WE WERE THE WINNERS OF THIS JOURNEY
Everyone has a dream. For Ms. Melek, her greatest wish was to have a baby. During their 9-year marriage, our family went through long and exhausting treatment processes and struggled greatly to reunite with their child. They always supported each other throughout this journey. The Bozkurt couple, who eagerly awaited the day they would hold their son Can in their arms, achieved their dream with İrenbe. Let’s listen to this successful story from our mother, Ms. Melek…
Can we get to know you better?
My name is Melek Bozkurt. I am 33 years old. I work in the accounting department in the private sector. For the past 2 years, due to the pandemic, I have been at home. We spend time together with Can.
How did your journey to motherhood begin? When did you decide to become a mother?
We decided to become parents two years after getting married. Since I had undergone an ovarian surgery at the age of 15, we first wanted to start with check-ups. Meanwhile, we had friends who had a baby under the supervision of Dr. Refik. We heard about your center from them and made an appointment to meet you. After examining me, Dr. Refik said that I had an endometrioma (chocolate cyst), but that it would not prevent us from having a baby. In Manisa, insemination was performed twice in a private hospital, pregnancy was achieved, but it resulted in a chemical pregnancy. After waiting 4–5 months, we started IVF treatment. IVF was performed twice, but we did not get results. During a break period, I became pregnant naturally, but unfortunately, we lost the baby in the 7th week.
What was the reason for the unsuccessful results?
We were constantly under check-ups. Doctors said there was no problem preventing me from getting pregnant, but the cause could not be identified. This process lasted for 4 years. It is easy to tell, but it was a long and exhausting wait. In 2018, we came back to İrenbe. We started treatment again. Due to my age, my doctor transferred a single embryo, but it resulted in an ectopic pregnancy. During this period, Dr. Refik suggested that we rest for a while.
We had frozen embryos at İrenbe. When we felt ready, we planned to return for a frozen embryo transfer.
Having frozen embryos must have made you feel more comfortable, right?
Absolutely. But after experiencing consecutive negative results, I started to think that frozen embryos were not as effective as fresh ones.
Honestly, we had no hope at all. When we came for the second frozen embryo transfer, we had a conversation with our doctor.
He said there was no problem with either the embryos or us. He thought there might be an issue with my immune system — that my body was rejecting the embryo. He explained that we would start a serum treatment. We began the treatment one month before the transfer. Every 10 days, I was admitted to the hospital and received that serum. After one month, my doctor said I was ready and the transfer could be done. The transfer took place, and I continued receiving that serum until the 4th month of my pregnancy.
How did you find out you were pregnant? What happened afterward?
11 days after the transfer, they asked me to come to the center for a test. But my husband and I couldn’t wait 11 days. On the 9th day, I had a blood test at a private center in Manisa. Then we sat somewhere and ate something while waiting for the result. When we checked the system, the Beta HCG result was out. The result was higher than ever before. My value was 252. I will never forget that day. I told my husband, “Yes, I’m sure, I’m pregnant.”
After that, we cried a lot. Everyone around us was watching. Then we immediately sent the result to our doctor. Dr. Refik said the value was good but that I should take another test two days later. Two days later, we tested again, and the value had doubled. One week later, when we came for an examination, we saw on the ultrasound that it was twins.
Meanwhile, the serum treatment continued. At the 7th week, we learned that one of the babies’ hearts had stopped. I can talk about it easily now, but that day was very difficult. After that, I spent my pregnancy mostly between the hospital and home.
At the 26th week, I had bleeding and was very worried. We immediately came to İrenbe, and after the examination, we were told there was no problem and that I should not worry. I just needed more rest. Another time, at the 33rd week, I had some pain at night. The next morning, when I spoke with Dr. Refik on the phone, he told me to come immediately. After the NST, they said I had some contractions and started my medical leave. I rested from the 30th week onward. At the 40th week, our baby was born.
Can you tell us about your birth process?
When we reached the 40th week, we met with Dr. Refik and set the birth date. We wanted it to be 20.01.2020, and Dr. Refik arranged it with the hospital. On the day of the birth, when we arrived at the hospital, he was waiting for us at the door of the operating room. First, we hugged and cried a little. When I entered, the whole team was there. I had a very beautiful birth experience.
When I felt ready and calm, they started the delivery.
What did you feel when you held your baby?
It is an indescribable moment, an indescribable scent, very different emotions. We struggled a lot, but we received our reward. I hope everyone who wishes for a child will have one. It is a moment that is hard to describe — intense emotions and a wonderful scent.
Finally, what would you like to say to parents who are going through a similar process?
They should never lose their hope. They should trust that they are with the right hospital and the right doctor. Patience and trust are very important in this process. They must be sure they are in the right place, but they should never give up after negative results. They should not quit the treatment and should continue this struggle until the end.
Our Story / Melek Bozkurt
Interview: Gamze Kaçar