A Journey of Love and Struggle
Megan and Ryan Lamour, a couple from Northern Ireland, have spent years trying to start a family. Now in their late 20s, they say the journey has taken over their lives, leaving little room for the joys of youth. Their story is one of love, heartbreak, and an ongoing battle with fertility challenges.
The couple met when they were just 16 years old, and they quickly realized they were meant for each other. They moved in together in 2020 and decided to try for a baby soon after. However, by March 2022, they had not been able to conceive. A GP later revealed that Ryan had a low sperm count, giving them only a 0.5% chance of conceiving naturally. This news marked the beginning of a long and difficult path.
The Impact of IVF on Their Lives
After two failed rounds of IVF, Megan and Ryan are now considering private treatment. They believe it’s the only way to explore other options if the next round doesn’t work. But the financial and emotional toll of IVF has been immense. Megan says the process has robbed them of the ability to enjoy their 20s. They’ve had to cancel trips, skip their honeymoon, and focus all their energy on treatment.
“It’s taken all the excitement, fun and privacy of trying for a baby,” Megan said. “It’s taken over our life, it’s stopped us planning anything and living our life. It’s given us darkness.”
For Megan, the struggle is made harder by seeing friends and classmates having children. She feels a deep desire to give her parents their first grandchild, but the pressure of IVF has made it hard to focus on anything else.
A Chemical Pregnancy and the Road to Diagnosis
Their journey began with a chemical pregnancy in March 2022. Megan tested positive, but the pregnancy ended quickly. This experience was heartbreaking, and it pushed Ryan to take action. He ordered an at-home sperm test, which showed his sperm count was too low to conceive. When they saw a GP, the diagnosis confirmed what they feared — Ryan had a low sperm count.
Ryan described the moment as tough. “I feel more guilt than anything else, because the issue’s on my side,” he said. “You do feel guilty, because all I want is to be able to give Megan the gift of being a mother.”
Navigating the NHS IVF Process
In September 2022, the couple was added to the NHS waiting list for IVF. They were told it could take three to four months before they could get an appointment. In November 2023, they got married, and in the same month, they were called in for their first consultation.
Megan explained that in Northern Ireland, they are only entitled to one free IVF cycle. However, if they have frozen embryos, they can continue the process until they run out. The consultant prescribed Megan with norethisterone to control her cycle, followed by daily injections to prepare her eggs for retrieval.
On March 7, 2024, Megan underwent egg retrieval. They collected 10 eggs, six of which were fertilized. Five days later, one embryo was transferred, and two were frozen. However, two weeks later, they received the devastating news that the transfer had failed.
A Second Failure and New Plans
The second transfer, scheduled for November 2024, also failed. With only one frozen embryo left, the couple is now considering private IVF. They have set aside money that was originally meant for their honeymoon and started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds.
Megan said they are looking into a private clinic that offers two unlimited IVF tries and a partial refund if there’s no live birth. “As far as further plans go, we’ll see how this journey goes for another two years,” she said. “If we can’t do anymore, we’ll maybe look into adoption.”
Ryan added, “All I can do is hold Megan’s hand through this; it’s been horrible to watch. There’s still hope — with our NHS chances running out, it’s crazy money. But I can’t put into words how much it would mean to have this baby — I’d give anything to be a dad.”
