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Vous Church pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. and his wife DawnChere are expecting their first child later this month. But their journey to become parents has been a long one.

They’ve been attempting to have a child for the last eight years and are now opening up about how infertility has affected their faith and their relationship, as well as their outlook on God.

As they explained the in video description, “Infertility is a road of questions, frustrations and mystery, but it’s not a wasted season.”

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Rich, dawncheré wilkerson expecting 3rd child after infertility battle: 'thank you, jesus'.

Rich Wilkerson Jr., pastor of Vous Church in Miami, and his wife, DawnCheré, are expecting a baby girl — their third child after battling infertility for nearly a decade.

On Monday, the 36-year-old pastor shared a photo of his family, including their two young sons, sitting in a van surrounded by pink balloons. He captioned the photo: “Adding a car seat to the minivan #girldad.”

DawnCheré, 36, also shared a series of pictures in which the family is surrounded by pink balloons. 

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“Move over boys, BABY GIRL is on her way!” she captioned the photo. “July 2021 we’ll be a family of 5. Thank you, Jesus.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by DawnChere? Wilkerson (@dawnchere)

The couple are also parents to two young boys, Wyatt, born in 2018, and Wilde, born in 2019. 

The Wilkersons previously starred in "Rich in Faith," a reality TV show that chronicled their lives and ministry, where they frequently opened up about their eight-year struggle to have a baby.

"The cool thing about that show was, my wife and I were so open about our journey that a lot of people walked through it with us," Wilkerson told The Christian Post  in a previous interview. "When a miracle did show up, people around the world were able to rejoice with us."

While admitting the years of infertility weren't always easy, Wilkerson said that looking back, he wouldn't trade them for anything.

"I learned so much about Jesus during that time," he said. "We learned that we are complete with or without a child. I'm just grateful that God decided to grant us this blessing."

For other couples struggling with infertility, Wilkerson offered the reminder that a "waiting season doesn't have to be a wasted season."

"I think people think, 'Oh, if I could just get pregnant, I'd be happy.' That's just not the truth. Whatever season you're in, you can learn and grow and improve," he added. "Discover who Jesus is and find full satisfaction in Him."

"I would encourage those going through infertility to talk to someone about it as well," he continued. "People deal with shame and thinking they're inadequate, and if you harbor those thoughts and feelings they begin to fester. I think it's important to talk to someone. Know you're not alone."

At the time, the pastor referred to his first child as a “miracle baby.”

"We waited eight years for him," the Friend of Sinners author said. "God is so faithful and loving and merciful."

DawnCheré echoed her husband's sentiment in an earlier interview with People magazine.

"Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing," she said. "Rich and I have both grown in our faith and grown together through this struggle in ways we never would have otherwise. We came to a place where we realized that whether we had a child or not, we would choose to live lives of joy and purpose."

"I've been far more concerned with soaking up the moment than planning the perfect nursery decor or shower theme," she added. "We've been given a gift and I want to enjoy it with those we love. Our hearts are so grateful to God. No rushing ahead; every step is a beautiful miracle."

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Rich Wilkerson And Wife Expects First Daughter After Infertility Battle

Pastor Rich Wilkerson and his wife DawnCheré are expecting their first daughter, the third child after a battle with infertility for almost a decade.

First Daughter

On Monday, Pastor Rich and his wife DawnCheré announced the good news on their social media accounts. They are expecting a baby girl. The 36-year-old pastor posted a photo of their family beside their family minivan surrounded by pink balloons.

He captioned the photo: “Adding a car seat to the minivan #girldad.”

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Rich Wilkerson (@richwilkersonjr)

Pastor Rich & DawnCheré Wilkerson

The 36-year-old mother also posted photos of their two sons surrounded by pink balloons. She is praising Jesus for their third miracle baby that they will welcome soon.

“Move over boys, BABY GIRL is on her way!” she captioned the photo. “July 2021 we’ll be a family of 5. Thank you, Jesus.”

Infertility

Prior to having their first son, the couple struggled with infertility. In the reality TV show “Rich In Faith,” the couple  shared about their eight-year struggle to have a baby.

“The cool thing about that show was, my wife and I were so open about our journey that a lot of people walked through it with us,” Wilkerson told  The Christian Post  in a previous interview. “When a miracle did show up, people around the world were able to rejoice with us.”

In 2018, the couple received a miracle and welcomed their firstborn son Wyatt. Their second son Wilde was added to their family a year later. God had answered their prayers.

“I learned so much about Jesus during that time,” he said. “We learned that we are complete with or without a child. I’m just grateful that God decided to grant us this blessing.”

The Vous Church pastors also reminded other couples struggling with infertility that “a waiting season doesn’t have to be a wasted season.” That waiting season can be used to know the Lord more and trust Him completely.

Read also: Hit Series ‘The Chosen’ Hosts Star-Studded Christmas TV Special 

Reference: The Christian Post 

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DawnCheré Wilkerson

If you're unfamiliar with the legendary DawnCheré Wilkerson, consider the content of this article an early Christmas present with a big red bow tied neatly on top. DawnCheré is arguably the most distinguished, publicized, and influential pastor's wife of our generation. The petite blonde is married to Rich Wilkerson Jr, the acclaimed, noteworthy author and prodigious preacher of Vous Church in Miami, monumentalized for performing the marriage ceremony between Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.

DawnCheré and Rich are an obvious power couple - from their reality show on Oxygen, Rich in Faith , to their countless appearances, interviews, and ministry outreaches. It's no wonder the duo are so recognized by the Christian ( and non-Christian ) community: they live life ( dare I say? ) just like Jesus would live it if He were here today. The couple have placed their lives on the throne of God's Kingdom, ready and willing to walk wherever they're guided. Consequently, God led them straight into the public eye. And boy, have they thrived.

With open hearts to serve and a zeal to love, the famous pair have set the benchmark high for young Christian couples. Their lives acutely exude the notion that loving Jesus is not lame. Rather, it is a rollercoaster of internal wealth, peace, joy, and Heavenly treasure.

Milk & Honey Magazine was VERY, very ( very? ) excited to interview the role model of thousands of young women - DawnCheré Wilkerson.

Enjoy her answers, they're worth more than jewels.

Do you have a favorite book of the Bible?

My favorite book is probably Proverbs because it holds a special significance in my life. Since I was a little girl, my Mom would have us read the corresponding chapter with the day's date. It always holds a special place in my heart and no matter how many times I read the wisdom it holds, it challenges me deeply. 

How do you and Rich prioritize your marriage with both of your busy schedules?

I think marriage is about being flexible and enjoying the journey . We don't have rigid rules for date times; however, it is a huge priority. We can make a date night out of watching a movie at the house with take-out food, or by getting dressed up and enjoying a nice dinner. Either way, we are together - that is the point! Rich has been my best friend since I was 17, so to be honest, there's no one I would rather hang with. Life gets crazy at times with travel, but it's just a season; there is rest all throughout it if you find the moments and make the most of them!

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

Continue to work on your craft. Learn, work hard, and enjoy! My Dad always told me my 20's are for preparation. I think people often feel they have to have everything figured out by the time they graduate from college. But the truth is that most of us don't have a clue! So breathe, don't be ruled by fear and continue to grow - focus on living a life of excellence and God brings the acceleration. 

Do you have any advice for single women waiting for the right man?

Don't get caught up in looking. I really believe that men should do the pursuing. There is nothing more attractive to a man than a woman who is confident in herself. That goes for every season of life, even after you get married. Know that you are valuable. Take care of yourself, create a healthy lifestyle and nurture healthy relationships. As you are responsible with what God has put in your hand, you can trust his timing for bringing Mr. Right along as well. 

Do you have any "God moments" you can share?

Well, I think some of the most beautiful moments are not huge mountaintop experiences, but rather the daily small whispers of encouragement and love. Provers 11:25 says those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed and I have found this to be an incredible promise in my life! God moments can be the kindness of the stranger, a quite moment with your coffee cup and Bible, or even a beautiful unexpected conversation with a loved one. As we open our eyes to the people around us and decide to love others, it brings so much peace and fulfillment.

What do you do to not get stuck in the motions of church/religion?

Get outside the doors of church and love people who don't know Jesus! That will keep you away from getting complacent really quick! I find that having real, meaningful relationships with people who do not know Jesus changes my view of Sunday completely. When you have invited someone to church for the first time, you realize the importance of carrying a spirit of excellence and conveying the gospel each week in a way that allows people to understand the message of the Gospel clearly. It's important for us, as Christ followers, to not look at people like projects. There is no start and end date as long as someone is breathing. If God has not given up on them, neither should you. Keep loving, serving, and seeking to bring hope to people around you! You will be filled with a new sense of Gods grace and gratitude for the love you have found!

*M&H does not own these photos.

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'Rich in Faith' 's Rich and DawnCheré Wilkerson Welcome Son Wyatt Wesley

Rich in Faith's Rich and DawnCheré Wilkerson welcomed son Wyatt Wesley on Tuesday

It’s a boy!

Rich in Faith stars Rich Wilkerson Jr . and his wife DawnCheré have become parents for the first time with the birth of their son, Wyatt Wesley Wilkerson, on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

“Welcome to the world son,” the proud new dad captioned a snapshot of his baby boy on Instagram.

The Wilkersons, who rose to prominence after Rich officiated the 2014 wedding of Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West , lead Vous Church in Miami.

After the Kardiashian/West wedding, the Wilkersons starred in Rich in Faith, a reality show that chronicled their lives and ministry.

RELATED VIDEO: Kanye and Kim Kardashian West Welcome a Daughter

Wyatt was born after an 8-year fertility struggle.

“I was told on my twenty fifth birthday by my doctor that we would have trouble conceiving,” DawnCheré recently told PEOPLE. “I honestly thought the doctor was wrong. I never dreamed it would take eight years before we heard the words, ‘You’re pregnant.’ “

The long wait caused its strains on the couple, who documented their desire to become parents on the show.

“Waiting isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to destroy your marriage,” Rich told PEOPLE. “We never made our relationship center around having a child.”

Want all the latest pregnancy and birth announcements, plus celebrity mom blogs? Click here to get those and more in the PEOPLE Babies newsletter .

Last week, Rich told PEOPLE that he is seeking out advice from other parents. “I’ve talked to everyone about becoming a dad. It’s a big step to become parents, and we know that! Everyone’s got advice.”

“The bottom line is that I’m excited. DawnCheré is excited. We have a family and friends and a church family, and everyone is excited to meet this boy. We’re ready for the challenge of raising him. It’s a very exciting time in our lives.”

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Exclusive interview: This mom and daughter from sMothered are so alike they even wanted to give BIRTH the same way

Mom and daughter Dawn and Cher, who star together on TLC’s hit show sMothered, look almost identical and regularly dress in matching clothes. Even their voices sound similar, and the pair are so close that when Cher got pregnant, Dawn was adamant that they should even give BIRTH the same way.

The second season of sMothered has followed 29-year-old Cher’s journey through pregnancy, with the cameras there to capture every contraction as she went into labor before she finally gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Belle May.

It turns out Jared was right, and Cher did end up having an epidural — but her mom tried so hard during labor to convince her not to that she actually had to be told by the anaesthetist to LEAVE the birthing room.

Did Cher really want to have a natural birth?

Despite it looking to viewers like Cher had been convinced by her mom to change her mind about the epidural, Dawn, 59, insists differently. She told Monsters and Critics in an exclusive interview, “I did want to have a natural birth. I am vegan and a big animal advocate. I always felt that if animals in the wild can do it, then I can do it too!”

“I told Jared that if my contractions go really bad, just remind me that animals in the wild do this all the time. I also saw the documentary ‘The Business of Being Born,’ and was convinced I wanted to have a natural birth after seeing that.”

“My mom wanted me to have a natural birth because she was so worried that if I got the epidural, it would slow down my contractions. She encouraged me to have a natural birth but respected that in the end, it would be my decision. She was very supportive and I am so glad that I was able to have my mom and husband by my side through this amazing experience.”

The other major drama of the pair’s time on sMothered Season 2 came after the birth when Cher and Jared got home and were learning how to be parents.

While Jared wanted some alone time for him, Cher and Belle May to bond as a family, Dawn basically set up camp in their New York City home — and only flew home after Jared convinced his wife to ask her to leave.

The aftermath of THAT awkward conversation

Dawn was left confused and upset by being asked to leave and give them space because, from her point of view, she was only trying to help. She told Monsters and Critics, “When Cher and Jared asked me to leave, I immediately felt like I did something wrong.”

“As a mom, and now Mimi, all I wanted to do was help as much as I could. I know how hard being a new mom is and I wanted to be there for them through it all. Many first-time parents hire baby nurses in order to make the transition easier.”

“Instead of hiring a baby nurse, I told them that I would be there to help. When they asked me to leave, I was unsure why. I was there trying to make their life easier.”

Cher told producers on the show that if it had been solely up to her, she would have let her mom stay. However, it turns out it wasn’t long before she got her mom back.

“Looking back, I do understand why they wanted that special time together to grow as a family, just the three of them,” says Dawn. “Although they asked me to leave, they later asked me to return and help out, as soon as Jared’s paternity leave was over.”

“My husband and I have a great relationship and talk through everything together. We have been together 11 years!” added Cher. “We agreed that it was important to have time as a family while he was on paternity leave, but he understood that I did want my mom to come back when he went back to work.

“He works very long hours and being a new mom can be very tough at times. Having my mom there would be extremely helpful. I don’t have a nanny, babysitter, or other familial help in NYC, so having my mom visit really helps a lot!”

“Also, my husband agreed this was a good idea because it is hard to clean, cook, take care of daily chores etc. with a new baby around and since he was busy at work, he also wanted my mom to step in. Unfortunately, in the show you only got to see us asking her to leave, but we very quickly asked her to come back.”

How the birth changed Dawn and Cher’s relationship

Dawn lives in Florida, where she has a very close relationship with her own 88-year-old mom (“I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” she says). However, that makes it difficult to see Cher as much as she would like to.

“I wish we lived closer so that I could help them whenever they are in need,” she says. “I often think about moving to NYC, or at least getting an apartment there to come and go easily. Jared works long hours and Cher does not get any breaks. I want to be there to help Cher and also be a bigger part of Belle’s life.”

Dawn vocalized on the show her concerns that the birth of Belle May would change her own relationship with her daughter — however, she and Cher are quickly adapting.

“Our relationship changed because Belle needs Cher’s undivided attention now,” says Dawn. “Before Cher had a baby, she never missed a phone call. Now I often get rejected because she is busy with the baby. We are still extremely close, and still talk all day long, but because of the pandemic, we do not get to see each other as often as we would like.

“I think Cher understands me more as a mom now, and it has been a lot of fun discussing mom topics!”

Being a new mom in lockdown

Although the pandemic has meant she and her mom haven’t been able to spend as much time together as they would have liked, Cher says lockdown didn’t otherwise make much difference to her as a new mom.

“Honestly, not much has changed for me as a mom [during lockdown],” she says. We were home a lot prior to this due to her [Belle May’s] rigid nap schedule. I do miss visiting my mom and family in Florida and I do miss attending baby classes, but besides that, not too much has changed for us.

“I document a lot of my life as a mom on my instagram page @cherhubsher which shows my daily life with my daughter. Even though we are social distancing, we try to make the most of every day. My mom also drove to NYC twice to visit which was so special.”

sMothered airs Sunday nights at 10/9c on TLC. Make sure you don’t miss our other interviews with the moms and daughters of sMothered — including Cathy and Kristina, Alena and Marcia, Laurie and Sarah, Mary and Brittani, and Sunhe and Angelica .

If Dawn was my mother I would surely move out of state. The more my mom would cling the more I would run from her. What a miserable thing to shove down someones throat.

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DawnCheré Wilkerson

About DawnCheré

DawnCheré Wilkerson, along with her husband Rich, pastor The Rendezvous, a young adult gathering in the heart of Miami, Florida at Trinity Church. Each week at “The Vous”, original music, teaching, discipleship, and the arts are the catalyst used to inspire this generation to live for Christ. Their annual conference on South Beach, held in the historic Fillmore Theater, gathers people from around the world. DawnCheré is a song-writer, speaker and worship pastor who imparts strength and loves nothing more than to encourage people of all ages to never give up! Her honest and upfront approach brings a fresh viewpoint and clarity to life’s issues.

Starting Your Fertility Journey: What to Expect and When to Seek Care

Conceiving can be a difficult journey for many couples or individuals. It has been estimated that 1 in 6 couples will have difficulty conceiving. So, when is the right time to speak to a specialist about it? If you’re in search of those answers, this is a good place to start. We spoke with Dr. Al Yuzpe, MD, FRCSC, Canada’s most senior Reproductive Endocrinologist and co-founder and co-director of Olive Fertility Centre, to highlight what to expect when you begin a fertility journey.

At what point is someone experiencing “infertility?”

Infertility is typically defined as “failure to conceive following 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse.” However, this definition only refers to a heterosexual couple. However, this definition should be modified depending on a number of factors including the age of the couple, the length of time they have been trying to conceive and their medical histories including surgeries (past and present).

A thorough fertility investigation will help determine whether there is a definable cause for a couple’s failure to conceive. In some cases, there is no definable cause. Those who receive this diagnosis are often referred to as suffering from “sub-fertility” or having “unexplained infertility.”

If you’re in a same-sex relationship, infertility is likely due to missing the egg or the sperm factor in the equation. This is a situational issue that can also be treated using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

What is the difference between a Reproductive Endocrinologist (REI) and an Ob/Gyn?

Reproductive Medicine and Infertility is a subspecialty of Ob/Gyn. After completing a residency program in Ob/Gyn (4-5 years), one must complete an additional REI subspecialty program in Reproductive Medicine to qualify as an REI specialist (2 years in Canada, and 3 years in the USA). Other countries have different requirements. So, while seeing an Ob/Gyn can be beneficial, REI’s have more in-depth knowledge on infertility factors, and with that, more answers.

When should a couple/person make an appointment with an REI?

Maternal and paternal age are important factors in fertility, in the risk of miscarriage, congenital anomalies, and other obstetrical issues.

If there is a suspicion of an underlying cause of infertility for the female partner, an REI appointment should be made even before pregnancy is attempted to ascertain whether there is or could be a relationship with the ability to conceive.

These underlying causes vary but can include an irregular or no period at all, a chronic medical condition, a previous pelvic infection or salpiningitis (PID), the use of certain medications, or difficulty/pain with intercourse.

Even with an absence of symptoms listed above, the female’s age and duration of trying to conceive without a healthy pregnancy should be taken into consideration:

• If the female is less than thirty-five years of age, she should seek help after twelve months of trying with regular intercourse.
• If the female is between thirty-five and thirty-eight, she should seek help after six to nine months of trying.
• If the female is older than forty, she should at least have a consultation at the start of trying or no later than after three months of trying.

It is never too early to seek advice or help regarding fertility — the harm lies in seeking help too late. If there is any concern for infertility, preconception counseling is advised from either a family physician or Ob/Gyn. If there is still concern, most consulting physicians can order a basic fertility investigation.

The preceding guidelines should be of help for someone looking to better understand their fertility and what a journey may consist of.

A Typical Fertility Consultation

Most clinics follow a specific routine prior to the first fertility consultation. However, some clinics vary in their routines. You may be asked to have certain tests done in advance of that appointment. They may also ask both you and your partner to complete a medical history so that the physician you will be seeing will have a basic knowledge of your situation. It is very important to complete these forms since they will often affect the direction of discussion and the treatment plan and make the first visit much more productive and will allow for a more complete discussion of your particular circumstances. Be certain to answer all questions as completely and honestly as possible.

Before your appointment, make a list of your questions and concerns and be sure that all of them are answered or dealt with at that appointment. Ask about how your provider communicates – some prefer phone while others prefer email, some set aside certain times of the day for patient communication, others have a less structured approach, etc. Factors such as these can affect your experience.

The first visit is very important because, among other things, you will have the opportunity to form a rapport with your new physician. You should go into it openly and as comfortable as possible since this will enable you to discuss things freely and without reservation. If you have any concerns, make sure that your physician is aware of them. By the time you leave your first appointment, you should be aware of any tests that require completion. In some cases, a tentative investigation and treatment plan will be established at that visit.   

Remember, you are choosing the clinic that will be looking after you. You may want to know about the success rates associated with various treatments that they offer. A clinic that quotes the highest pregnancy rates may not necessarily be the right clinic for you. You may have had a clinic suggested to you from friends, Google reviews, etc., but keep in mind, each person’s fertility journey is unique. You are the one that needs to be comfortable with your choice.

Common Diagnoses as Causes of Infertility

There are several causes associated with infertility – some of which are female-factor related, some that are male-factor related and some that are a combination of the two. For that reason, a fertility investigation must include investigation of both the male and the female.

While not absolute, there have also been links to lifestyle factors that can impact fertility, some of which include smoking, obesity, low body fat, STIs, and others.

The Most Common Female Causes

• Ovulation disorders — PCOS and other hormonal issues can cause ovulation failure, thus making conceiving naturally far less possible if at all without treatment
• Tubal diseases — pelvic inflammatory disease or other issues with female organs can cause infertility
• Endometriosis — may cause pelvic adhesions or endometriomas (a type of ovarian cyst)
• Certain chronic diseases — endocrine disorders may play a role in conceiving and pregnancy
• Uterine causes — congenital abnormalities, and uterine fibroids
• Medications and other drugs
• Advanced female age — this varies from one woman to another

The Most Common Male Causes

• Sperm abnormalities — abnormalities in quantity, quality, or function of sperm
• Erectile dysfunction (ED), reduced libido, dysfunction in ejaculation
• Previous vasectomy
• Associated medical illnesses – diabetes or other hormonal disorders
• Genetic diseases — e.g. Cystic fibrosis
• Medications or drugs
• Advanced paternal age – often associated with reduced sperm quality and an increase in ED
• Lifestyle issues – smoking, recreational drugs, and excess alcohol consumption may impact sperm quality as well as other hormones

Common Treatments

Before reviewing treatment options remember that you and your partner, if you have one, are going through a unique experience. Just because you know someone who tried a treatment plan that worked well for them, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is the treatment option for you. Don’t be discouraged by that!  If you are confident with the clinic you have chosen, then you should follow your physician’s advice and recommendations.

Your physician may suggest changes as simple as:

• “You should continue to try on your own for a specified length of time”
• “Adjust your frequency of intercourse”
• A lifestyle adjustment – smoking cessation, weight loss/gain, etc.

Other treatments for the female may include:

• Lifestyle adjustments – smoking cessation, weight loss including diet and exercise, adjustment of intercourse timing & frequency, complementary therapies including acupuncture, yoga, mind-body techniques, supplements (this is a controversial area)
• Surgical intervention — for any underlying pathology which is amenable to surgery
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) — with or without associated medication for the female
• Ovulation induction — for absent or infrequent ovulation or other menstrual disorders
• Correcting or controlling any associated medical disorders
• Assisted Reproductive Technology — IVF +/- any of its many variants (egg donor)
• Weight stabilization — management of excessive weight or low body weight

Male treatments may include:

• Specific supplements related to sperm production (antioxidants, zinc , magnesium, selenium, CoQ10, likopenes, etc.)
• Lifestyle adjustment — smoking cessation, weight loss, adjustment of intercourse timing & frequency
• Correction of underlying medical issues — improved control of diabetes, treatment of ED, etc.
• Correction of sperm factors — varicocele repair
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• Electroejaculation in the spinal cord injured male
• PESA** — percutaneous sperm aspiration
• MESA**or TESE** — microscopic surgical extraction of sperm   directly from the testis or epididymis
• Assisted reproductive technology – IVF, ICSI

** Sperm retrieved by PESA, MESA, TESE is combined with intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI

The Cost of Fertility Investigation and Treatment in Canada

Fertility investigation of both the female and male is primarily covered by provincial health insurance. However, not every test qualifies for this coverage. In addition, coverage varies from province to province. Be certain that you are well informed about what tests are not covered by the provincial health care plan and exactly what the cost is for a specific test. You should also be aware of any additional coverage that you have for a specific test or treatment by way of any extended health benefits, like Progyny, offered by your employer.

Fertility Testing

The basic fertility evaluation for a female can include:

• HSG, SHG, and a hysteroscopy
• Menstrual history, BBT, progesterone testing, LH testing
• Hormone profile and genetic screening
• Ultrasounds, MRIs, hysteroscopy or laparoscopy

The basic fertility evaluation for a male patient usually includes:

• Volume of the ejaculate
• Sperm count, motility, and morphology (shapes)
• DNA fragmentation
• Leukoscreen
• Anti-sperm antibodies
• Scrotal ultrasound
• Hormonal and genetic testing
• Testicular biopsy

Some clinics will add additional tests to those mentioned above. When there is more than one test noted to assess a specific fertility function, they all likely provide the same information. Your physician will choose the test that she/he considers the best for you. A complete general physical examination is also a part of any fertility investigation.

A fertility evaluation and the foray into potential treatment may seem overwhelming, but by asking questions, leaning on your support systems, and establishing a trusted relationship with your physician can help you take the first step towards your future family! For more information on how to start your fertility journey through Progyny in Canada, please contact your Progyny PCA!

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Home / Patient Story / Dawn

Patient Story

Our family’s journey began when I was 19. I was in college… doing well academically, part of the SGA, in a sorority, in the dance company and working in the Psychology Department. Becoming a parent was the furthest thing from my mind at that time, yet just prior to my 20th birthday I discovered I was pregnant.

I had a beautiful baby daughter at the age of 20 and when she was a year old i met the man i knew would be my lifelong partner. four years later we were married. we were already parents together, but had lots of late-night talks about how excited we were to get started on having more children. we both wanted a big family. we each only had one brother and loved the thought of our house being filled with laughter, love, and the potential for lots of noise and screaming matches over who gets the last piece of cake., discovering our infertility, after months, and months, and months of trying with no success, we went to my doctor to get answers. a few evenings later, i can remember standing at the top of the stairs yelling down to my husband “you better hurry up we have a business to take care of” he looked up at me and said, “the doctor called today.” i still remember how my heart sank when he told me the doctor informed him because of his sperm count, we wouldn’t be able to get pregnant on our own., beginning the journey, there were extremely heartbreaking times, yet days so full of joy i have no words to describe what we felt. our journey started with ivf. our first try was a pregnancy that turned out to be ectopic, resulting in a ruptured fallopian tube which then had to be removed. on our fourth round of six available ivf procedures (as we used the shared risk 100% refund program), i got pregnant, during our first ultrasound, they saw one baby. a week later there were suddenly two however, several sonograms later, one of the baby’s hearts stopped beating. the other baby continued to grow, and nine months later i gave birth to our daughter. we now have a very bubbly, self-proclaimed “chatty” seven-year-old girl that makes us question if we even need televisions in our home, because she is a constant source of entertainment a year after our daughter was born, we did a frozen cycle with the remaining embryos from our first three rounds of ivf, and one week later i was pregnant again… it seemed too easy this time. almost nine months later we had our first son. although more reserved and yet still a ball of wit, our family still didn’t feel complete., an incomplete family, although we both always wanted a large family, i still chalk this “incomplete” feeling up to having one more frozen embryo stored at shady grove fertility for years, which we always incorporated into our thoughts, hearts, and plans. it was almost as though we knew we would be having another child and just had to decide when we would pick him or her up., now we had three children but still wanted more. when our son turned one, we went back for that last embryo and did another frozen cycle, which was unsuccessful. i felt the same loss i had felt many times before. our initial agreement to go back for that one embryo turned into deciding to start treatments all over again. this time, our insurance changed a bit and agreed to pay for iui treatments which seemed like a possibility. so we went for it. four rounds of iui later, i got pregnant of course, i am skipping over all of the ups and downs of all the times i went through – tons of shots, seemingly endless four-hour round trips to doctor’s appointments, and the repeatedly sunken feeling of disappointment when the pregnancy tests came back negative., i will never forget our drive home after our first sonogram with this pregnancy. my husband’s face was painted with concentration as he calculated daycare costs, but mine was a smile from ear to ear. i was pregnant with twins – something we both said we would love to have long before we ever knew about our infertility, but we didn’t necessarily plan for it to happen on the last go-round. this pregnancy was rough, to say the least, and just weeks shy of when babies can survive outside of their mother’s womb, i went into early labor due to an infection in my uterus. they took their last breath just after they were born. this was, and still is the lowest point of our journey., i will never be able to decide what’s worse: the pain of not being able to have children or the pain from losing them. many might call me crazy, and perhaps they would be justified, but within a week after we lost our twins i left a message for my nurse at shady grove fertility explaining what had happened, asking when i could physically start trying again. i was getting older and knew that even six months could impact my ability to get pregnant. i wanted our family to be complete and now it felt very broken. after the years we put into this journey, the hell if i was closing this chapter of our lives this way., finding support, i was hurting, however, so for the first time i reached out and started attending a local peer-led general infertility support group which met monthly. we all had different experiences but connected in a way that i frankly, had grown tired of trying to explain to others. we all understood, without having to even say a word, the depth of what we wanted but could not have. this group allowed me to talk to others about what we had been through and where we were going. without this experience, i would not have healed as well as i have. i was also able to connect with a couple of women through the hospital who were shady grove fertility patients and had lost their babies. one of them lost her twins around the same time i did. it was nice not to have to explain myself, justify my sanity, or plea my case to those who questioned my heart’s plan for our family., the courage to move forward, following this loss, our insurance company gave us approval for another six rounds of iui. we did all six, and all were unsuccessful. after long talks and thorough consideration, we made some decisions. we didn’t want to drive brand new cars. we didn’t mind mowing our own lawn or cutting back on eating out. we held off on vacations for a couple of years, and we took every remaining penny we had ever saved and invested it into our second shared risk plan. we never looked back and have zero regrets., once we were approved to go forward with the shared risk plan again, i completed our first round of ivf. we were told we had three excellent embryos and a fourth that looked really good. i held back the tears as i knew the physician was telling me out of excitement, but one of my greatest fears had always been leaving an embryo behind, let alone two. we transferred two that day and had the other two frozen. two weeks later i learned i was pregnant although filled with joy, my next feeling consisted of a gut-wrenching pain because i knew what decisions would lie ahead for us., within a week, i had a miscarriage. we continued on. the second round we did as a frozen cycle. we transferred the two remaining frozen embryos. i got pregnant and about seven months later, we had a baby boy. he came a bit early, but after a nine-day stay in the nicu, turned into a happy, healthy 18-month-old. from the moment he was born, our family felt complete. he is the center of our family’s joy and watching him interact with his siblings is by far the greatest fulfillment in my life. each member of our family is so precious to each of us. without this journey, we would not be who we are today and because of it, we are whole. now when someone asks me if we are thinking about having more children, without hesitation i tell them we are done., a family completed, my husband put his arm around me when we were at a family pool party just a few weeks ago, and while submerged in water up to our shoulders and getting splashed repeatedly by our 18-month-old, he whispered to me “our lives are stressful and chaotic, but i love you and i wouldn’t have it any other way.” there are six of us living in our house. quiet nights are a thing of the past. we joke about this, but we often find that one by one we gradually follow each other into any room in our house. eventually, we all seem to end up piled into one small space, complete with our dog, who eventually will make her way in., there are occasions when i let responding to a birthday party invitation slip through the cracks, and nights when my child is the only one on the t-ball field without the correct color socks. we are far from perfect, but we are perfect for each other. i can say our family is now complete. it is a feeling of comfort, knowing we are all finally together. every day when i glance at any of their little faces, i lose my breath just for a second. they are incredibly precious, i am forever thankful for them all, and watching their love for one another is without a doubt, my favorite part. for this, i am eternally grateful., my advice to others, do what is best for you what feels right for one person may be completely wrong for the next. i have talked with many people who have experienced infertility. i have heard their stories, sorrows, and joy. i have supported them in their decisions, even when i wanted to tell them what i thought they should do. most importantly, i have seen the outcomes of their decisions and their happiness as a result. some have decided to live as a couple with no children, others have stopped infertility treatments and adopted instead, and some have had children as a result of ivf, just like me, share your story, share experiences. share hope., need-to-know fertility resources and guidance, diagnosis and treatment, we understand you may have questions about infertility and how it’s treated. gain answers from the diagnosis and treatments shared in this story., infertility terms.

• Male factor infertility

Ectopic Pregnancy

Receiving care, assemble your fertility care team close to home. explore our different locations and physicians who will provide guidance along your journey., find a location near me.

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Emotional support
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

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Practical Information and Emotional Guidance for Women Diagnosed with Infertility

Stop feeling alone and lost….

The devastation of an infertility diagnosis and the despair, sense of loss and panic that follows can never quite be understood unless you have walked in those shoes.

One gaping hole in my journey to parenthood was the lack of practical, information and emotional support available to me. I had to navigate this uncharted infertility and IVF territory alone and by trial and error.

“I never want anyone to experience that feeling of being lost in the world of infertility.”

Hi I am Dawn, welcome to my website and thank you for visiting, I bring together my knowledge, learned from my personal and extensive professional experience in a role that is one of personal guidance and support via the online services offered.

My personal journey began in 2006 at age 37 when I was diagnosed with infertility and my intimate IVF experience began.

After the birth of our son, via IVF in 2008 I started working with couples, mostly women coaching one on one. I conceived our daughter in 2009, again with the help of IVF.

Fast forward 12 years and I have worked with thousands of couples internationally assisting them with information, knowledge and empowerment intended to give the best possible chance of conception.

My website FERTILITYDawn was born out of a desire and necessity to assist women battling infertility. The services provide our many followers with more knowledge to make them feel more empowered and more successful in conceiving.

The IVF Conception Mindset Program

The international online IVF Conception Mindset Program empowers you in your fertility journey giving you a Fertile Mindset & a Fertile Lifestyle to increase your chances of a healthy conception and ensure your path getting there doesn’t put your quality of life on pause. Read more Here .

Purchase The IVF Conception Mindset Program for Just $9.99

Please note that you will be directed to a secure purchase page in PayPal after which you will be redirected to the download page.

EGGCEPTANCE

Eggceptance, my eBook was published on Amazon in 2019 and is specifically written for those considering the option of parenthood via Egg Donation. Read more Here .

Purchase Eggceptance Ebook FOR Just $9.99

I am committed and passionate about providing you with pro conception information on all topics that I know you need and often from a different perspective, through the personal & professional experience of my eyes.

I believe that it is only through the sharing of ourselves and our journey that real value is added to others.

Hindsight is a wonderful gift, it teaches you to use it wisely and that is my gift to you, as we walk this road towards conception together.

I continue my passion working towards conception with intended parents globally in a leading fertility clinic, Cape Fertility along with being a qualified Perinatal Bereavement Worker in Baby Loss and sharing my knowledge and empowerment via FERTILITYDawn.

Every time, without fail, that I receive a picture of a beautiful new born from someone I have coached, my heart lights up with indescribable joy and I am constantly reminded why I do what I do.

May the healthy happy baby you so long for be yours. SOON

I look forward to assisting you getting there.

With Fertile Hugs,

EP #347: Infertility & Becoming Free to Conceive in Midlife with Dawn Williams

What You’ll Learn from this Episode About Infertility & Becoming Free to Conceive in Midlife with Dawn Williams:

• What it can be like when you’re dealing with infertility and becoming free to conceive in midlife can be part of your self-development journey.
• How to help women who are longing to conceive and dealing with infertility.
• Why infertility may or may not be a good option for you.
• Why adoption may or may not be a good option for you.
• How early menopause can get in the way of your plans for motherhood in many ways.
• What it’s like to go on a self-development journey that involves parenting strategies when you’re also experiencing the effect of menopause hormones.
• What it was like to realize you have something to offer other women who are also longing to conceive and become a parent.
• How your mindset can be related to your journey when you’re longing to conceive.
• Why learning how to surrender can be an essential part of this self-development journey.
• Why it’s so important to understand the reality of what we have control over.
• Why getting more uncomfortable with certainty is critical to happiness and well-being.
• Why the amount of personal growth that can come from infertility can have surprising outcomes.

Welcome to another episode of the Women in the Middle Podcast

Today’s podcast episode is about infertility & becoming free to conceive in midlife with Dawn Williams.

Dawn is a mom, author, and fertility guide who is passionate about helping women who are longing to conceive.

Also known as Your Fertility Angel, Dawn will help you find inner peace on your path to motherhood. She knows the pains, sorrows, and challenges of the conception journey first-hand.

Dawn’s exclusive Five-Point SuperStar method to overcoming fertility challenges considers more than just the physical reasons that impede conception. In particular, Dawn will help bring your mind, body, and spirit back into alignment to create the ideal conditions for conception and motherhood to flourish. Her compassionate approach will allow you to transform your relationship with fertility and achieve lasting lightness and joy.

Dawn is praised for her loving and comforting style of women’s wellness coaching that mixes the practical with the spiritual. She believes extraordinary life emerges when we step into our true selves.

Dawn has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is a certified love and authenticity practitioner. She lives with her beloved husband, daughter, and three dogs in Eastern Pennsylvania. She has a ravenous appetite for the field of personal development and also enjoys playing tennis and acrylic painting.

I know you’re going to really enjoy meeting Dawn Williams and you’ll get a lot from this interview!

The information shared in this podcast is intended for your convenience, entertainment and education and isn’t geared to your personal situation; it’s not a replacement for care or advice from your own medical professional. So as always, you may have some things you want to follow up on so please seek a suitable professional to advise you on your personal situation.

Connect with Dawn Williams:

Website: www.yourfertilityangel.com

Book: Free to Conceive 

You might also like:

Women in the Middle Podcast: Ep 167: Mind Hacks When You’re Feeling Troubled by Uncertainty

https://suzyrosenstein.com/podcast/ep-167-9-mind-hacks-when-youre-feeling-troubled-by-uncertainty/

BLOG: How to get unstuck in midlife: https://suzyrosenstein.com/blog/how-to-get-unstuck-in-life-after-50/

Connect with Suzy

Free Resources

PODCAST CLUB: Are you a midlife woman who loves listening to the Women in the Middle  Podcast? Listeners are invited to continue the podcast conversation monthly and directly with Suzy on Zoom! You also get a monthly worksheet to help you apply what you’re learning on the podcast. Monthly membership, cancel any time. Become a Member Now!  JOIN NOW!

NEW PODCAST: Women in the Middle ® Entrepreneurs is LIVE! It’s about the reality of running your business after 50. Is this you? We’re looking to interview guests just like you from a wide variety of different businesses! Apply now: www.midlifeinterviews.com . Limited spots are available so be prepared to check back in a few months.  LISTEN HERE for iTunes and HERE for Suzy’s website.

THRIVE IN MIDLIFE: The Women in the Middle ® Happiness Academy: The “Academy” is an exciting, life-changing, six-month, online group coaching program and community for midlife women. You will develop a roadmap to help you go from being unclear about what you want to be crystal clear about how to create a more fun, meaningful, and regret-free next chapter! Head over to www.womeninthemiddleacademy.com and apply and book your free call. I can help you find what’s missing so that you love your life after 50.

HAPPINESS BREAKTHROUGH COACHING SESSION : Imagine having a private 90-minute coaching call to get some solid clarity about what’s holding you back and confidence about your next steps forward!  Time for a breakthrough! Limited spots are available. Book here.

WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE SHOP: https://suzyrosenstein.com/shop/

BUY SUZY’S BOOK: 50 Ways to Celebrate Life after 50: Get unstuck, avoid regrets, and live your best life : www.50waystocelebrate.com and Amazon and other online booksellers.

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Free to Conceive: How to Reclaim Your Fertility and Restore Your Inner Peace Kindle Edition

What if you knew there was a path through your infertility? Dawn Williams is a mom, author, and fertility guide who is passionate about helping women who are longing to conceive. Also known as Your Fertility Angel, she will help you find inner peace on your path to motherhood.

Dawn Williams knows the pains, sorrows, and challenges of the conception journey first-hand. Her exclusive Five-Point Superstar method to overcoming fertility challenges considers more than just the physical reasons that impede conception. In particular, Dawn will help you bring your mind, body, and spirit back into alignment to create the ideal conditions for conception and motherhood to flourish. Her compassionate approach will allow you to transform your relationship with fertility and achieve lasting lightness and joy.

• Print length 235 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publication date April 30, 2023
• File size 3776 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

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Product details.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C3ZKGGKK
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ GraceLight Press (April 30, 2023)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 30, 2023
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 3776 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 235 pages
• #489 in Fertility & Infertility
• #1,010 in Adoption (Kindle Store)
• #1,235 in Fertility

About the author

Dawn williams.

Dawn Williams is a mom, author, and fertility guide who is passionate about helping women who are longing to conceive. Also known as Your Fertility Angel, she will help you find inner peace on your path to motherhood.

Dawn Williams knows the pains, sorrows, and challenges of the conception journey first-hand. Her exclusive Five-Point SuperStar method to overcoming fertility challenges considers more than just the physical reasons that impede conception. In particular, Dawn will help bring your mind, body, and spirit back into alignment to create the ideal conditions for conception and motherhood to flourish. Her compassionate approach will allow you to transform your relationship with fertility and achieve lasting lightness and joy. Dawn is praised for her loving and comforting style of women's wellness coaching that mixes the practical with the spiritual.

Dawn believes extraordinary life emerges when we step into our true selves. Dawn has a master's degree in counseling psychology and is a certified love and authenticity practitioner. Dawn resides with her beloved husband, daughter and three dogs in Eastern Pennsylvania. She has a ravenous appetite for the field of personal development and also enjoys playing tennis and acrylic painting.

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• #SavvyUpTogether - Savvy Up Together

SGBudgetBabe, Dawn Cher, on managing university fees and her popular blog

Reading Dawn’s insightful posts on BudgetBabe , it comes as no surprise that she had dreams of being a writer when she was younger. In her words, she “dreamt of seeing [her words in print, [her] bylines in magazines and newspapers, and eventually going on to publish books of [her] own that would make their way to Popular bookshelves..”.

This mentality also led to her parents declining her desire to pursue media studies before heading to University; even though that was what she knew was relevant to the field she eventually wanted to work in.

The self-driven individual that she is, Dawn made a deal with her parents – she would adhere to their wishes in terms of going to junior college but if she did well enough in her A-levels, they would have to respect her wishes and choice of University course. She went on to graduate top of her school’s cohort with straight A’s… and insisted on doing it her way as she had been promised.

Despite an initial “bump” when her parents told her that they would have no money to pay for her university studies , Dawn went on to get a full scholarship where she was basically paid to study. In fact, she even managed to go overseas for an overseas program by scrimping and saving up, working numerous jobs , approaching an aunt for a loan – all while balancing that with her studies!  

Ironically, this time overseas helped shaped her perspective towards money and personal finance . Aside from the need to save up, she had to watch every cent while overseas because she knew she couldn’t just phone home and ask for money if she ran out of cash. This heightened appreciation of how difficult money was to come by has served an inspiration for many of her posts on Budget Babe!

How did your upbringing lead to your perspective of finances now?

I grew up in a middle-income household where money was always a point of contention. My parents didn’t believe in spoiling us and giving us whatever we wanted, so we had to save up to buy our own toys (or books, in my case) if we wanted anything.

When I was younger, I resented my parents for also giving us less pocket money (compared to what my classmates were getting). Looking back, I’m actually glad that my parents raised me the way they did! If not for their tough love, I might not have appreciated how difficult it is to earn and save money.

Tell us more about your finance blog, SG Budget Babe. How did you get started?

I started my blog in December 2014 out of boredom! At the time, I was at a point in life where I wanted to pursue something meaningful outside of work , and I remember asking my then-boyfriend (now husband)  what I should do.

He was the one who suggested starting a blog, given how much I love writing, and even suggested the idea for my first post (How I Saved $20,000 In A Year)! I didn’t expect that my writing would become such a hit but I’m really thankful that people appreciate the work and effort I put into each and every article!

How has the response been to your blog? Any interesting statistics you have observed regarding your blog? Who is your typical website visitor?

The average monthly visitor count to the blog ranges from about 80,000 to 120,000. I don’t really have detailed statistics on website visits as I’m not doing this full-time, so there is little incentive for me to spend time and money on getting deeper insights on the types of visitors or the duration they spend on the blog, etc.

From my interactions with readers and via my social media channels, however, it seems like the typical website visitor would be a young Singaporean (or Malaysian, or Indonesian, although I’ve no idea how they got to know about my blog) aged anywhere between 17 to 35.

There’s also a good mix of male and female readers although a lot of people seem to be under the impression that my readers are only female!

How do you keep in touch with your reader base?

I make an effort to reply each and every email or comment from my readers, and try to respond ideally to the day if I have the time!

How do you come up with fresh content ideas for your blog?

A lot of what I write about revolve around issues that I’m personally concerned about. For example, whether it is better to buy insurance through an agent or directly, how to budget for a wedding , what type of investments  I should look at, what risks are involved with different investment instruments, etc.

Sometimes, brands also approach me to write a review of their offerings, such as high-yield saving accounts or the latest value deals.

Inspiration can come from anywhere! I also get a lot of ideas from readers, as their questions can sometimes lead to an entirely new blog post! For instance, I got to know of DBS’ Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) promotion simply because a reader asked for my thoughts on it!

Any memorable stories to share your blogging experience or the interaction you have had with your readers?

I really love hearing from readers about how my blog has inspired them and shared one of my favourite stories here.

How do you deal with criticism or hate mail from people who read your blog?

I generally ignore them, but sometimes I address them. You can read about that in this post.

Was your university education beneficial to your work today? Which courses have proven the most valuable to you in your work?

Yes, definitely. It taught me a lot about the media;  what the media should stand for, the bigger role and influence that the media has on society and why we should be careful with our words. I think the most valuable module was on Media Law where issues about defamation online were addressed.

What is the most useful tip you received/ follow when you manage your money?

Pay yourself first every month. I do this by setting up different bank accounts for expenses and savings. This was something I picked up during my university days when I needed to save up for my exchange studies – by setting aside my savings first and only spending whatever was left, it was a lot easier to make sure I did not overspend.

What are your top financial priorities and how do you go about planning for them?

Saving up for our future house , building an emergency fund to guard against unexpected hospitalisation (my husband and I are single-handedly shouldering the financial burden of 3.5 parents), preparing for retiremen t , and building up a steady stream of passive income so we can both retire by the age of 45.

Tell us more about your financial portfolio.

I have a small portion in ETFs and the bulk of my money in equities.

Do you invest? What is your risk appetite?

Yes. Moderate, given that I’m investing long term. However, I do not dabble in volatile instruments like shorts or speculative. At this point,  I am also not vested in cryptocurrencies.

What will you like to learn more financially?

Personal finance is a never-ending journey.

How can we improve women’s relationship with money?

By empowering them to believe that they have the ability to become financially independent.

Top 3 finance-related books you deem a must-read for everyone and why?

Millionaire Teacher (by Andrew Hallam), The Intelligent Investor, and One Up On Wall Street.

I’ve also detailed my top picks here.

What is your greatest indulgence?

Movies (in the cinemas) and travelling.

Give us a parting quote!

If you don’t take care of your money, no one else will.

Take a look at Dawn’s #SavvyUpTogether journey as Yasmin’s financial expert! 

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