Lauren and Candace, a same-sex female couple, came to Carolina Conceptions in 2021 to grow their family through reciprocal in vitro fertilization (IVF). Reciprocal IVF allows both females to be involved in the pregnancy, with one mother providing eggs that are fertilized with donor sperm and the other mother carrying the pregnancy.

Lauren and Candace said their journey was not easy, but they leaned on each other for support through highs and lows. The couple planned for a biological family for nine years, and their dedication paid off.

“We would love to share our story to encourage those couples who think it is just not possible to create a family,” Lauren said. “It is possible. It’s incredibly hard, and incredibly possible.”

Hope for a Biological Family

Lauren knew early on that she wanted a biological family. In 2020, she became pregnant through intrauterine insemination (IUI) at Carolina Conceptions with their daughter Nyah.

Although Lauren found the pregnancy physically manageable, both she and Candace found it mentally difficult. From job changes to social isolation, the pandemic brought challenges throughout the pregnancy.

After Nyah was born and Lauren and Candace felt ready for their second child, they returned to Carolina Conceptions in Wilmington.

Beginning Reciprocal IVF Treatment

After a consultation with Dr. Bill Meyer, the couple chose to move forward with reciprocal IVF using donor sperm. Lauren would carry a healthy embryo made with Candace’s eggs, fertilized by the same donor as Nyah. 

“One of the things that we really, really liked about Dr. Meyer was that he was really quite frank and honest about the possibilities,” Candace said. “He didn’t sugarcoat things, and that was important to us because we didn’t want any false hope. We wanted a realistic picture of the possibilities, and he really provided that for us.” 

Candace had her egg retrieval in December 2021. Lauren went through three embryo transfers, which became chemical pregnancies (early miscarriages), and a hysteroscopy in the following months. 

For the fourth embryo transfer, Dr. Meyer suggested an unmedicated cycle. This transfer would be the couple’s final attempt — and Lauren became successfully pregnant. 

“I was really quite nervous and quite scared,” Candace said about the pregnancy. “But the day that Willow was born, I could finally take a deep breath. I was the happiest person in the world.” 

‘The Family We Always Dreamed Of’

Lauren delivered their daughter Willow in June 2023. Candace loved being involved with the birth, by supporting Lauren and catching Willow. 

“I remember as soon as she caught Willow, she was so excited and she went to hold Willow up,” Lauren said with laughter. “And I remember the doctor and nurses being like, ‘Whoa no, she’s still attached!’” 

The couple is now learning life with a baby and a toddler, putting in effort each day to support their family well. Lauren and Candace said they adore Nyah and Willow more than anything else, and they are the happiest people because of their daughters. 

“The experience with Carolina Conceptions was just phenomenal overall,” Candace said. “We have everything to thank for where we’re at now.”