pregnant woman sitting holding belly
Jade Small
Jade Small
March 1, 2024 ·  4 min read

Mom Who Struggled with Infertility Shares Her Roller Coaster Story

Being happily married usually leads to having children. But for some couples, conceiving a child is not as simple, leading to years or even a lifetime of emptiness. For this couple, being unable to have a baby was a very real part of their lives, but there is a happy ending to this tale!

Patiently Waiting

Desiree and Ryan Fortin are college sweethearts. They have been married, happily so, since 2009. But one thing was missing, a baby. For years the couple tried to make a baby, with no luck. Sadly, Desiree with polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothyroid, and low progesterone.

Still, Desiree just could not fall pregnant. The whole process left her mentally and physically drained:

[Infertility] brought me more tears than I ever thought I could shed…. I lay on my bathroom floor in complete emptiness after countless negative pregnancy tests time and time again. I had to endure shots, bruises, and all kinds of meds because when you are infertile and you seek fertility treatment for help, that is what you are in for. [It is] expensive and exhausting physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Desiree Fortin via Newsner

A Long Road

Desiree documented their struggles and joys on her blog, Our Journey To Parenthood. She says her blog helped her through a lot, and writing and sharing helped her with the many years of heartache and tears.

The journey we have been given on our road to parenthood is nothing what I thought it would be. There have been LOTS of tears, heart-wrenching moments, physical pain, grief, jealousy, and a complete feeling of emptiness. However, despite how trying our journey has been, it has been the most hopeful, rewarding, joyful experience I have ever shared in. I wouldn’t trade our story for anyone’s because I believe that God knitted every detail of our story so perfectly, in a way, that not only are we abundantly blessed and blown away by His complete and utter faithfulness, but our story is one of HOPE.”

Desiree

Waiting No More

This meant that their only option would end up being in-vitro fertilization. After three long years, they decided to try it. Finally, the couple found out they were going to be parents. Of course, they were over the moon with joy! But when having their first ultrasound, they were quite surprised by what they saw. Desiree and Ryan were going to be parents to not one, but THREE babies. Unfortunately, this was not the end of the difficult journey for the couple. Desiree was told that she would not be able to carry her triplets to term.

I was too thin, too short, and it was my first pregnancy. However, my hope wounds proved her wrong.”

Desiree
Desiree Fortin pregnant with twins
theperfectmom | Instagram
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Desiree Fortin (@theperfectmom)

When telling their friends and family the happy news, everyone had thought the couple was having twins, so they surprised them at their gender reveal party. Two boxes hid blue balloons, representing the twin boys.

“Well, that is awesome. I’m excited about two boys. But what if I told you… that you were all wrong. We’re actually having triplets!”

Ryan
triplet gender reveal. Desiree Fortin and husband
Desiree Fortin

Parents

Desiree delivered her precious babies via c-section at 34 weeks 1 day pregnant. Her greatest dream after being told it would not be possible to carry this far. Finally, the two college lovebirds had their family. Chatting to TODAY, Desiree said:

Today we are the proud parents of identical twin boys — Sawyer Reed and Jax Ryan, and one little girl — Charlize Hope. Our little angels are the most precious gift. My heart is overwhelmed when I think about the fact that we are now a family of five.

Desiree

Of course, raising three babies of the same age is no easy task! But when you are finally given the gift you have been asking for, you make it work!

Life since the babies were born has been busy, crazy and full of adventure. I still cannot believe that God has given me not one, but three tiny humans that I get to share my life with day in and day out. Also, I love getting smiles from my babies and watching them grow. I get lost in love staring at them — my heart overflows with thanksgiving because they are here.

Desiree
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A post shared by Desiree Fortin (@theperfectmom)

Life Today

Since the babies were born in 2015, they are now almost nine years old! And to top it off, the happy couple has even had a fourth child to add to their already big family.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Desiree Fortin (@theperfectmom)

Keep Reading: Identical Twin Sisters Give Birth To Sons On Same Day At The Same Hospital

Sources

  1. “Desiree Fortin, mom who struggled with infertility, on the joy of raising triplets.Today.  Terri Peters. December 9, 2015.