Hannah Bowers, INHC

It was incredibly devastating sitting in a second OBGYN’s office hearing the doctor say that the only way we would ever conceive was with medical intervention.

We weren’t even there with a mission of becoming pregnant, but my ultrasound results were severe enough to cause the conversation to rest on this delicate issue, once again.

At the time, I was 19, newly married, and struggling through a series of mysterious health issues. Not once, but twice, I was diagnosed with “Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome” (PCOS) and, both times, the OBGYN was quick to send me one my way with little more than a prescription for birth control. 

I was young, naive, and overwhelmed, but only after several attempts to find a birth control I tolerated did the light bulb go off. This wasn't a solution, merely a band-aid and I didn't want a band-aid. I wanted answers - a normal cycle, no more pain, and the opportunity to conceive on my timeline without medical intervention.

NOW, PCOS IS ONLY PART OF MY STORY.

Simultaneously, we were navigating a host of other, complex health problems with the same amount of success. My less-than-satisfactory experience with two, small-town OBGYNs was just the start of our journey toward starting a family.

The next year was filled with lots of doctor's appointments in every specialty under the sun. Every new doctor came with a new diagnosis. For a while, it seemed like we were making progress, but new symptoms would inevitably emerge and we would be back to the drawing board. It felt like we were constantly taking two steps forward only to move a step back. With every diagnosis came a new dietary protocol and supplement regime. My list of “safe” foods was becoming smaller and smaller without any improvement in the host of symptoms I was facing. My PCOS was still an ongoing issue, but it became a background issue, in light of everything else.

THEN IN 2016, SOMETHING INCREDIBLE HAPPENED.

The new doctor I was seeing wanted to test out something and prescribed a daily medication. I was hesitant, but cautiously began taking it and within 24 hours I found myself feeling the best I had felt in years. Unfortunately, this finding left us with more questions than answers, but we continued with the medication in good faith that it was going to help.

Eight weeks later, I found myself staring down at something shocking: a positive pregnancy test. The medication, which was never intended to help improve my fertility, caused me to ovulate for the first time in years.

A frenzy of excitement and astonishment covered the next few weeks. In a whirlwind, we visited a birth center, scheduled our first appointment, and made plans to tell our parents.

BUT THE JOY ENDED QUICKLY.

After experiencing spotting and cramping, we learned during an ER ultrasound that our baby had no heartbeat. The journey, at least this time around, had come to a close and with it came a grief I never could've imagined.

STILL FEELING THE WEIGHT OF OUR LOSS, WE STARTED TO RESEARCH OUR OPTIONS.

Pretty quickly, we'd assembled a supplement and lifestyle routine to support hormone production, uterine health, and egg quality. Recognizing that ovulation was potentially an issue, we also found an evidence-based protocol to support my body's natural cycle. Armed with all of this newfound knowledge and a lot of faith, I faithfully stuck with the daily routine, despite not seeing much changes over the first several weeks.

Six months later, the fruits of our labor were found and I was staring down at another positive test, though this time with an equal amount of apprehension and joy. Would you go all the way? Would this end the same way as last time? The mix of emotions was overwhelming.

At six weeks, we shared the joy with our parents, siblings, and very close friends, bringing them in to pray with us over the pregnancy. Then at eight weeks, we were blessed to see what every parent longs for: a heartbeat.

Though the pregnancy had a few ups and downs, we joyfully welcomed that baby in June of 2017. After another season of trying, we welcome a second son in August of 2020. Our third child is expected in November of 2023.

WHAT BEGAN AS A PERSONAL JOURNEY TO MOTHERHOOD UNEXPECTEDLY BECAME A DEEP PASSION FOR SHARING RELIABLE RESOURCES FOR EVERY STAGE OF THE JOURNEY.

Now, I'm dedicated to taking what I've learned and sharing the most useful information so that others can become mothers and thrive.