Mia and Daniel’s story is a composite, inspired by the journeys of couples navigating infertility and pregnancy loss in South Africa.
The table was already full
The table was already full when Mia and Daniel arrived. Family members chatted around a beautifully prepared meal while children laughed nearby. It was one of those gatherings where everyone seemed happy to be together.
But this year felt different.
“Any news from you two yet?” someone joked from across the table.
Mia laughed politely. They had heard the question countless times.
What no one at that table knew was that the past three years had been filled with doctors’ appointments, blood tests, quiet tears and difficult conversations.
Infertility.
1 in 6 couples — and a silence that feels heavy
About 1 in 6 couples worldwide experience infertility.1 It is common enough that most families have someone living it. Yet at Sunday lunches and birthday parties, the silence around it can feel heavy — and the well-meaning questions can land harder than anyone intends.
An announcement, and a quiet ache
Halfway through dessert, Mia’s younger cousin stood up, beaming.
“We have an announcement,” she said, holding her partner’s hand.
A phone appeared. A tiny ultrasound picture filled the screen.
“We’re pregnant!”
The room erupted in cheers. Mia clapped. Daniel smiled.
But beneath the celebration, a quiet wave of emotion washed over them both — happiness for their family, mixed with the familiar ache of longing.
The loss no one knew about
A few months earlier, they had experienced something few people knew about: a pregnancy that ended before it truly began.
Pregnancy loss is more common than many realise, yet it is rarely spoken about. About 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss, and approximately 50% of these losses are due to chromosomal abnormalities.2
For couples like Mia and Daniel, the grief can feel invisible.
What their fertility journey gave them: knowledge, support and hope
The journey through infertility had also brought them something else. When they began working with their fertility specialist, they discovered how much reproductive medicine had advanced in recent years — and how many of the questions that once had no answers now do.
Before IVF: carrier screening
Before starting IVF, Mia and Daniel underwent CarrierScreen. Carrier screening is a genetic screening tool that allows couples to assess the risk of passing on a genetic condition to their children. Knowing this information early can help support informed reproductive decisions.
During IVF: preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A)
During their IVF journey, their embryos were tested using preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A). This test screens embryos for extra or missing chromosomes — a common cause of failed implantation and miscarriage. By selecting embryos with the correct amount of genetic material, the chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy are significantly increased.
The use of PGT-A has grown dramatically in modern fertility care, increasing by more than 600% over the past two decades as more clinics incorporate genetic testing into IVF treatment.3
After a loss: products of conception screening
Their doctor also spoke about testing that could help answer difficult questions if another loss occurred. Products of conception screening (POCScreen) analyses pregnancy tissue after a miscarriage to determine whether chromosomal abnormalities caused the loss — offering couples answers, closure and a guide to future reproductive options.
In early pregnancy: non-invasive prenatal testing
When they fall pregnant, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT – TriScreen) could offer further reassurance about the health of their baby early on. This simple blood test analyses tiny fragments of fetal DNA circulating in the mother’s blood and screens for common chromosomal conditions from as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Beyond birth: stem cell banking
And beyond birth, there were even ways to invest in a child’s future health. Some families choose stem cell banking (Netcells), where stem cells from the umbilical cord tissue and cord blood are stored at birth. These cells can potentially be used in future medical treatments for a range of conditions.
Possibility
Mia didn’t know if their story would include all of these steps. But for the first time in a long time, she and Daniel felt something they had almost lost.
Possibility.
As the family gathered outside and the afternoon slowly drew to a close, Daniel wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
Mia nodded. “Yes,” she said, watching the children play in the garden. “I think I am.”
Every fertility journey is different
For many couples navigating infertility or pregnancy loss, the path to parenthood may be longer and more complicated than expected.
But they are not alone. Advances in reproductive medicine, increasing access to genetic testing and supportive healthcare professionals are helping more families find answers, make informed decisions and move forward with hope.
Next Biosciences supports families through every stage of their reproductive journey, from carrier screening and embryo testing to prenatal screening and stem cell banking. You can read more about their services on the Next Biosciences website.
References
- World Health Organization (2023). 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility. Geneva: WHO.
- Carp, H.J.A. (2019). Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Causes, Controversies, and Treatment. CRC Press.
- Kucherov, A., et al. (2023). Trends in the use of preimplantation genetic testing in assisted reproductive technology.
