Nikki Shepperd

 

April 2024 Issue
by Mary Hope Roseneau
Photography by Amy Dobbins Photography

An Update on this family’s Struggle with In Vitro Fertilization from the May, 2021 issue

When Pink readers last met Beaufort, SC, native Nikki Shepperd, in early 2021, she was undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment in Virginia Beach, VA, where her husband Charlie, a Naval officer, was stationed at Norfolk Naval Station. The note at the end of the feature stated that sadly, the treatment was unsuccessful. But this girl persevered and started a second round of IVF in August of 2021.

IVF treatment is a multi-step process that begins with the ovarian stimulation phase, where the woman receives multiple shots per night over 8-14 days, in order to stimulate the production of eggs in preparation of the egg retrieval surgery that occurs when doctors deem her body ready. During that process, Nikki unexpectedly lost her beloved father, Chuck Lather. She felt strongly that he would have never wanted her to quit, so she persevered and moved forward through her treatment.

Two months later, Nikki summed up her total infertility treatments on Facebook with: “1,324 days waiting, 296 pills taken, 170 needles, 79 doctor appointments, 10 infertility treatments + 2 rounds of IVF…worth it all, because WE’RE PREGNANT!”

And with the unwavering support from her husband, their friends and family, especially her mother Sheri Lather, they welcomed their “blessing from above,” Charles Everett Shepperd in June 2022. Nikki says all she could think was “so, this is what a miracle feels like?!”

Nikki describes their blue-eyed, blonde toddler Everett as “everything I could have wanted”. He is 21 months old now, and loves sports, especially golf, just like his dad. Everett is loving, studious and observant. He loves animals, cars, trucks, planes, and has more than 500 books.

In February 2023, military orders came in for the family to move to San Diego, CA. Charlie and Nikki packed up 7-month-old baby Everett, their two cats and dog and drove two vehicles across country to their new duty station. And then, on Valentine’s Day, a miracle happened; Nikki was pregnant again with no IVF involved.

Though her pregnancy with baby No. 2 was great, she ended up having a rare complication called “partial placental abruption” and at 33 weeks, Nikki was in the ER and doctors needed to deliver the baby early. Nikki credits her husband and the triage team for saving both her and the baby’s life.

Their second miracle baby, Callen Theodore Shepperd, was delivered and whisked away to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 30 minutes away, where they anticipated up to a six week stay. After two weeks, Callen was ready to go home to meet his big brother!

Nikki describes Callen as the baby “I never knew I needed.” He is now 7 months old, loves watching his big brother run around, and just got his first tooth. He is a super happy blonde hair, blue-eyed boy as well, and incredibly resilient and strong. Nikki said, “His smile lights up my world.”

Nikki is said she is “honored” she was asked to interview again in Pink to be able to share their great news with her many local friends, family and others plodding through IVF. Infertility can be a lonely and arduous journey, and she urges women struggling with it to find their “village” for necessary support. She explained it can be very helpful to talk with professionals in this field about the emotions that rise and fall almost daily, as well as with other women who are on the journey, or like her, have miraculously delivered two perfect babies.

She and Charlie love the view from their house in San Diego, sitting atop a canyon facing west. Many evenings they take in the stunning California sunsets. They often think about the third fertilized embryo they have waiting back in Richmond, Virginia, and hope that one day they can go through it all again and welcome him/her to their family. But for now, two little guys, both in diapers are plenty to keep her busy.

Up Close:
Reminders that Nikki has for herself, and would like share with Pink readers:
• Take it one day at a time and put one foot in front of the other.
• Expect the unexpected.
• Be gentle with yourself.