"We wanted so badly for it to succeed. I never said the words out loud because I was afraid I would mess up. I fought with my thoughts and fears inside. I preferred to say it wouldn't work so that I wouldn't suffer once again on the day I received the beta hCG results." - This is how Dominika, mother of the now two-year-old Tosia, talks about her attempts at IVF. Read her story here.

We have always known that we wanted to have a large family. Unfortunately, despite many efforts, visits to many doctors, research, searching for information on the internet - nothing was happening. More and more months went by without me getting pregnant. There were doubts. Finally, we luckily found the right clinic and the right doctor - Dr Makowska. After many years, for the first time someone took the time needed to make the right diagnosis. Unfortunately, it turned out that our only chance for a child was in vitro. We didn't give it a second thought. We knew that this was the only way to fulfil our biggest dream and enjoy our happiness to the fullest.

It wasn't easy. Constant appointments, tests, taking hormones, medication, weight gain, mood swings... My husband rose to the challenge and was a huge support. We managed to get a good number of ova through stimulation, and from them six embryos. Unfortunately, the first transfer did not have the desired effect. There were initial doubts, fears about how many attempts we would have enough strength for. After two or three months we went ahead with the second transfer. We wanted so much to succeed. I never said the words out loud because I was afraid I would mess up. I fought with my thoughts and fears inside. I preferred to claim that it wouldn't work out so that I wouldn't suffer once again on the day I received the beta hCG results. On the other hand, a positive attitude is essential for a successful attempt. It was the longest ten days of my life... On the third day after the transfer I felt a rather strong sting in my lower abdomen. I was terrified and found it difficult to stop myself from crying. I was convinced that it was over. On the morning of the test (drawing blood to determine the beta hCG level), I didn't even think it would be the happiest day of my life. In the afternoon I received the result of the test by email. I cannot describe what I felt at that moment. When I got home from work I took a standard pregnancy test - I had to see those two lines!!!

The pregnancy was going relatively smoothly, the placenta prolapsus qualified me for a caesarean section. My daughter decided to hurry up and was born at the beginning of the 34th week of pregnancy. To this day, a tear turns my eye as I recall that feeling of fear. She scored 9 out of 10, but developed pneumothorax and spent the first 5 days in an incubator. The first time the midwife put her on my breast I knew it was worth it, that I would make the same decision again. No one can describe that happiness in words. Now my daughter is two years old, developing normally and healthy.

We are just starting the whole procedure over again. My daughter wants a little brother. Keep your fingers crossed.