The Journey to Joshua: A Mother’s Faith Through Loss and New Life
Why Stories Like Shanea’s Matter
At ReproTech, we don’t just store reproductive specimens—we protect potential. Behind every vial, straw, or tank is someone’s deeply personal hope for a family. And for many of us on staff, this work is personal.
For National Infertility Awareness Week, we’re sharing stories from our own team—stories that reflect the resilience, heartbreak, and hope that shape so many fertility journeys.
This one comes from Shanea, a ReproTech team member who faced repeated pregnancy loss, a complex diagnosis, and years of emotional recovery. Through it all, she never let go of the dream of becoming a mother. This is her story.
When Hope Meets Heartbreak
The desire to become a mother came over me intensely around age 26 or 27. But my journey didn’t start with joy—it started with heartbreak. After four miscarriages, my ex-husband and I were referred to Dallas IVF. My gynecologist had just told us what no hopeful parent wants to hear: “You’ll probably never be able to have children.”
I had a blocked fallopian tube, and his sperm count was low. At that time, we didn’t know of any support groups nearby, and I felt completely alone. It was defeating. Isolating. I wanted to believe, but I was mentally and emotionally drained.
“Even in that pain, I held on to faith. I had to believe I was meant to be a mother.”
Our First IVF and Twin Angels
We moved forward with IVF, and at first, it looked promising. But our twin babies stopped growing at 12 weeks. I didn’t struggle to get pregnant—I struggled to stay pregnant. And the loss felt unbearable.
Even in that pain, I held on to faith. I had to believe I was meant to be a mother.
A Quiet Second Chance
I was determined to try again, I felt destined to be called Mommy. Eventually, when I was mentally ready, we prepared for another cycle. But before we could start, something unexpected happened.
Going by my cycle dates, my husband at the time said, “Well take a test because you’re pregnant!” Somehow, he always knew when I had conceived.
I took ten tests. Each one read: Pregnant.
But instead of joy, fear crept in. Every cramp brought anxiety. Every day was filled with worry.
I thought the fear would go away once my belly grew. It didn’t.
A Miracle Named Joshua
At 14 weeks, we saw our baby wave his little fist during the ultrasound. It looked like a tiny thumbs-up—and in that moment, I finally felt peace.
That baby became my miracle. My warrior child. My one and only: Joshua.
We experienced four more losses after Joshua. I would have given anything to have all nine of my rainbow babies here; we honor them every year. They are not forgotten. And while my journey was painful, it was also powerful. I still relish that I did what the doctors said I could never do. Joshua is living proof that a Higher Power knew just what I needed here on earth.