Approximately one in every five couples will, at some time in their lives, experience difficulties The journey to conception is often fraught with anguish and uncertainty—an ordeal that tests the very fabric of hope and endurance. Yet, as countless souls have borne witness, steadfast patience paired with unwavering resolve can eventually bear fruit.
Desiree and Ryan Fortin weathered many years of waiting, their hearts anchored in faith and quiet perseverance, before embracing the path of in-vitro fertilization. They beseeched the heavens, praying fervently that this intervention would unlock the miracle they longed for.
Not long after the IVF procedure, the awaited confirmation arrived: Desiree was pregnant. Still, the true marvel concealed within her womb was beyond anything they had imagined.
High school sweethearts turned lifelong partners, Desiree and Ryan had been united in marriage since 2009. Yet, their dream of growing a family was clouded by years of struggle.
Medical assessments revealed Desiree’s battles with polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothyroidism, and diminished progesterone levels. For three grueling years, the couple faced relentless setbacks before seeking the aid of IVF.
Instead of hope-filled pregnancy tests, Desiree was met repeatedly by the crushing arrival of her period. The mental toll was profound and unyielding.
“It wasn’t merely the absence of pregnancy,” she penned reflecting on those harrowing years.
“[Infertility] unleashed a flood of tears I never imagined I possessed… I lay broken on my bathroom floor, engulfed by emptiness after endless negative tests. The journey demanded injections, bruises, and a cocktail of medications—because when infertility propels you toward treatment, that is the harsh reality. It is costly, draining in body, mind, and soul.”
So it’s no surprise that when Desiree and Ryan received the news that their first IVF cycle had succeeded, their elation was boundless—an explosion of joy born from years of heartbreak and hope.
When the ultrasound screen flickered to life, disbelief washed over them—not just one, but three tiny hearts fluttering within Desiree’s womb. The revelation that they were expecting triplets was nothing short of miraculous—an extraordinary triumph etched in hope.
Yet, the path ahead for Desiree and her family was far from smooth.
Despite finally conceiving, medical counsel cast a shadow of caution; doctors warned she might not carry all three to full term.
“I was deemed too slight, too petite, and it was my first pregnancy,” she recollects with a wistful smile. “But my spirit refused to yield to doubt.”
In the summer of 2015, the Fortin triplets arrived into the world. Desiree gave birth at precisely 34 weeks and one day, through a cesarean section.
Joy overflowed as Sawyer, Jack, and Charlize entered their lives—each weighing over five pounds, robust and full of promise.
“I will forever hold the memory of that day close. Like all facets of parenthood, it came with unforeseen twists. Once the triplets were delivered, Ryan accompanied them to the neonatal intensive care unit while I was taken to recovery,” Desiree shared with Today.
Desiree encountered unexpected complications accompanied by bleeding, necessitating urgent surgical intervention, which delayed her first embrace of her cherished children.
Yet, Ryan bridged the distance through FaceTime, allowing the new mother to behold her tiny wonders despite the physical separation. After a fortnight ensconced within the NICU’s vigilant care, the trio of infants finally ventured home, commencing the delicate journey of life beyond the hospital walls.
Welcoming three newborns under one roof was an immense blessing, yet a daunting odyssey for Ryan and Desiree alike.
“We count ourselves profoundly fortunate, though the mantle of parenthood is laden with formidable duties—nurturing fragile lives. Our little ones suffer from intense reflux and colic—all thrice over. Establishing a rhythm proves elusive, compounded by the challenge of sustaining our bond amidst ceaseless wails, sleepless vigils, and an upheaval of routine,” Desiree confided.
Presently, the triplets have blossomed into vibrant seven-year-olds, and the family appears to flourish harmoniously.
Their unfolding narrative and escapades are chronicled on Desiree’s Instagram, where a community of 150,000 followers eagerly accompanies their voyage.
“Never did I envision that our journey would resonate so deeply, reaching countless souls. This odyssey has been nothing short of extraordinary,” she reflects.
Recently, she unveiled another joyous revelation: she and Ryan are anticipating a new arrival, poised to expand their radiant family to six.
Gratitude flows for Desiree’s candid sharing—may her tale kindle hope and solace for couples navigating the arduous corridors of infertility.