For women pursuing motherhood as a single mom by choice, or trying IUI again after pregnancy loss, the path can feel both deeply emotional and medically complex. Angie began her fertility journey knowing she wanted to become a mother — even if it meant doing so on her own. After experiencing an early loss and multiple IUI cycles that left her feeling unheard, she sought a more personalized approach with Collab Fertility and Dr. Segal. In this Q&A, Angie shares what it was like to advocate for herself, rebuild hope after loss, choose a sperm donor, and ultimately welcome her son, Theodoro Juaquin.

Can you share a little bit about your fertility journey and what brought you to Collab?

Angie:
“I am a single mother by choice. I started my fertility journey right after my 36th birthday. I was finally in a good place professionally, and waiting on Prince Charming wasn’t happening, so I decided to start my family.

I actually got pregnant on my first try with IUI at a different clinic in January 2024. Unfortunately, I  lost that baby really early on, around 13 weeks. That was really devastating. I let my body reset, and then I had trouble conceiving after that. I continued with IUI, and after my third and fourth attempts and not being able to conceive, what I noticed was that there was a real disconnect between the patient and the healthcare provider. The personalization wasn’t really there. It was very clinical.

I really wanted the data, the visuals, the tracking, and the monitoring, but I wasn’t getting any of that from the clinic I began this journey with. I wanted a second opinion, especially after feeling like I wasn’t being heard. So I joined Collab, and from the minute I walked in there, it just felt different.”

What felt different when you met Dr. Segal?

Angie:
“I walked Dr. Segal down my path, and my fertility journey, my family situation and expectations as a first-generation Latina woman, and she took all that information, as well as my test results, and personalized my treatment.

It did take us another two cycles to conceive again. But her reassurance — your body can do this, you’re on the right track — meant everything. She was always open and willing to listen to all the research I was reading. She would take time to look at the data with me, which is something that I really appreciated.”

How did that level of support matter after experiencing loss?

Angie:
“Miscarriage can steal the joy from future pregnancies. After my second loss (6th attempt), there was this ongoing fear and anxiety. You’re always wondering if that day is going to be the day you see something different, that there’s going to be another loss. But Dr. Segal was always available. I’d say, ‘Dr. Segal, I just got a positive OPK [with an ovulation predictor test],’ and she’d say, ‘Do you want to come in for an ultrasound?’ I really appreciated her care and reassurance, especially after multiple losses. Having someone to talk to and who continued to encourage me meant so much.”

What did personalized fertility care look like for you?

Angie:
“Really considerate and intentional, and very mindful of the financial responsibility of this. I’m a Kaiser patient, so Dr. Segal would say, go to Kaiser, get your lab work through your insurance, and we’ll stay connected as long as you send me the results. Even though I acknowledge that this is a business, I never felt pressured or as if I had to do everything there. She was always giving me options, tailored to me. That was another beautiful thing.”

Tell me about when you finally had success with IUI

Angie:
“Dr. Segal and I had started talking about customizing an IVF plan after my second lost, 6th IUI cycle.  I really did not want to go the IVF route yet, not just because of the cost, but I had noticed that my body wasn’t really responding to the hormones with IUI, I was scared that that would also be true with IVF. She was like, Angie, we’ll have a little bit more control. While that was an important factor, I knew it still wouldn’t be a guarantee to conceive. 

I remember telling her, "One more IUI cycle. Just let’s do one more. And come January, if this doesn’t happen, let’s talk about IVF. There was something in the air. That Christmas miracle baby happened. I had my IUI with lucky number seven on December 2nd, and by December 12th, I had gotten my positive pregnancy test.”

How was your pregnancy? 

Angie:
“It was an amazing pregnancy and an amazing delivery, and I really believe that goes back to the way Dr. Segal and her team cared for me. I was induced at the end of my 35th week, labored all over my birthday; hoping we would share a birthday, but no he wanted his own! He arrived on August 6th, a day after. Which was the best gift. I still text Dr. Segal on every milestone. I always tell her, ‘This is because of you. We did this together.’”

What led you to become a single mom by choice?

Angie:
“I’ve always seen myself as a mom. I’ve wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. I’ve worked with children my entire professional career; I have always been surrounded by mommas and their children- I wanted it to be my turn. I decided to break some of the stereotypes and norms. It wasn’t just me making this decision — I carry generations of culture and family with me. I wanted to be intentional about everything: the person I chose, the conversations I would have, and the life I wanted to create. If there’s one thing I hope my child can say one day, it’s that he was searched for and loved long before I met him.”

What was it like choosing a sperm donor?

Angie:
“Choosing the sperm donor was another eye-opening experience. If I’m really honest, a lot of the profiles were young college students. Then I came across a firefighter’s profile; his story was truly inspiring- I really took to how he spoke about family.  I fell in love with his baby pictures first. I remember thinking, that’s him? That’s my kid. When Theo turns 18, he has the option to contact him, which was really important to me. I loved the idea of him being able to meet and know the other side of his family. For him to have that extended family if he chooses to.  I used Seattle Sperm Bank.”

What advice would you give to other women navigating loss or single motherhood by choice?

Angie:
“To not lose that hope. Be confident and intentional about what you want. It got really difficult there for a minute, and at times it the journey is so discouraging. But the dream was always there. I was gonna find a way to be a mom. It was just a matter of when and how.”

Personalized fertility care 

Angie’s story is a powerful reminder that there is no one path to parenthood. Whether you are navigating pregnancy loss, considering IUI, or exploring single motherhood by choice, personalized care and the right support can make all the difference.

At Collab Fertility, we believe every journey is unique. Our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and create a treatment plan that reflects your goals, your values, and your life.

If you’re ready to take the next step, we invite you to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.

‍

________________________

Proudly Supporting Local Communities
Collab Fertility is honored to serve families in the East Bay like Danville, Alamo, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Piedmont, and Walnut Creek, as well as many other communities in the Bay Area and beyond, including Oakland, San Ramon, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Santa Rosa, Novato, Napa, Sonoma, and more.

‍