Case Studies

AART Patient Profiles

Because of our policy of confidentiality, we cannot disclose the identities of our patients. However, the following brief profiles provide a range of individual situations in which AART was able to help patients and partners achieve their family aspirations.

Not all patients have a successful outcome. The profiles included here represent a reasonable cross-section of the journeys our patients have traveled to success.

  • A 41-year-old patient from Cape Breton required surgery before she could be considered for IVF. After surgery, she enrolled in the program but the medications used to stimulate her ovaries did not appear to be producing the desired results. There was discussion of cancelling her cycle but she decided to proceed despite the reduced chances of success. Today she is the proud mother of twins.
  • A patient from Halifax with fluctuating FSH levels underwent nearly 10 years of infertility treatments before deciding to turn to IVF at the age of 39. Her second IVF cycle produced the results for which she had waited a long time.
  • A patient from central Nova Scotia, age 37, suffered from unexplained infertility. After three unsuccessful COH cycles, she opted for IVF and was successful with the first cycle.
  • A patient in her mid thirties was also successful with her first IVF cycle.
  • A Halifax couple in their early thirties opted for IVF after the woman was diagnosed as having blocked fallopian tubes. They were successful on their first IVF cycle. A subsequent implantation of a thaw embryo proved unsuccessful.
  • After 8 years of infertility, a patient in her late twenties from Lower Sackville, NS was successful with her second COH cycle.
  • After 8 years of trying to start their family, a New Brunswick couple, diagnosed with mild endometriosis and male factor difficulties opted for IVF cycles in December 1998. The 36 year old patient underwent two IVF cycles with ICSI. Both proved to be unsuccessful. However, in the spring of 2000, the couple finally achieved their goal with a thaw embryo transfer.

Through ongoing research we are improving our ability to overcome barriers to fertility. In turn, this improves patient outcomes. We have the following poem sent to us by a grateful father should we ever need reminding of the importance of that commitment.

Helping Hand

I remember when I was a little boy,
Sitting on my mother’s knee.
I asked her “Mom, where do babies come from?”,
And she smiled and looked down at me.

She said “God put an egg, right here in my womb,
Our love nurtured it and helped it form.
Until the day came that God said “you’re ready”
And that’s the day that you were born.”

So, as I sit here holding my child,
My mind drifts back to the day when I asked my mom
That simple question – in my innocent childhood way
If someday she asks me, I’ll remember Mom’s story
And I’ll tell it as best that I can
And I’ll tell her about all the wonderful people,
Who gave God a helping hand.