My journey to motherhood: from Italy to Greece

For many women, motherhood is an exciting and rewarding experience. But for some, it is an arduous and sometimes heartbreaking journey. This is the story of a woman from Italy, who faced a difficult road to becoming a mother - one that could not be resolved with the therapies available in her own country, but instead required the help of the experts at EmBIO Clinic. Here, she shares her story of determination, resilience, and ultimately, success:

Roberta’s journey to motherhood

As a woman from Italy, I never thought I would ever have to go through the emotional rollercoaster of infertility. After many years of trying to conceive with several cycles of assisted reproduction treatment in Italy, I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never become a mother. That was until I came across EmBIO Center in Greece. After researching their IVF treatments, I decided to take a leap of faith and give it a try. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of a remarkable journey toward motherhood.

I was diagnosed with infertility at the age of 29

When I was informed of my diagnosis, it came as a shock to me; I was completely disoriented and so overwhelmed, so I wept a lot. At 29, I hadn't given much thought to having children, yet I felt frustrated that this decision had been taken away from me. We often take the ability to conceive for granted and assume it will come easily when we desire it. But when this expectation is shattered, it can be devastating. It was a difficult period for me.

The dreadful news consumed me and became my sole focus. I questioned, "Why me?" on multiple occasions. Marco, my partner, tried to lift my spirits, yet my disposition remained unchanged for several months.

How I managed to get out of depression

I overcame depression by taking small daily steps to improve my mental health. I started by focusing on the positive things in my life, practicing relaxation techniques, and speaking to a mental health professional for guidance and support. I also made lifestyle changes such as exercising more, eating healthier, and getting enough sleep. With time and effort, I was able to gain a better understanding of my depression and how to manage it.

One year later, Marco's reassurances that nothing was truly gone, started to take effect on me. I attained a sense of tranquility regarding infertility, positive that there was a Plan B if I desired to become a mother, and willing to accept whatever the universe had in store for me in the future.

Assisted reproduction therapy in Italy

I started assisted reproductive therapy in Italy in 2016. My experience was great! The team at the clinic was very supportive and helpful. Unfortunately, after 5 failed cycles, it was apparent I was unable to conceive.

My doctor suggested that I should consider egg donation as the most promising treatment for my case. It was another shock for me to have to resort to another woman's eggs to stay pregnant.

The use of frozen oocytes is the most widespread technique in Italy. Assisted reproduction clinics usually have collaborations with foreign clinics, mainly from Spain due to the difficulty of obtaining fresh oocytes. However, after many hours of research, I found that IVF treatments with fresh eggs have better outcomes.

Trying egg donation abroad

I began engaging with other women in IVF discussion forums and soon discovered stories of successful treatments outside of my country. The EmBIO clinic in Greece has been widely praised, with enough positive comments being made about it. I reached out to them to investigate the possibilities of IVF with egg donation. They were incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, and I found myself excited to begin my treatment there.

After some standard tests, Marco and I traveled to Greece, and within a few days, we had the embryo transfer. Now, I'm in my third month of pregnancy and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of our baby boy. I found EmBIO clinic to be extremely accommodating and I'm incredibly grateful to Elena and Dr. Paraschos for all their help and support.

Roberta
Italy