California couple spent $96k savings on IVF to have four babies instead of buying dream home

A couple who were saving to buy a house have spent $96,000 of their savings on IVF treatment, and ended up having four babies in three years.

Amanda Ralls, 34, and her husband, Nathan, 35, from Orange County, California, decided to spend their deposit fund on IVF to have their dream family instead of buying a house.

The couple, who live with Amanda’s parents, ended up having four babies in three years thanks to IVF treatment and are so happy that their family is now complete.

Amanda Ralls, 34, and husband, Nathan, 35, from Orange County, California, spent $96,000 of their savings on IVF treatment, resulting in having four babies in three years

Amanda said: ‘At the start of our infertility journey we had talked about how the money we had in our home fund could instead fund our IVF.

‘My husband said to me that there was no point in having a home if we don’t have anyone to put in it.

‘That was one of the most encouraging things he’s ever said to me. And so we decided to go full steam ahead with the treatment.

‘In total, it has cost us around $96,000. We could never have done this without the support of my parents and them letting us live with them.

After saving to buy a house, the couple eventually decided there was no point in having a home if they don't have anyone to put in it. Pictured: Amanda at her fourth transfer where she got pregnant with twins

After saving to buy a house, the couple eventually decided there was no point in having a home if they don’t have anyone to put in it. Pictured: Amanda at her fourth transfer where she got pregnant with twins

After struggling with infertility for three years, Amanda was eventually diagnosed with PCOS and the couple decided to go for IVF instead. Pictured: Amanda before giving birth to the twins

After struggling with infertility for three years, Amanda was eventually diagnosed with PCOS and the couple decided to go for IVF instead. Pictured: Amanda before giving birth to the twins

‘Having a beautiful home is one thing, but to me, having kids is more important.

‘Having four kids in three years has been a lot to handle, but our family is now complete and we are so happy.’

Since beginning her IVF journey, Amanda has welcomed four children in three years.

She now has Anderson, aged four, Penelope, aged two, and one-year-old twin boys, Finley and Foster.

After struggling to get pregnant for three years, Amanda was referred to an infertility doctor and discovered she suffered from PCOS.

Amanda, an HR manager, said: ‘We tried IUI first of all which was unsuccessful. So the doctor suggested that we should do IVF going forward.

In total, the treatment has cost them around $96k but it proved a huge success and they welcomed four babies in three years. Pictured: Penelope as a newborn baby

In total, the treatment has cost them around $96k but it proved a huge success and they welcomed four babies in three years. Pictured: Penelope as a newborn baby

In July 2016, Amanda had her first frozen embryo transfer and later gave birth to her eldest son, Anderson, in May 2017, followed by Penelope, in October 2018, and the twins Finley and Foster, born in June 2020. Pictured: Nathan with his daughter, Penelope

In July 2016, Amanda had her first frozen embryo transfer and later gave birth to her eldest son, Anderson, in May 2017, followed by Penelope, in October 2018, and the twins Finley and Foster, born in June 2020. Pictured: Nathan with his daughter, Penelope

‘I was screaming, crying and panicking when I was told this. I really struggled with it all because I knew I was the reason why we weren’t getting pregnant. I blamed myself.

‘It was devastating because as a woman it feels like one of our purposes is to carry a baby and have children.

‘It was a real mental struggle accepting that I couldn’t do this.

‘Going through infertility is one of the biggest challenges you can put on a marriage. It was extremely difficult but I think that because we got through it, we have an unbreakable bond that is even stronger now.

Amanda (pictured at her baby shower for Anderson) said she loved being pregnant each time and said that having their babies has been more important than anything, including a home

Amanda (pictured at her baby shower for Anderson) said she loved being pregnant each time and said that having their babies has been more important than anything, including a home

She revealed that going through infertility with her husband Nathan was one of the 'biggest challenges' for their marriage but said they now have an 'unbreakable bond'

She revealed that going through infertility with her husband Nathan was one of the ‘biggest challenges’ for their marriage but said they now have an ‘unbreakable bond’

‘My husband supported me by letting me know that he would do anything financially to give us the family we were desperate for.’

In July 2016, Amanda had her first frozen embryo transfer which was successful and she, therefore, gave birth to her eldest son, Anderson, in May 2017.

She wanted a sibling for her son and transferred a boy and girl embryo in February 2018. Only one embryo took and she gave birth to her daughter, Penelope, in October 2018.

Amanda said she had always wanted three children so decided to go again and transferred two frozen embryos again in June 2019 but unfortunately, neither of them took.

She added: ‘In October we decided to try again and we ended up being pregnant with my twin boys who were born in June last year.

The family of six is now made up of Anderson, aged 4, Penelope, aged 2, and twin boys, Finley and Foster, aged 1, and Amanda revealed the siblings are 'best friends'

The family of six is now made up of Anderson, aged 4, Penelope, aged 2, and twin boys, Finley and Foster, aged 1, and Amanda revealed the siblings are ‘best friends’

‘I loved being pregnant. I wish I could be pregnant every day. I just couldn’t wait to meet each of my babies.

‘When I found out I was pregnant with twins I was ecstatic. I said to Nathan that we were going to have a football team.

‘It was amazing. They’re hard work but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

‘We are adjusting every day as we went from it being just Nathan and me to a family of six in the space of three years. It’s been a lot but I am so grateful.

‘I couldn’t be happier. It is all I have ever wanted. All the siblings are best friends and I love watching them interact and grow.’

The couple said that it wouldn't have been possible for them to have all of their children without the help of Amanda's parents (pictured, with their four grandchildren) who have allowed the family them to live with them and help with looking after the kids

The couple said that it wouldn’t have been possible for them to have all of their children without the help of Amanda’s parents (pictured, with their four grandchildren) who have allowed the family them to live with them and help with looking after the kids

Amanda says that it wouldn’t have been possible for her to have all of her children if it wasn’t for her parents allowing them to live with them and helping with looking after the kids.

She said: ‘We wouldn’t have been able to have all of our kids if we had our own home. It just wouldn’t have been possible.

‘A home will eventually come for us. But having our babies has been more important than anything.

‘Our life is crazy and full of chaos but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

‘We are definitely living a dream and are so grateful to everybody who has helped us along the way.

‘We will never be able to thank our doctor enough and her staff for everything that they do for families struggling with infertility and the help they have provided us throughout the years.’