two young children has brought me a sense of frustration I’ve never known before.
The Daily Reality
They are always fighting over things. When one is in my arms, the other immediately demands to be held too. When I try to cook, Ellie wants me to read her a book. When I attempt to load the washing machine, Mia has a diaper blowout, and I must drop everything to change her…
By the time I finish all that, I see the cup of hot coffee on the table has gone cold again. And it’s not until evening that I remember, “Oh my goodness, the clothes are still in the hamper, unwashed!”
Of course, being a mom is filled with happiness, but that doesn’t negate how hard it is.
My Promise to You
Because I’ve walked this path myself, I won’t just tell you how joyful motherhood is, like many websites do. I want to share my real, unfiltered experiences so every new mom can find a “companion” here.
I want to tell you: you are not alone. What you’re going through, I’ve been there too. Your breakdowns, your helplessness, your moments of losing control—I’ve had them all. You don’t need to feel guilty. This is just a small, necessary stretch of the journey for every mom.
My Hope for This Space
I really want to share my parenting experiences—not just the warm, glowing moments, but to honestly document the pitfalls I’ve stumbled into, the tears I’ve shed, and the “survival wisdom” I’ve scraped together in utter exhaustion.
The Goal: A Mom’s Toolkit
I hope this blog becomes a “mom’s toolkit,” filled not with vague theories, but with:
- Practical Tips: Like how to quickly figure out why a baby is crying, tried-and-true methods for dealing with clogged ducts, or how to efficiently manage the daily grind with twins (or two under two) solo.
- Pitfall Avoidance Guides: Sharing the baby products I regret buying the most, and those “game-changer” parenting hacks. Letting you know which parenting anxieties you can let go of, and which principles are worth holding onto.
- A Community for Moms: I hope my stories connect me with more moms like you. We can cheer each other on in the comments, share our own tricks, turning the storms we face alone into a journey we walk together.
The Bigger Vision
My previous career taught me to analyze data, solve problems, and optimize processes. Now, I’m applying all those skills to this new “position” of Mom. I want to prove that a mom’s value is absolutely not confined to the home. The mindset, resilience, and creativity we built in our careers can shine just as brightly—perhaps even brighter—in this more complex, long-term “project” of raising humans, and can even be transformed into a force that helps others.
My hope is simple: that every mom who opens this blog can let out a sigh of relief and say, “So it’s not just me.” Then, she can find a bit of practical info, a dose of comforting solidarity, and return to her sweet, chaotic mom-life with a little more confidence and a little less weight on her shoulders.
This road? Let’s walk it together.
dionnewedding
member
Re: Fertility Institute of New Orleans
I'm currently seeing Dr Sauter. She has been absolutely amazing. I'm not sure if you have had your 1st appt yet so I will run down how my experience has been.
The 1st appt was a consultation the last week of May.I sat with the nurse, then Dr, and went over all my paperwork medical history. I had 6 months of FF charts that she reviewed. She did bloodwork to test for all the basics Thyroid, vitamin D something else.
My second appt I did an ultrasound additional blood work based on results she scheduled an HSG SA for hubby in June. And I'm already starting my 1st monitored Clomid cycle this week.
They definitely dont play around :. I actually wanted to take things slower try a few more cycles naturally but once my original results came in she was very straightforward suggested starting medicated cycles now since my chances of conceiving naturally are slim.
Oh and last thingthey have been great about trying to get as much covered by mh insurance at possible which has helped alot....starting this week its all OOP!
Feel free to ask any questions!
I had my first appointment with Dr. Sartor as well. She seemed really good. It's funny how casual she talked about some things. I was told if when they did some test and didn't see enough swimmers, then she'd just "squirt" some more up there. Haha, I've never heard IUI quite explained that way. I did have some blood work but I don't remember for what exactly. It was kind of like information overload so I didn't catch everything.
My husband already did a SA and so she recommended an oral medication along with injectables for me for this cycle. I'm supposed to call them on CD1 so I guess it's just a waiting game for Mother Nature to get the ball rolling.
That's great that they try their best to run as much through the insurance. I'm glad they don't play around.
So what days do you go to have ultrasounds/monitoring?
Good luck and best wishes to you!!
I'm a Sartor success story, twice over. Went to see her when I was 38, and based on my diagnosis of a blocked fallopian tube, she recommended going straight to IVF. I followed all her advice and adhered strictly to my cycling protocol (literally told her I was doing everything I could, and she had to do everything she could), on top of losing 25 lbs before cycling, and was successful with IVF #1.
At my last visit with that pregnancy, I asked her when to start on #2, due to my age, and she said before I turned 40 (I turned 39 in March 2012 and gave birth early June that year), so I was back in her office to get the ball rolling a few months later, and by November, we were successful on the first try with IVF again (slightly modified protocol due to my increased age).
If you get to work with Mary, she is the best nurse there (they are all pretty nice and helpful though), and I really loved working with her. Your monitoring schedule will depend on your cycle. You'll starting going in a certain number of days after starting meds, and then they'll decide how often to go after that based on what they see at each appt.
It's a little overwhelming and nerve-wracking at first, but the cycle will be over before you know it. My main words of advice are to really follow whatever she tells you. I know a former patient of Dr. Sartor's, who was eventually successful after MANY attempts, and that was her big take-home advice to me. She said every time she doubted or ignored Sartor, she later realized Sartor was right and she should have listened to her.
That's not to say you shouldn't ask questions. I always did and she always listened and we would discuss pros and cons and leave it up to me. But overall, I really feel like this woman knows her stuff. Good luck to you!
IVF #1: 9/11: ER: 12R, 11M, 10F, No Frosties; 5dt: 2 blasts, 1 morula; DD born 6/3/12
IVF #2: 11/12-12/12: ER: 20R, 20M, 16F, 4 Frosties; 5dt: 3 blasts, DS born 8/9/13
Thanks for the advice nawlinsgirl! It is great to hear a success story from Dr. Sartor.
Thelamberts2007, good luck!! Sending lots of good wishes and prayers your way.
My cycle this month was unfortunately put on hold due to my genetic test. I am carrier of a "severe" deficiency so my husband had to get tested as well. It really isn't anything that affects quality of life but has to do with the lack of breaking down an ingredient in some anesthesia. It causes issues with breathing when trying to come out of it. Seems like something to just be aware of, but I'll put my trust in Dr. Sartor. Hopefully all goes well and we can start in August!
Be prepared to feel as if they are herding cattle over there. Bottom line though.... their numbers are really really good. I see Dr. Lu and sometimes you don't understand him (because he is so smart). He is more of a "numbers man" which is hard for me bc for the first time I don't understand a lot and my hubby does. He literally talks with percentages and I just feel lost, but I'm sticking with him bc I've heard he is the best.
My number one bit of advice I will give is to advocate for yourself. Be blunt. Say exactly what you want. Be informed about the different procedures before consult. This journey is so expensive. Get a journal and write your questions down you will have many and you talk mostly to nurses who go back to the doctor than call you back with the answer. It can be frustrating.
My advice is stick with one doctor you feel comfortable with. Sartor is more direct less emotional, Lu is more sensitive although he will be straight up with you. Also, become friends w/ the nurses. They are who you communicate with 85% of time. I love Mary (although I'm biased b/c she is a friend of mines mother), but Ashley is great too! Good luck. IVF if you have to go there is sooo overwhelming. Feel free to ask questions!
All Welcome
Me: 29 DH: 30
IF DX Endo Stage III/IV SA: PERFECT!
7/16/2011 Married handsome hubby!
9/2012 Lap/Hystercopy DX w/ Stage III endo
Bilaterial Uterine Suspension/D&C/HSG
HCG/D&D on R/L ovaries/chromaltubation/Uterine Polyp
10/2012 RE consult. DX move straight to IVF
IVF #1 11/27/2012
IVF #1 Cancelled for Low Response and Converted to IUI #1 --- BFN
IVF #1.2 BCP 12/29 Stims 1/21 w/ New Protocol - Antongonist (225 Menopur, 150 Follistim, & Ganirelix)
ER 2/2/13 11R,9M,8F -- ET 2/7/13 2 Beautiful Perfect Blasts/5 made it Freeze! -- 2/12/12 +HPT -- 2/14/13 Beta #1 71 -- 2/18/2013 Beta #2 521 YAY! Let this be our take home baby!
4/21/13 Massive Hemorrhage from unDX placenta previa. Bed Rest for 7 months.
10/17/13 Gave Birth to our 8lb 2oz baby boy!
8/30/15 Started Meds for FET schedule on 10/13/15
10/13/15 TX two great blasts. Beta scheduled for 10/22/15
Good luck the 2ww. That was the worst! I finished my 1st cycle with Dr Sartor a while back and am happy to report I'm 6.5 weeks pregnant & we saw the heartbeat yesterday. I will be released from FINO after my appt at the end of next week if all goes well. All I can say is just listen to Dr Sartor she really does know what she is doing & did everything under the sun to make cycle 1 work!
TTC #1
IVF #2 w ICSI-6/21/11 ER, 4 Eggs, 2 Fertilized, 6/24/11 3 day ET 2 embryos- Beta 7/5/11- BFN- No frosties.
NEW RE
IUI #1- started 50ius of follistim 1/25, IUI 2/3/12 - BFN
AMH-0.73- DOR 2/2012
IUI #2- 3/17/12 started 200ius of Follistim , 3/24/12 added ganirelix, 225ius Follistim and 75ius of repronex, IUI- 3/30/12, Beta April 13, 2012-BFN
Appointment with Dr. Schoolcraft at CCRM July 18, 2012
WAITING ON A MIRACLE AT THIS POINT
AMH tested again 1/2013- 1.4!!!!
IUI #3- 1/14/13 started 200ius of Follistim, 1/20/13 added menopur and ganirelix, IUI 1/25/13. Positive HPT 2/6/13- Beta #1- 193- BFP!!! 2/8/13-Beta#2-426.6
2/26 ultrasound #1- TWINS!
Delivered a healthy beautiful baby boy on 10/17/13 10ls. 2 ounces
IUI #4 cancelled due to only one egg responding
PAIF or SAIF Welcome
IVF #1: 9/11: ER: 12R, 11M, 10F, No Frosties; 5dt: 2 blasts, 1 morula; DD born 6/3/12
IVF #2: 11/12-12/12: ER: 20R, 20M, 16F, 4 Frosties; 5dt: 3 blasts, DS born 8/9/13
I unfortunately went to FINO (Dr Taylor) and Audubon (Wells). I think the staff at FINO is great but I didn't feel like me treatment was personalized. I also saw Dr Wells and had an absolutely horrible experience (who also told me to use donor eggs).
I am now 7 weeks pregnant with twins and have 2 chromosomally normal eggs frozen. I went to Houston Fertility Institute (HFI--Dr Witz) for this cycle. The experience has been night and day! Really truly amazing. I do my monitoring at FINO. I would recommend checking SART for statistics. Also, look into taking the CCRM cocktail of supplements for 3 months before IVF (of course ask whoever you chose for your doctor). And definitely try Accupuncture-at the very least it may help your sanity
Good Luck!!!
(I don't usually post on this board, but I'm very active on the IF board. I wandered over today and saw this post & had to comment!)
At any rate, I always hear amazing things about the docs there and will always have a special place in my heart for them:) good luck!