When my husband Chad and I first moved to Tennessee, we couldn’t wait to start a family. I had just signed on to teach third grade at a local elementary School, and Chad had transferred to Memphis with ServiceMaster when the company’s headquarters relocated. We were beginning a new, exciting life together in the Mid-South and we were ready to have a baby.

In 2008, when I was 29 years old, we started trying to conceive. For me, getting pregnant wasn’t the problem ‒ but staying pregnant became a huge issue. We would conceive and even hear the baby’s heartbeat, but around nine or 10 weeks during the pregnancy we would lose the baby. I felt devastated and wanted answers.

After my third miscarriage, I was referred to Dr. William Kutteh at Fertility Associates of Memphis. We met with him, discussed my issues, and completed a comprehensive fertility evaluation. In addition to my other disorders, he discovered through an ultrasound that I had something called a septate uterus, a malformation that kept causing my miscarriages. To my surprise, Dr. Kutteh could easily remove my uterine septum with a relatively simple outpatient “same day surgery” procedure.

In August 2011, I delivered a beautiful, healthy girl. Our daughter Emerson was born, and this summer she turns two years old.  To have my sweet miracle baby is a dream come true. She has been such a blessing and has added so much joy to our lives.

I now understand just how important it is to open up and share our infertility stories. Chad and I found the most comfort in talking with others who had gone through similar experiences and understood our frustrations. Infertility can lead you on a sad and lonely journey, but we made the decision to shed more light on infertility and help others, letting them know that their feelings are normal.

I had a very positive experience with Fertility Associates of Memphis. Dr. Kutteh is matter-of-fact and methodical, and I knew I was in good hands and being given the best care possible as a patient. My husband and I haven’t ruled out trying to have another baby in the near future, but for now we’re relishing each moment and enjoying life with our toddler. We finally have the baby we wanted so badly, and we’re thankful every day. Miracles happen.

Alissa Pinne