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By Daniella Gray
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A woman from Sacramento, California, is going viral on the internet for sharing the physical and emotional reality of battling infertility through daily hormone injections.
Maryam Khatami, 36, posted a video on Instagram that shows her husband administering some shots in her abdomen, while others appear to have taken place in a doctor's office. Translated from Persian to English, Khatami wrote in her caption: "You can clearly see from my face how much less I could handle each passing day."
Alongside her own struggles, the blogger told Newsweek how her husband's battle with two types of cancer impacted their path to parenthood. "Before starting his chemotherapy, he banked his sperm. As a result, there are two options (IUI or IVF), since we need to use the sperm he had banked," she said.
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After three unsuccessful IUI cycles, the couple decided to pursue IVF. "This process has been both lengthy and stressful, and it is quite costly, amounting to approximately $35,000, which is unfortunately not covered by insurance," Khatami told Newsweek.
So far, she has completed the egg retrieval phase and is awaiting embryo implantation. Khatami told Newsweek that she initially thought it would only take about two to three months, but it has now stretched to over five to six months.
"Right before the embryo implantation, my doctor found out through a blood test that I have a thyroid problem, which is quite serious and can lead to miscarriage. Because of this, I need to take medication for six weeks, which makes the process even longer than usual," she said.
Beyond the physical demands, Khatami also shared her advice on dealing with the emotional toll of the IVF process and how maintaining a sense of calm is "essential" for others.
"The hormonal medications involved can make it challenging to manage emotions and sensitivity. Therefore, I recommend that those on this journey consider practices like meditation to promote calmness and relaxation," the 36-year-old said.
Her clip went completely viral on Instagram, amassing nearly 30 million views on the platform, as well as thousands of messages of support.
One user shared that they too have been through IVF "multiple times". Eventually, she had twins after 15 years of trying. "Stay strong and never lose hope," they added. Another user who goes by @nastaranpermanent on Instagram wrote in Persian: "I'm sure the best of the best is waiting for you."
"Partners play a crucial role in providing support and understanding throughout this experience," Khatami told Newsweek.
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