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Courtney Reagan Baker’s Journey Through Infertility and Motherhood

Courtney Reagan Baker, a Senior Retail Reporter for CNBC, expresses a sense of fulfillment and completeness as a mother to her three children: Jack, age 4, Reagan, age 2, and Ella, just 7 months old. However, Baker’s path to motherhood was far from straightforward and spanned nearly a decade with significant challenges along the way.

“I’ve been apprehensive about sharing my story,” Baker confessed in a recent interview. “I’m in front of the camera daily, yet discussing this deeply personal chapter of my life is different.” At the age of 32, she and her husband, Jared Baker, set out on their journey to start a family.

Initially, the couple pursued natural conception for about a year before seeking medical assistance. During their early fertility clinic visits, confusion arose regarding the condition of Baker’s uterus, as different tests yielded conflicting results. After several assessments, they ultimately confirmed that she did have a normal uterus.

Exploring Options: IUI and IVF

The couple then embarked on four cycles of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). While Baker became pregnant twice, both pregnancies ended in early miscarriages. This prompted a transition to in vitro fertilization (IVF), which offered clearer insights into what the doctors needed to monitor.

Baker learned that her body had the ability to release quality eggs but struggled to develop a sufficient uterine lining for embryo implantation. This resulted in a challenging situation where her body could not sustain the pregnancies, a relatively uncommon issue in the realm of infertility. Over several years, she exhausted numerous remedies, incorporating up to 14 supplements daily, acupuncture, and various dietary changes, all in pursuit of a solution.

“We tried everything,” Baker recounted. Despite her best efforts, the root of her infertility remained elusive, leading the couple deeper into the IVF process, with a focus on ensuring her uterine lining was suitable for embryo transfer. Unfortunately, this meant several cycles had to be canceled, leading to numerous attempts before successfully transferring any embryos.

The Path to Surrogacy

As they grappled with their infertility, Baker and Jared also faced the financial strain of treatment. After exhausting all options, they began considering adoption or surrogacy. They were fortunate to already have several embryos available, effectively placing them “halfway” into the surrogacy process.

Initially, Baker kept their struggles private, disclosing their journey only when Jared’s sister, a NICU nurse, sensed something was amiss. This revelation connected them with a potential surrogate, Stephanie, a childhood friend of Jared’s. While secrecy prevailed, their plans progressed until the pandemic complicated things further.

In March 2020, as Stephanie reached her third trimester, she developed severe preeclampsia. Baker and Jared faced the uncertainty of being geographically distant from Stephanie during this critical time, which added to the stress of their situation.

Ultimately, they encountered a turning point when Stephanie was airlifted to a hospital capable of handling her condition. With anxious hearts, Baker and Jared drove to Illinois to be close by, ready for the moment their lives would change forever.

Welcoming Their First Child

On the brink of their son Jack’s arrival, Baker and Jared were finally able to join Stephanie in the hospital after her arduous labor. Jack was born in July 2020, and despite a prolonged NICU stay, he emerged healthy, marking a significant milestone in the couple’s journey.

With the joy of parenthood came the desire for another child, leading them to begin the surrogacy process anew a year and a half later. This time, they found another gestational carrier in Baker’s hometown, strategically moving closer to the hospital for the anticipated birth of their second child, Reagan.

However, the birth did not go as planned; Reagan arrived unexpectedly on the bathroom floor just before they could reach the hospital. The humor in the situation provided a moment of levity amid their complex journey.

After Reagan’s birth, Baker’s fertility doctor introduced her to a new treatment called Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). Although one PRP cycle yielded positive changes, she faced another heartbreaking miscarriage. Not to be deterred, Baker decided to try one more embryo transfer, feeling strongly that it would be their last attempt due to the emotional toll of repeated losses.

Completing the Family

In September 2023, Baker received the news she had eagerly hoped for: she was pregnant. The experience of feeling her baby kick filled her with joy and a sense of accomplishment that brought tears to her eyes.

However, the trials were not over. In a twist of fate, Baker also developed severe preeclampsia during her pregnancy. Drawing on her past experiences with Stephanie, she understood the gravity of her condition. Ultimately, she welcomed her daughter Ella via C-section in June 2024, completing their family of five.

Reflecting on her remarkable eight-year journey, Baker described it as the most challenging and rewarding experience of her life. Her determination drove her through countless hurdles, from administering injections in unlikely places to the emotional toll of loss. Despite the overwhelming obstacles, she wants others facing similar struggles to hold onto hope, believing that the desire to become a parent is within reach for anyone willing to persevere.

Source
people.com