However, everything was worthwhile when the “miracle” twin sons showed up. After unsuccessfully trying to conceive for a year on their own, Ashley Howards-Heimbuch, 34, and her husband Alex Heimbuch, sought medical assistance in January 2018 after learning that both of Ashley’s fallopian tubes were flat. In Detroit, Michigan, Ashley was informed that she had little possibility of conceiving naturally. The best option ultimately turned out to be IVF, but the couple was aware they couldn’t pay for it themselves.

To raise the £60,000 they ultimately needed for six IVF cycles, they have conducted hundreds of fundraising activities over the past three years and taken out personal loans.

“Since we have almost no insurance,” Ashley stated, “We have racked up medical debt of about £75k over the last almost three years trying to become parents.” We borrowed about £16,000 ($20,000) to help us pay for our medical expenses and realize our ambition of starting a family; the remaining amount was paid in cash by us, financed by planning fundraising events and using credit cards.

After four unsuccessful IVF efforts, they made a fifth attempt, which had to be stopped midway through due to the discovery of a benign tumor on Ashley’s uterus.

In order to further reduce the tumor, Ashley had to have surgery to remove 50% of it. She also took medication for nearly two months. When they discovered it, I was very stunned and felt so defeated. What else could be going on, I wondered? The doctor at the time informed us that it had been present and expanding for some time; I can’t believe it had previously been disregarded so frequently.

I held a mourning party for a few days; I couldn’t stop thinking that if this had been found in advance we could have succeeded sooner and saved so much money. But I had to change my mind; I had to think that this could be the answer to the problems. I was a lot more hopeful and positive after that. The couple persisted and started their sixth round of IVF last October. To their amazement, the couple discovered that not only was the IVF a success, but Ashley was expecting twins.

Ashley’s pregnancy was challenging because she was diagnosed with an uncommon ailment called an incarcerated uterus at 14 weeks and had to have surgery. After the surgery, she spent nearly a month in the hospital since I had issues including Group B Strep and E-coli. I lay in bed after getting home and experienced terrible anxiety and PTSD for the remainder of my pregnancy.

In June 2020, the couple welcomed two sons: River Heimbuch, weighing 5lbs 11oz, and Brooks Heimbuch, weighing 5lbs 2oz. Ashley is currently struggling with postpartum depression, but she is grateful to have a son after everything she and Alex have been through.

“After going through the first few rounds of IVF, I became an expert when it came to all the physical effects,” she said. ‘I’m used to the fatigue, nausea and pain from the shots.

We were overjoyed after all we had been through; I’m so relieved that we finally made it. We’re not just having one child, we’re going to have two. I cannot believe it. We love them so much and we feel so grateful to have them here with us.