Facing Infertility After Endometriosis Surgery: One Couple’s Honest Outlook
- Ayla Zimmerman
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
Infertility & Endometriosis: The Diagnosis
When my OB-GYN confirmed I had stage-IV endometriosis, I finally understood why “bad periods” had followed me for years. Surgery could remove the worst lesions and improve my quality of life, the doctor said—but it might not restore my ability to carry a pregnancy. Hearing that was hard, yet it was clear and factual, and my husband and I appreciated the honesty.
Where We Stand Today
Recovery went well, but every follow-up reminds us that fertility is uncertain. Our specialist sees three main paths:
Try Naturally for 6–12 Months Pros: no medical costs beyond tracking apps and basic labs Cons: lower odds, monthly stress, and more waiting
Move to IVF or Other Assisted Reproductive Tech Pros: higher success rates, genetic connection to both of us Cons: injections, retrieval surgery, significant financial planning
Consider Gestational Surrogacy Pros: baby could still be biologically ours, avoids pregnancy risks to me Cons: complex legal and financial, less direct control of the pregnancy
We’re collecting information on costs, timelines, and success rates, and we’ve booked a counseling session to talk through the emotional side.
How We’re Coping
Clear Information: We ask direct questions—success rates, side effects, total expenses. Facts lower our anxiety.
Shared Calendar: We track appointments, bills, and insurance deadlines in one place so nothing slips through.
Budget Spreadsheet: Seeing the numbers helps us decide which options we can realistically pursue and when.
Short Breaks From “Trying Mode”: We schedule weekends where we’re not allowed to talk about test results or next steps. It helps keeps life feeling a little more balanced.
What We’ve Learned So Far
Endometriosis doesn’t rule out parenthood; it just changes the route.
Surrogacy isn’t a “last resort”—it’s one of several valid strategies.
Good medical teams explain probabilities without sugar-coating them.
Planning for multiple scenarios (natural conception, IVF, surrogacy, adoption) keeps us from feeling hopeless or cornered.
Looking Ahead
We haven’t picked a final path yet. Over the next six months we’ll review an IVF work-up, meet with a financial advisor, and talk to a surrogacy agency to understand contracts and matching. Whatever direction we choose, we know two things:
Building a family might take longer and cost more than we once thought.
We’re still in this together, and that matters more than any single option.
If you’re in a similar situation, know that practical steps—solid medical advice, clear budgeting, and honest conversations—can make the process feel manageable. Surrogacy agencies like Little Miracles Surrogacy, reputable fertility clinics, and support groups can all be part of a realistic, achievable plan.
We don’t have a baby yet, but we do have a roadmap. And that’s a good place to start.
