IVF: Hidden hopes and devastating deceptions as families try to conceive

Doctors explain IVF is often reserved for complex medical problems or infertility, with difficulties even-split between the male and female partners. In about 20 per cent of cases, both partners have troubles.

When Gretel Fernandez Collazo held her newborn son in her arms for the first time, she couldn't believe her eyes -- or her heart.

After eight long years of trying, of painful procedures and even more agonizing heartbreaks, he was finally here.

"I didn't know that a baby could smile that early," she says, beaming. "I always say to him, 'Don't ever lose that smile because that makes me smile too.'"

Fernandez Collazo has what doctors describe as "unexplained infertility."

In short, there's no obvious reason to justify why she has trouble conceiving.

She says because of this, doctors initially recommended she do intrauterine insemination (IUI) before trying in vitro fertilization (IVF).

"I did two right away. They didn't work, and then I stopped," she said. "It was overwhelming me so much -- and it was only the beginning. But I was like OK, we have time."