After 8 Years of Trying, Infertility Trial Helps Family Welcome Baby

The Wygals have welcomed their first child, a healthy baby boy, into the world.

(March 2018 update) The Wygals sought treatment from Carolinas Medical Center Women’s Institute and an infertility medicine called MOXI after eight years of attempting to conceive on their own. Within three months, they were expecting their first child, a healthy baby boy named Colin, whom they welcomed last year.

In 2002, Tasha Wygal, a cosmetologist, married Caleb Wygal, an author and entrepreneur. Caleb recalls, “It was literally love at first sight.” “When I first saw her, I said to myself, ‘That’s the girl I’m marrying.’ I didn’t get her number that night, but I did the next week, and we married eight months later.”

After learning that Caleb’s younger brother and his wife were expecting their first child in 2009, the Wygals began to consider establishing a family. They had intended to have children of a similar age group.

When traditional techniques of conception failed, they sought the advice of a fertility specialist. Rebecca S. Usadi, MD, an associate director of reproductive endocrinology at CMC Women’s Institute, was suggested to the couple. Dr. Usadi indicated during the initial meeting that the couple had unexplained infertility and that they would be a suitable candidate for a research experiment called MOXI (Males, Antioxidants and Infertility).

A Case of Infertility Proves Fruitful MOXI is a placebo-controlled, double-blind study that looks at whether slightly infertile men who take a twice-daily dosage of antioxidants in tablet form will improve their fertility. In a double-blind placebo experiment, some individuals get the therapy while others receive a dummy treatment (placebo), with neither the researchers nor the participants knowing which group is which until the study is over.

The trial’s goal is to see if antioxidants may increase sperm quality, leading to greater fertilization rates and better embryo development.

Another benefit of the MOXI experiment is that it will save money on costly infertility treatments. For couples that qualify, the study will cover the cost of three clomiphene (infertility medicine) and intrauterine insemination (fertility therapy) cycles.

Caleb adds, “It sounded like a win-win situation and our greatest opportunity at having a kid.”

Tasha had a sense she could be pregnant just a few weeks into the experiment. Her menstruation had been a few days late, and she was suffering from severe heartburn.

“Given the possibility that I was taking the genuine MOXI and not the placebo, I just prayed it would work.”

Then, after a visit with Dr. Usadi, they learned that Tasha was really pregnant. The pair was happy, nervous, and worried all at the same time.

“Hang in there and keep trying!” Caleb advises other couples in similar situations. Yes, it might be depressing, but try to focus on the positive aspects of the situation throughout the process. It took us nearly eight years, but with the proper team, anyone can achieve it as well.”