Lauren lives in Utah with her husband and children. She is a member of the Wellnest Patient Advisory Board (PAB).
For Lauren Myers and her husband, the decision to start a family began during a time of global uncertainty. It was July 2020, and the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many couples, the extended lockdowns provided them the opportunity to talk about their future, their dreams, and the family they envisioned building together. "We had both hoped to start a family one day, but didn’t really have a particular plan in place," Lauren recalls. The pandemic gave them the push they needed to start planning their future. As their friends announced pregnancies and welcomed babies, Lauren and her husband felt certain that their time would come soon.
However, months of trying turned into a year without any success. Concerned and uncertain about what was wrong, they decided to seek help from a fertility specialist. But in Northern California, where they lived at the time, COVID-19 restrictions had caused significant backlogs in fertility clinics. Their first intake appointment wouldn’t be for another six months. During this waiting period, Lauren unexpectedly became pregnant, filling the couple with joy and cautious optimism. Unfortunately, their excitement was short-lived. At their first ultrasound, the doctor delivered heartbreaking news: they had experienced a missed miscarriage.
The grief of their loss was compounded by the unknowns surrounding their fertility. As the months passed, Lauren and her husband grieved their miscarriage and began fertility testing. After a series of ultrasounds, HSGs (hysterosalpingograms), and blood work, Lauren was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). While the diagnosis explained the challenges she had been facing, it was still difficult to accept. "The diagnosis was a difficult one to discover, but it began to put together some of the pieces of the health symptoms I had been experiencing," she explains.
PCOS, though not curable, can be managed with lifestyle changes and fertility treatments. Lauren took charge of her health, diving into research and learning about the treatment options available to her. She felt empowered by the knowledge she gained, but the path forward was still full of challenges. Her husband’s job change took them from Northern California to Ogden, Utah, just as they were starting fertility treatments. Though the move disrupted their plans, they quickly found a new clinic in Utah and resumed their treatments. In a surprising turn of events, Lauren became pregnant just two months after relocating. "We were incredibly thankful, nervous, and excited all at the same time," she recalls. In December 2022, they welcomed their son into the world.
Lauren’s journey was far from easy. As she faced the uncertainty of infertility, month after month of negative pregnancy tests, and the emotional devastation of miscarriage, she often felt isolated. "Infertility made me feel that I was broken, that something was wrong with me or that maybe I wasn’t getting pregnant because I didn’t deserve to be pregnant," Lauren shares. The loneliness she felt was deepened by the constant pregnancy announcements from friends on social media, which made her feel even more isolated and defeated.
However, a turning point came when Lauren heard someone else share their own fertility struggles. Hearing another person’s story gave her the courage to open up about her own experience, and in doing so, she felt less alone. "I was so thankful that they had been willing to share some of their deepest struggles with infertility," Lauren says. Knowing that others had faced similar challenges was comforting, and it inspired her to share her own story in the hope that it could help others.
Lauren’s fertility journey taught her the importance of staying hopeful, even in the face of discouragement. "Keeping a positive outlook is so important when faced with infertility," she explains, though she acknowledges it was one of the most difficult parts of her journey. By sharing her story, Lauren hopes to encourage others to remain hopeful and connected to a support system, no matter how lonely their journey may feel.
As Lauren reflects on the challenges she has faced, she knows that her experiences have shaped the way she now supports others. Her work on Wellnest’s Patient Advocacy Board (PAB) is driven by her own story. After learning that one in four women will experience a miscarriage at some point in their life, Lauren felt called to action. "It was heartbreaking to think how many other women have had to experience this kind of struggle, and many don’t have a strong support system," she says. She and her husband were fortunate to have family and friends who supported them through the highs and lows of their journey, and now, Lauren is determined to provide that same support to others who might not have it.
"I hope that by sharing my journey and experience with infertility, I might help someone who is struggling too, and give them hope for now and in the future," Lauren explains. Her personal experience allows her to empathize deeply with others going through fertility challenges, and she understands how important it is to feel supported and validated throughout the process.
Lauren’s desire to understand every aspect of her fertility journey helped her feel empowered during her treatments. While understanding her condition didn’t always provide solutions, it gave her the confidence to take an active role in her care. "Learning that there were things I could do to help boost my fertility and things that I needed to accept helped me to process some of the more difficult emotions," Lauren shares. This insight into her own journey has been invaluable in her role with the PAB.
Lauren believes that the moments of kindness she experienced during her journey made all the difference. Whether it was someone reaching out to offer encouragement or simply checking in, those moments had a profound impact. She sees this same care and compassion reflected in Wellnest’s approach to patient care. "I believe Wellnest is trying to do this for their patients by creating a welcoming and caring environment," Lauren explains. By taking the time to listen to the experiences of those who have struggled with infertility, Wellnest demonstrates its commitment to understanding and meeting the unique needs of each patient.
Through her work with Wellnest, Lauren has seen firsthand the compassionate, patient-centered approach that sets the clinic apart. "From my experience with Wellnest, they seem to understand that their patients are so much more than their fertility journey," she says. "They are individuals with unique struggles, and they want to be mindful and meet each individual where they are at specifically throughout their journey."
For those currently navigating infertility, Lauren offers heartfelt advice: "You are not alone in your suffering, and you can have hope for now and the future." She encourages others to continue finding joy in life, even while waiting. Whether it’s taking up a new hobby, spending time with friends, or simply making an effort to get out and enjoy life, Lauren believes that these small actions can be incredibly helpful.
Lauren’s fertility journey is ongoing, as she and her husband hope to have more children in the future. Recently, after conceiving their son, they were thrilled to welcome their second child, a baby girl into their family in July 2023. Though the path to parenthood has been filled with uncertainty, Lauren is incredibly thankful for her two beautiful children and the joy they bring to her life.
Reflecting on her experiences, Lauren continues to learn valuable lessons about patience, acceptance, and resilience. "I think I am still learning this, but realizing how little control I have over my fertility journey and my future has really humbled my outlook," she says. Ultimately, Lauren’s story is one of hope—hope for the present and the future, and hope that by sharing her story, she can help others feel less alone.
At Wellnest, Lauren’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and support in fertility care. Her personal story continues to shape the compassionate care offered to every patient, ensuring that no one walks this path alone.
This article was developed in collaboration with our professional fertility care providers located in Arizona and Utah.