Named Best In Vitro Fertility Practice by FourLeaf Best of Long Island. Learn more.
Named Best In Vitro Fertility Practice by Best of LI. Learn more.
Fertility Stories of Hope and Resilience at RMA of New York – Long Island
If you're thinking of going through IVF, expect twists and turns. Surround yourself with the right team and the best doctors to help you navigate them.
It can be long, but the journey is worth it.
Ashley’s story is one of resilience and hope. After facing heartbreaking setbacks on the path to parenthood, she turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF). and found the support she needed to keep going. Today, Ashley is the proud mom of her daughter, Penny — a long-awaited dream finally realized.
If you're thinking of going through IVF, expect twists and turns. Surround yourself with the right team and the best doctors to help you navigate them.
It can be long, but the journey is worth it.
I’ve known for as long as I can remember that I wanted to be a mother. When my husband, Steve, and I started building our life together, becoming parents was always part of the plan.
But our journey was far more difficult than we ever imagined. We endured a miscarriage, undiagnosed uterine polyps, a canceled intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycle during the pandemic, and the stillbirth of our son, Christopher. Each loss left us devastated. We felt overlooked and dismissed by the providers we had been seeing. We needed something to change.
A friend recommended RMA of New York – Long Island, and from our very first conversation, I finally felt seen. My doctor acknowledged our grief and made us feel like we weren’t alone. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could hope again.
We moved forward with in vitro fertilization (IVF). While waiting on the results of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), I became pregnant naturally, but sadly, that pregnancy also ended in miscarriage. After a D&C and a follow-up procedure to remove uterine scar tissue, we tried again. Our first embryo transfer resulted in another pregnancy, but heartbreakingly, it too ended in miscarriage.
Despite everything, our care team never gave up on us. With their encouragement, we tried once more. That final embryo transfer worked – and this time, the pregnancy held. We were closely monitored by a high-risk pregnancy specialist who helped ensure we had the extra support we needed.
Our daughter, Penny, was born on Thanksgiving Day. We call her our “Lucky Penny,” a name that reminds us of everything we overcame to bring her into this world. She is the joy and light of our lives. Becoming her mother has brought meaning back into my days and filled our home with laughter. The road was long, but every step led us to her, and for that, we are endlessly grateful.
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There are many roads to becoming a parent, and mine was hard. My experience with breast cancer, and my fertility and surrogacy journey, turned me into the woman and mother I am today.
Sarrah’s journey began with a cancer diagnosis that threatened her ability to have children. Thanks to oncofertility and fertility preservation before treatment, she was able to protect her dream of becoming a mother. Years later, she welcomed her son, Chance, with the help of a gestational surrogate.
Learn More about Oncofertility
There are many roads to becoming a parent, and mine was hard. My experience with breast cancer, and my fertility and surrogacy journey, turned me into the woman and mother I am today.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 38, I didn’t realize how much it could impact my fertility. It wasn’t until my surgical team referred me for fertility preservation that I learned chemotherapy might leave me unable to have biological children.
That referral changed everything. I met with a fertility specialist who explained my options and worked closely with my oncology team to move quickly. I was able to complete two rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) before starting cancer treatment, and we were able to freeze one precious embryo.
After going into remission, I was incredibly grateful for my health, but another hurdle remained. The treatment had left me infertile, and I wouldn’t be able to carry a pregnancy. Still, I wasn’t ready to give up on becoming a parent. With the help of the clinic’s third-party reproduction team, my partner James and I were able to match with a wonderful gestational surrogate.
The embryo transfer was successful, and soon we were holding our baby boy, Chance. Every time I look at him, I’m reminded of the strength it took to get here. He truly is our miracle, and I’m so thankful for the care and guidance that helped make him possible.
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I kept dreaming of a little baby boy. When I look at him, I am so thankful for RMA, for my partner's insurance, and for the physicians who helped bring him here safely.
Kyla’s path to motherhood wasn’t easy – she faced PCOS, multiple miscarriages, one in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, and three embryo transfers before finally welcoming her son, Krew. Through it all, she’s grateful for the unwavering support she received from her care team.
I kept dreaming of a little baby boy. When I look at him, I am so thankful for RMA, for my partner's insurance, and for the physicians who helped bring him here safely.
My partner, Joseph, and I met young and fell in love quickly. When I had a surprise pregnancy early in our relationship, we were thrilled, until it ended in miscarriage at five weeks. The loss made us realize just how much we wanted to build a family together.
After a few years of trying, I became pregnant again, but heartbreakingly, it ended in another miscarriage around the same time. My OB/GYN reassured me that miscarriages were common, especially given my age, but something didn’t feel right. I couldn’t shake the feeling that we needed to dig deeper.
Joseph was the one who first brought up the idea of IVF. We were fortunate to learn that his insurance covered fertility treatments, which helped make the decision easier. After doing some research, I booked a consultation.
From the start of my journey with RMA of New York – Long Island, I felt truly cared for. I connected with my doctor and felt confident in our plan. We completed one round of in vitro fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and had nine embryos. The first two transfers, both girl embryos, ended in disappointment: one didn’t implant, and the other resulted in a miscarriage.
During that time, I kept dreaming of a baby boy. For our third attempt, we decided to transfer a male embryo, and it worked. That pregnancy brought us our son, Krew.
Our journey had its share of heartache, but the support we received made all the difference. Looking at Krew now, I know every step was worth it.
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If you know you want kids now or in the future, you should feel empowered to take charge of your journey. Fertility preservation has done that for me.
At 33, Carissa made the empowering decision to freeze her eggs, giving herself the freedom to start a family on her own timeline. With support from her care team, she preserved her fertility and gained peace of mind for the future.
If you know you want kids now or in the future, you should feel empowered to take charge of your journey. Fertility preservation has done that for me.
Get the full story on The Journey Is Worth It in our latest press release.
April 11, 2025, New York, NY - For over 25 years, RMA of New York, which serves as the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Mount Sinai Health System, has helped patients achieve their family-building goals. Whether navigating pregnancy loss, oncofertility, fertility preservation, or workplace fertility benefits, our patients’ journeys are united by strength, patience, and hope.
RMA of New York has partnered with four patients and their families to empower them to share their transformative fertility journeys in a series of meaningful, docu-style, short format films. These inspiring stories highlight the various ways infertility and fertility preservation can impact patients’ lives and underscore the resilience, hope, and medical expertise needed to make the journey worth it. As National Infertility Awareness Week approaches, now is the perfect time to share these powerful experiences and reduce stigma surrounding reproductive health challenges.
Ashley, a former contestant on The Bachelor, experienced multiple pregnancy losses when initially trying to start her family. These unfortunate circumstances took a profound emotional and physical toll on Ashley, yet she never lost sight of the importance of having a support system throughout her long journey. “The pain of losing a child you never got to meet is unlike anything else. But sharing my story and talking about my experience has helped me feel less alone,” Ashely says. After meeting and receiving care from Lucky Sekhon, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist at RMA of New York and Assistant Clinical Professor in the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Ashley had a successful transfer and with the support of Joanne Stone, MD, MS, Director of the Mount Sinai—Rainbow Clinic and System Chair of the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at the Icahn School, welcomed a daughter, her “lucky” Penny. The Mount Sinai—Rainbow Clinic, which provides emotional support and advanced medical attention, is a refuge for parents who have previously experienced perinatal loss.
When Sarrah received a life-altering diagnosis from her breast surgeon, Elisa Port, MD, FACS, Chief of Breast Surgery for the Mount Sinai Health System and Director of the Dubin Breast Center, Sarrah felt uncertain about her health and the future of her fertility because cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can often harm the reproductive system and put fertility at risk. Sarrah was referred to RMA of New York to expedite fertility preservation treatment and her family-building journey. Under the guidance of her Reproductive Endocrinologist, Erkan Buyuk, MD, Clinical Professor in the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at the Icahn School and Fellowship Director, Sarrah and her partner, James, transferred their one healthy embryo to a surrogate and fortunately welcomed their son into the world. Reflecting on the experience, Sarrah shares: “I never imagined that my cancer journey would also lead to a path toward motherhood, but thanks to the oncofertility options available to me, I was given the chance to create the family of my dreams.”
Carissa, a successful professional in her late 30s, decided to safeguard her fertility with egg freezing and focus on her career. Guided by Taraneh Nazem, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor in the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at the Icahn School, she found confidence in her reproductive future. “Egg freezing has given me control of my reproductive future. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself because it’s allowed me to focus on my career and personal goals without the pressure of a ticking biological clock,” she explains. Driven by her passion for women’s health and empowerment, Carissa turned her positive experience into action, advocating for workplace benefits and encouraging her colleagues and friends to take charge of their reproductive health. Her story emphasizes the importance of seeking a fertility work-up at a younger age to better understand family-building options available now or in the future.
After experiencing pregnancy loss, Kyla and her partner yearned to grow their family and were fortunate to learn they had access to coverage through state employee benefits. Without hesitation, Kyla sought the services and expertise of Rachel Gerber, MD, a Reproductive Endocrinologist at RMA of New York – Westchester and Assistant Clinical Professor in the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at the Icahn School. Through Dr. Gerber’s critical care and the support of family, Kyla and her partner welcomed a baby boy born just last year. “The fertility benefits offered at Joseph’s company were a game-changer. Having access to treatment options without the financial burden allowed us to start our family on our terms,” shares Kyla. Their story underscores the importance of fertility benefits as a critical part of comprehensive healthcare in modern workplaces and the need for broader coverage to help employees facing fertility challenges.
By sharing these powerful stories, RMA of New York aims to foster open conversations about fertility, break the stigma surrounding infertility, and advocate for improved healthcare and workplace support. The goal is to inspire others to seek help, speak out, and take charge of their reproductive health with confidence. [link to campaign: rmany.com/ourjourney]
RMA of New York is widely recognized as a global leader in state-of-the-art reproductive medicine and serves as the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Led by an integrated team of physicians and scientists with extensive reproductive endocrinology, infertility, and embryology training and experience, RMA of New York is renowned for its pioneering research in the field and for delivering high IVF success rates. For over two decades, the physicians of RMA of New York have consistently been distinguished as Top Doctors and Super Doctors by Castle Connolly and New York Magazine. Headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, RMA of New York has fertility clinic locations throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester, Long Island and is partnered with US Fertility and its network of premier reproductive medicine practices. For more information, please visit www.rmany.com or find RMA of New York on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with 48,000 employees working across seven hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 600 research and clinical labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time—discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.
Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians and 11 free-standing joint-venture centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida. Hospitals within the System are consistently ranked by Newsweek’s® “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals, Best in State Hospitals, World Best Hospitals and Best Specialty Hospitals” and by U.S. News & World Report's® “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals.” The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report® “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll for 2024-2025.
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In my early twenties, I moved from Seattle to New York to pursue a career in fashion. Over the next decade, I built a life I loved, filled with meaningful work, close friendships, and a passion for running.
At 33, I started thinking seriously about fertility preservation. I knew I wanted to have children one day, but I also knew I wasn’t willing to settle down with the wrong partner just because of timing. Unfortunately, my job at the time didn’t offer fertility benefits, so I began looking for a new role – one that included coverage for reproductive care. Once I found it, I scheduled a consultation for egg freezing.
I immediately felt like I was in the right hands. My doctor even worked with me to plan the timing of my egg retrievals around my marathon training schedule, knowing how important running was to me.
The flexibility and convenience of care made a big difference. I was able to visit monitoring locations close to work and home, and no matter where I went, I felt supported by the entire care team.
After two cycles, we had successfully frozen a solid number of eggs. The process was both physically and emotionally intense, but I’m so grateful I took this step. It gave me peace of mind and the freedom to build my future on my own terms. Today, I try to be a resource and voice of encouragement for other women considering fertility preservation.
The integrated clinical team at RMA of New York – Long Island is dedicated to supporting you throughout your reproductive journey. Practicing evidence-based, data-driven precision medicine, our team of physicians, nurses, and embryologists collaborate with our patient service coordinators, nutritionists, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to help make your personal family-building goals a reality.
It’s never too early to learn about your fertility and reproductive options.
Patient-centric reproductive medicine is our specialty, and we look forward to answering any questions you may have.
