The couple bought a house in 2012 and initially tried to conceive naturally once they were living together. However, Luise soon realized that her fertility was declining as she entered her forties.
Luise realized that time was running out, and she and Dean sought their first IVF consultation in January 2016. The recommendation was to use donor eggs, as Luise’s own eggs were no longer considered ideal due to her age. Nevertheless, she decided to try with her own eggs initially.
After their marriage in February 2017, Luise underwent her first IVF cycle in March 2017. When it failed, the couple worked with a local doctor for two more cycles before moving to a clinic five hours away in Manhattan for three additional cycles.
By 2019, the couple decided to search for a donor egg. Luise found a suitable donor in 2019, but her husband wanted her to continue searching through other agencies. Ultimately, they were both thrilled with the chosen donor, who was a perfect match both ethnically and in terms of personality and characteristics.
In May 2022, the couple transferred their first embryo, and just eight days later, Luise received a positive pregnancy test. They decided to keep the news within their immediate circle of friends and family, as Luise was cautious about how she would handle the pregnancy and wanted to avoid an influx of questions.
Luise hopes that by sharing her story, she can inspire older women not to give up on their dreams of becoming mothers. She believes that her life experience has made her a wiser mother and that there’s something to be said for the knowledge and perspective that comes with age.
Their journey, although financially and emotionally taxing, has resulted in a priceless gift—a beautiful family, with Stellan as the best present they could have ever wished for.
