Erika Arnhart’s Fertility Journey
My name is Erika Arnhart, and this is my story.
My husband, Rob, and I had been married three years when we decided it was time to start a family. I was 34 at the time, and we understood we couldn't wait forever, but I don't think either of us anticipated the problems we would encounter trying to conceive.
We were ultimately referred to Dr. John Jarrett at Indiana Fertility Institute. After our initial testing, I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, one of which was the size of a grapefruit. One surgery and six weeks of recovery later, we thought we were finally in the clear, but unfortunately, that was not the case.
From IUIs to IVF
After three failed intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles and a lot of pain and disappointment, Dr. Jarrett encouraged us to consider in vitro fertilization (IVF). This proved to be the best course for our family. Our first egg retrieval resulted in two viable embryos. Both were transferred in April 2014.
I found out I was pregnant late on a Monday afternoon while I was still at work. By the time I received the phone call from the clinic, I was convinced that the news would not be positive - I went from anxious and fearful to angry. However, it was good news, and I can only imagine what passerby thought as they saw my myriad of emotions.
Soon after hanging up, I went to my car to head home and the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams was playing. Dance? I felt like I could fly!
Our daughter, Aubrey, was born in December of that year!
Trying for a Sibling
About 18 months after Aubrey was born, Rob and I hoped we could conceive again on our own—but it wasn’t happening. We returned to Dr. Jarrett, who recommended a new plan that included genetic testing.
Our second and final egg retrieval gave us four chromosomally normal embryos. We decided to transfer them one at a time. The first transfer didn’t take, and while the second resulted in positive pregnancy tests, it sadly didn’t progress to a viable pregnancy.
Pushing Through the Heartbreak
One of my greatest desires was to give Aubrey a sibling, and after our miscarriage, I was afraid that wouldn’t be possible. However, we regrouped with Dr. Jarrett. He remained confident and laid out a new plan for us that ultimately paid off. Our third transfer, in March 2017, was successful! When I found out I was pregnant with our second daughter, I was over the moon excited, relieved, and thankful that God gave me the truest desire of my heart. Our daughter Everly was born in November and we love her SO MUCH!
Our Experience with IFI and Dr. Jarrett
What struck me the most about Dr. Jarrett was his confidence. If he believes he can help you, he will say so—and then demonstrates an unwavering commitment to see things through, as far as medically possible.
At our very first consultation, just as he was about to leave the room, he turned and said, “I got this.” And he did.
Later, as we prepared for our final transfer—still raw from our miscarriage and full of fear—he wouldn’t even entertain a Plan B. He said, “Nope. Not going down that road just yet. This will work."
And it did.
A Grateful Heart
Our family is complete, and we have Dr. Jarrett to thank. What he and his teams at both the (then) Carle and Indiana Fertility Institute facilities do is nothing short of miraculous.
We will always be grateful for their help, and we hope that by sharing our story, other couples will be encouraged to keep the faith in their own journey.
I pray that everyone who reads our story will keep the faith and follow their own journey to its completion, whatever that is! This is such a personal journey, and everyone knows what feels right for them and their family.
