From Mariam & Edward

How Dr. Sahakian made our dream come true:
  Hello, my name is Mariam. I would like to tell you how I came to meet Dr. Sahakian. When I was 14 I underwent open heart surgery. I had an aortic valve replaced and at that time I was told by my doctor as well as my parents, that I would never be able to give birth to my own children.
  After I got married I had a tubal ligation to prevent myself from getting pregnant. It was too risky and I was told by my doctors that while on Coumadin (a blood thinner), I would be placing the unborn fetus at certain risk. Later my husband and I wanted to a start a family. We gave a surrogate mother much thought.
  In the summer of 1997 we saw Dr. Sahakian for a consultation for a surrogate mother and the process in which we have to undertake. After explaining to Dr. Sahakian our case, he recommended we see Dr. Child a cardiologist at UCLA.
  Dr. Child at UCLA said there would be little to no risk in my becoming pregnant. I would have to change medications and take Heparin for ten months. Heparin would not harm the unborn fetus like Coumadin does. I would be able to carry my own baby to full term with very little risk. The medication called Heparin consists of two injections in the stomach area a day. This was very hard for me and my husband who gave them to me, but I feel it was very well worth it.
  We then started the entire process by returning to Dr. Sahakian who performed the IVF. And thanks to Dr. Sahakian we didn’t have to get a surrogate mother. He made it possible for me to become pregnant with my child and be able to carry the child the entire term. The entire process was not as we expected to be. We were always kept informed and reassured of our fondest thoughts. He and the staff made us very comfortable and at ease at every visit. Especially the one where he said "Yes, you are pregnant". That was after out very first attempt.
  Not only did this man give us direction, but he gave us the courage and the ability to create our very own family.
  Thank you very much Dr. Sahakian, we could never have done it without your kind heart and your wonderful staff at Pacific Fertility Center.