Within 3 IVF cycles in Sweden Phoebe and Aaron had only one fertilized egg.
The couple came to OLGA Clinic when Phoebe was 39 and her AMH was 0,7 mcg/l.
Within 3 IVF cycles with their own eggs and sperm at OLGA Clinic we obtained 16 mature eggs, 6 blastocysts and a baby.
In Sweden
In OLGA Clinic:
For Phoebe and Aaron, the dream of parenthood began nearly eleven years ago when they first met in 2015. At 31, Phoebe was optimistic, seeing friends conceive easily and assuming her own journey would be just as straightforward when the time came. However, after several years of waiting, the couple faced a reality that was far more challenging than they ever imagined.
Phoebe:
"We met about 11 years ago, in 2015. We both always knew we wanted children, but we were focused on our careers and hadn't met the right person yet. When I met Aaron, I was very open about my desire to become a mother. During the beginning of our relationship, we thought we had plenty of time, so we decided to wait a few more years. I was 31 when we first met and many of my friends were getting pregnant quite easily, so I assumed it would be the same for us when we started to try.
When we decided to start trying, I was full of optimism. I truly believed it would happen quickly. Even when we moved on to IVF, I thought, "This will work right away." But after three unsuccessful IVF cycles in Sweden with only one transfer and no viable embryos from the other cycles, its reality hit me hard emotionally, and that's when the panic started."
The Emotional Toll of Repeated Failure
The couple initially sought help in Sweden, where they underwent three grueling IVF cycles. The results were devastating. Out of three egg retrievals they achieved only one fertilized egg and a single embryo transfer that did not lead to pregnancy.
Phoebe recalls this period as a time of "panic" and emotional exhaustion. "In my case, I went through each IVF stimulation with so much hope, only to end up with no embryos to transfer, which was beyond devastating," she shared. Feeling "broken, sad, and hopeless," she began to think that motherhood might never happen to her.
Phoebe:
"Up until that point, I had tried to stay strong by holding everything inside. I knew I couldn’t afford to break down if we wanted to keep going, but after those three failed attempts, I was emotionally exhausted and was not taking care of myself the way I should have. It was during this time that we were recommended to the Olga Clinic by a friend. I admit, I was skeptical. I thought maybe it worked for others, but not for us. Our previous doctor had even suggested just one more egg retrieval before moving on to egg donation. But I wasn’t ready to give up on my own eggs."
A New Approach at OLGA Clinic
Following a recommendation from a friend, Phoebe and Aaron turned to OLGA Clinic. Though Phoebe was initially skeptical, the couple immediately felt a "huge difference" in the care they received. Unlike their previous experiences, the team at OLGA — including Dr. Anna Gusareva and Dr. Pavel Semenov — expressed a firm belief in the couple's ability to conceive using their own eggs and sperm.
In OLGA Clinic:
Phoebe:
"From our very first meeting with the doctors at the clinic, we already felt a huge difference. They were kind, compassionate, and most importantly… believed in us, which made such a difference. During IVF, you can often feel broken, sad, and hopeless, so having a team that truly supports you matters more than one can imagine."
Supplements to boost egg and sperm competence and vitality
A Personalised Medical Strategy
The clinic implemented a highly personalised medical strategy:
- Supplementation: Both Phoebe and Aaron began a regimen of supplements, including Coenzyme Q10 and Myoinositol, to boost egg and sperm vitality.
- Tailored Stimulation: Doctors used estrogen priming to ensure follicles grew synchronously and a specific protocol of Gonal F and Menopur.
- The Results: This approach yielded incredible results. In three retrievals at OLGA, they collected 16 mature (MII) eggs, which led to 13 successful fertilizations and 6 blastocysts.
Finding the "Little Miracle"
While they finally had embryos, the journey wasn't over. PGT-A testing revealed that five of the blastocysts were aneuploid (chromosomally abnormal). This left the couple with only one usable embryo: a low-level mosaic trisomy 17 blastocyst.
Out of 6 blastocysts received in 3 IVF cycles, 5 were aneuploid and one low-level mosaic trisomy 17 blastocyst was available.
Optimizing the Soil Before Planting the Seed
Knowing they had only one chance, the medical team focused on "optimizing the soil" before planting the seed. A thorough investigation of Phoebe's uterus revealed a polyp and signs of chronic inflammation (endometritis). After a successful hysteroscopy to remove the polyp and a course of antibiotics and probiotics to cure the inflammation, Phoebe's body was finally ready.
The Power of Support and Mindset
Throughout this intense process, Phoebe focused on her mental health, supported by the clinic's psychologist, Tatiana. Phoebe adopted a daily mantra that shifted her perspective: "Or what if it all works out? Anticipate good things coming your way."
She also learned the importance of "Plan B and Plan C," which gave her a sense of control amidst the uncertainty. With Aaron as her "rock," she moved forward with the transfer in March 2025.
Phoebe:
"For me, the hardest part of the journey was being constantly thrown back and forth between hope and despair. In my case, I went through each IVF stimulation with so much hope, only to end up with no embryos to transfer, which was beyond devastating.
At first, I didn't know how to handle those feelings, and I kept everything inside. But later, I discovered how important it was to allow yourself to feel.
This process comes with so many emotions, and it's okay to have bad days. I had days where I couldn't get out of bed, and instead of fighting it, I learned to accept it, rest, watch a feel-good movie, take a walk, and then get up the next day and keep going. IVF is a full-time job!
One thing that really helped me was speaking to a psychologist at the clinic. I had never done that before, and I wasn't sure it would help, but it truly did. Having someone to open up to and guide me through my emotions made an enormous difference. Tatiana, at Olga Clinic, is amazing and helped me so much, and was a wonderful benefit offered free of charge.
Another thing that helped me was having a plan. I'm a planner by nature, so creating Plan B and Plan C gave me a sense of control. It made the uncertainty a little easier to manage. For example, if after a certain amount of tries my own eggs didn't work, then I would move on to egg donation.
Phoebe:
"And through it all, my husband was my rock. Having each other, being able to talk openly, and supporting one another made a huge difference in getting through this together.
I also had a simple quote that became my mantra every day: "Or what if it all works out? Anticipate good things coming your way." I read it every day and believed that we would finally have our long-awaited child.
During IVF, it's so easy to think about everything that could go wrong. I tried to shift my mindset and focus on what could go right instead.
It's also important to protect your energy. Surround yourself with people who support you and try to distance yourself from negativity. This journey is hard enough, and you don't need anything outside your circle adding to that weight."
Phoebe:
"It can feel very isolating at times, but connecting with others who have gone through IVF helped me feel less alone. And today, having our beautiful daughter, I can honestly say that everything we went through was worth it.
I now wake up every morning with amazement that we made it through. And when you finally hold your child, knowing how hard you fought, it makes that moment even more special.
If I could say something to my 2022–2024 self, it would be this: "don't lose hope, allow yourself to feel everything, believe in your journey, ask for help, and just keep going… because one way or another, it can happen for you!""
A Beautiful Success
The single mosaic embryo transfer was a success on the very first attempt. In November 2025, Phoebe and Aaron's "long-awaited child," a beautiful daughter named Ella Grace, was born.
Reflecting on the journey, Phoebe encourages others not to lose hope: "Don't lose hope, allow yourself to feel everything, believe in your journey, ask for help, and just keep going… because one way or another, it can happen for you!" Today, she wakes up every morning in amazement, holding the "little miracle" that made every struggle worth it.
Phoebe:
"Finally, we both want to say, choosing the right IVF clinic truly matters. From the day we began our journey with OLGA, we felt fully supported, clearly heard, and honestly cared for, which made ALL the difference. In choosing OLGA, we had doctors who made the extra effort to fine tune and personalize our specific case, which steered the outcome toward a beautiful success story. We are forever grateful to Dr Olga and her team, Dr Anna Gusareva and Dr Pavel Semenov, who were all fully supportive of us throughout our entire journey. Because of their expertise, belief in us and the gift of science we now get to hold our little miracle every day!"
Acknowledgements
- Dr. Anna Gusareva, for analyzing all the data from Phoebe and Aaron and believing in their success using their own eggs and own sperm
- Dr. Pavel Semenov, for creating exceptionally competent eggs which made it possible to achieve excellent fertilization by ICSI and grow viable blastocysts
- Dr. Anna Gusareva, for excellent embryology
- Dr. Andreas Bazeos, for thorough hysteroscopy
- Dr. Pavel Semenov, for diagnostics and optimization of the uterine environment and individualized preparation for embryo transfer, which made it possible to achieve implantation and an ongoing pregnancy on the very first embryo transfer
- Olga Malysheva and Dr. Olga Romanova, for following through the whole pregnancy
- Darya Ivanova, for communication, logistics, coordination and support at a distance
- To Phoebe and Aaron for strong will and dedication, trust in the process and the Team, mutual love and support without which this beautiful baby Ella would not have been possible
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