Updated on February 27, 2025
Marie shed tears of joy during her beat echo scan when she saw her baby’s tiny heartbeat for the first time.
She said: “I was very excited when I had the ultrasound with my gynecologist.
“He took a lot of time and when I discovered the fluttering, I had to cry with joy and relief.”
Marie was just entering her ninth week of pregnancy when Fertility Road caught up with her to find out how her journey was progressing following her embryo transfer at Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech Pilsen on February 26th.
She said: “I tested from the sixth day after the transfer because I couldn’t stand it any longer – I was speechless and overwhelmed that it finally worked.”
Marie has been fortunate enough to avoid some of the more unpleasant early pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness.
She said: “I’ve had almost no symptoms, except a little pulling in the uterus sometimes and there was some back pain in the beginning.”
Once again, Marie was full of praise for all the team at Next Fertility IVF, adding: “My experience has been perfect. They are always there for me, and have been kind and friendly.”
Congratulations Marie, from everyone here at Fertility Road.
Updated on February 27, 2025
Marie took an important step on her fertility journey when she returned to Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech Pilsen for her embryo transfer last month.
Marie was in good spirits ahead of the transfer, which took place on February 26th.
She told Fertility Road: “I couldn’t sleep the night before, because I was so excited.”
Although the procedure itself was straightforward, Marie says she found the treatment to increase the lining of her uterus “a little bit painful”. But overall, she is feeling positive.
“Physically, I feel very good and don´t feel the medications,” she said. “Sometimes it feels like it isn´t real, that I already had the transfer and on other days, I can’t wait to have the result.
“I’m already loving that little embryo in me!”
Speaking about the care from the Next Fertility IVF team, Marie said: “The team, and especially the doctor who made the transfer, were so kind. It was a wonderful experience.”
Updated on December 9, 2024
Marie and her then-partner made the journey from Germany to the Czech Republic for their first appointment at Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech Pilsen earlier this month.
The couple travelled to Pilsen on December 9th to meet the team that would be looking after them for the next few months.
During their trip, the couple enjoyed the sights and sounds of the historic city, including Pilsen’s magical Christmas market.
Marie said the couple was impressed with the service at Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech and hoped to begin treatment early next year.
She said: “Everything went well at the clinic, they were very kind.
“They are searching now for a donor and we can hopefully start around February.”
Updated on December 6, 2024
Marie-Cristine from Hamburg, Germany, is one of the finalists of the Fertility Journeys Project. She initially embarked on this path with her partner, but after an unexpected and difficult breakup, she found the strength to continue her journey on her own.
Despite the challenges, her determination and resilience have led her to continue the Fertility Journey as a single woman, embracing hope for the future.
Marie is a talented professional singer and stage actress, thriving in a career she loves. Yet, alongside her successes, she has always carried a dream to create her own little family. She shared: “I’ve always known I wanted to try to have a child. I wasn’t worried at first because my mother had me at 42. I thought I had time.”
But after a year of trying naturally without success, Marie’s gynaecologist referred the couple to a fertility clinic. They chose to go abroad for treatment, where Marie decided to undergo PGT-A due to her age.
A fresh embryo transfer failed, but the first frozen embryo transfer worked, much to the couple’s delight. Sadly, they suffered an upsetting loss at seven weeks.
Marie continued: “In total, I had eight egg retrievals and six transfers. After the pregnancy, the next four embryos didn’t stick. We also had two cycles where premature ovulation occurred, so all the medications were for nothing.”
She added: “We had already spent a fortune, more than €30,000, on fertility treatment. Everything we earned and saved was spent on treatments, diagnostics, acupuncture and vitamins.”
Realising that using a donor egg would give them their best chance of conceiving, Marie began making inquiries at fertility clinics when they discovered Fertility Road’s Fertility Journeys project.
The couple applied and were amazed to be chosen for free egg donation IVF at Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech Pilsen in the Czech Republic.
Marie said: “I was a bit overwhelmed by the news because I was in a phase where I was under a lot of stress at work and I wondered whether it was serious. I had applied at very short notice, shortly before the registration deadline, and didn’t expect to get a response at all.
“Finally, I realised for the first time that we had really received a gift and we were really happy about it.“
The couple will visit Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech in Pilsen for the first time on Monday, December 9th.
“We are looking forward to it!” says Marie.
Updated on June 4, 2025
After a comfortable 12 weeks, where she experienced minimal pregnancy symptoms, Marie is sailing into the second trimester.
“My first trimester was very easy, I almost had no symptoms,” Marie told Fertility Road. “In the beginning, there was a little bit of spotting and my breasts were a little bit sensitive.
“I was feeling almost nothing and it was so good that I even thought it was a dream or I am crazy and just dreaming I’m pregnant – until I saw my sweet little gummy bear moving at the 12-week scan.”
She added: “Now I’m in the second trimester and I sometimes feel a little pulling in the abdomen, that’s all. I had no bump until now, just a little belly fat.”
Although Marie does not yet know the sex of her little gummy bear, she has a feeling she is expecting a little girl, but hasn’t decided whether she would like to find out for certain.
“I don’t know yet if it should be a surprise, but I think I’m too curious,” she said.
Marie has now told her friends and family about her pregnancy and has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support.
“My family and friends are standing behind me at this special time, which makes me very happy, even the people I didn’t expect to have such a heartwarming reaction from,” Marie said.
As ever, Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech Pilsen has reassured Marie that the team will be on hand to help her through the next few months.
“I had a nice talk with the head of marketing from the clinic. I know they are always there for me if I need some help,” said Marie.
Marie is due to give birth on November 14th.
