Nichelle's Journey Through PCOS, Infertility and 5 Miscarriages

Her Health Voice Staff

Jan 23

Nichelle W. Sublett, crowned Mrs. North Carolina in 2018, married her husband in 2013 and was eager to start a family. But after six months without conceiving, she sought medical advice. Her OBGYN diagnosed her with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder that can affect fertility.

For Nichelle, her PCOS and miscarriage journey would prove to be more challenging than she ever expected

Nichelle W. Sublett, who was crowned Mrs. North Carolina in 2018, married her husband in 2013 with dreams of starting a family.

“I had heard of PCOS in biology class, but I never thought I was a candidate for it,” Nichelle says. “I assumed you had to have obesity, weight fluctuations, or insulin resistance. I didn’t have those symptoms, just irregular periods.”

Between 70%-80% of women with PCOS experience infertility due to anovulation - when a woman's ovaries don't release an egg during her menstrual cycle.

Despite the diagnosis, her doctor assured her that pregnancy was possible with the help of ovulation-stimulating medications like Clomid. To her surprise, she became pregnant during the first treatment cycle.

PCOS and Miscarriage

“I thought the hard part was getting pregnant. I never imagined I would have a miscarriage.”

Just as quickly as joy arrived, it was taken away. At her eight-week appointment, doctors discovered the pregnancy was not viable.

“It was very emotionally devastating, especially even hearing the words, ‘your numbers haven’t doubled, so I need you to come in,’” Nichelle recalls. “I thought the hard part was getting pregnant. I never imagined I would have a miscarriage.”

She soon learned the painful reality— miscarriage is more common than she realized. Yet, without close friends or family who had openly discussed their experiences, she felt blindsided by the loss.

After undergoing a D&C procedure, genetic testing revealed chromosomal abnormalities in the pregnancy. Her doctor referred her to a fertility clinic, where she began a new treatment plan.

A Long and Painful Fertility Journey

Nichelle’s journey spanned five years, five miscarriages, and multiple fertility treatments, including Clomid, Letrozole, IUIs, and IVF.

Each step was filled with hope and heartbreak. “By my third pregnancy, I didn’t even believe the nurse when she called to tell me I was pregnant,” Nichelle says. “I thought my period was just late.”

Her third miscarriage, a naturally conceived pregnancy at 11 weeks, was particularly devastating. “We were so excited. We thought, ‘This is our miracle baby.’ And then it was gone,” she shares.

The Emotional Toll of Infertility

Infertility affected every aspect of Nichelle’s life, including her marriage. “I felt like I was being left out of this amazing club that everybody gets to be in just for being a woman,” she says. “My body kept failing me, and it felt so unfair.”

Her husband remained hopeful, encouraging her not to let infertility take over their lives. But Nichelle struggled to focus on anything else. “I needed to talk about it every day. It consumed me, and that was hard on our relationship.”

Finally, a Successful Pregnancy Through IVF

After years of setbacks, Nichelle’s third IVF embryo transfer resulted in a viable pregnancy. But even with good news, fear remained. “I felt robbed of the excitement,” she says. “Each appointment, I was terrified they wouldn’t find a heartbeat.”

Before her successful pregnancy, Nichelle took an unexpected detour in her journey—winning the title of Mrs. North Carolina at the end of 2017. After enduring five miscarriages, she and her husband made the conscious decision to pause their fertility treatments for a year.

Nichelle in the hospital holding her ultasounds

“We didn’t want any upsets that year,” Nichelle says. “We really wanted to enjoy life, so I focused on my role as Mrs. North Carolina, making appearances, preparing for Mrs. America, and using infertility awareness as my platform.”

During this time, Nichelle connected with women across the country, receiving DMs, emails, and phone calls from those who shared their own fertility struggles. “It was incredibly fulfilling to help others navigate their journeys. For once, I wasn’t just surviving my own pain—I was using it to support others.”

“I finally felt like I could breath.”

After passing on her crown in November 2018, Nichelle and her husband revisited their fertility plans. They considered a gestational carrier, knowing the process was expensive but wanting to keep all options open. However, she decided to try one final embryo transfer herself.

Nichelle pregnant with her baby after years of infertility

“This was going to be my last transfer,” Nichelle recalls. “I felt re-energized after taking that break. We had put it all on the shelf for a year, and it was like we were dating again, just enjoying life without the stress of infertility.”

Her son, Hudson, was born healthy in 2018. “I finally felt like I could breathe,” she says.

A Different Experience with Baby #2

When Hudson was almost two, Nichelle and her husband returned for another IVF embryo transfer. This time, the experience felt different. “I was much more at ease,” she says. “I wasn’t obsessing over every little thing.”

Her daughter, Siena, was born in 2022. “Having already gone through pregnancy once, I felt more confident. It was night and day from my first experience,” Nichelle shares.

Advice for Women Facing Infertility and Miscarriage

Now a fertility coach and advocate, Nichelle uses her experience to support other women. Her advice includes:

Seek Support Early: “I wish I had opened up sooner. Talking to other women going through the same thing was life-changing.”
Don’t Put Life on Hold: “I put off trips, events, even buying clothes because I was waiting to be pregnant. I regret that.”
Explore Financial Assistance for IVF: “There are fertility grants and community resources that can help offset costs.”
Be Prepared for Medication Side Effects: “Fertility drugs can cause bloating, mood swings, and hot flashes. Knowing what to expect makes it easier to manage.”