When Deidre Burgar looks at her children — Francesca, Mateo and Sebastian — she still can’t quite believe they’re here. Each child was conceived through IVF at the UW Health Fertility Care Clinic after years of infertility, multiple failed treatments abroad, and a diagnosis she didn’t fully understand until she met the right fertility specialist.
“It still amazes me,” she said. “UW Health gave me my three miracles.”
Her journey began with unanswered questions about her irregular cycles and a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) — one of the most common causes of infertility. It ended with expert care from Dr. Laura Cooney, a nationally recognized PCOS and reproductive endocrinology specialist in Madison, Wis., and a fertility clinic that made her feel supported, understood and genuinely hopeful.
PCOS: A common, but misunderstood infertility cause
Deidre spent most of her life suspecting that something wasn’t typical about her reproductive health.
“I never had regular periods. I had to be on the pill just to have one,” she said. “I didn’t officially know I had PCOS until after my wedding.”
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 10-15% of people of reproductive age and is one of the most common causes of infertility. It’s also one of the most confusing.
“PCOS is incredibly heterogeneous — no two patients look the same.” Dr. Cooney said. “That’s why so many people go years without understanding what’s happening inside their bodies.”
People with PCOS have eggs, often more than average, but their problem lies in that their ovaries don’t release an egg regularly. The brain and ovaries don’t work together correctly and, without consistent ovulation, it can be more difficult to get pregnant, Dr. Cooney explained.
“Helping patients finally understand what’s happening — that ‘aha moment’ — is one of my favorite parts of this work,” she said.
Her expertise became a turning point in Deidre’s story.
A global fertility journey
In 2018, Deidre and her husband, Lucas, were newly married and living in his home country of Argentina. She was 36 and wanted to begin trying for a baby right away. Testing revealed she had PCOS and a uterine septum, a structural difference that increases miscarriage risk and required surgery.
She pursued fertility treatment immediately without success. There was one failed intrauterine insemination (IUI) after nearly five months of hormone treatments, waiting for a single egg to mature. That was followed by two failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.
The clock was ticking, so the couple made a life‑changing decision: They would move to the United States to continue treatment. Deidre began looking for a clinic where she felt understood — particularly as a patient with PCOS.
A referral from Deidre’s cousin led them to UW Health Fertility Care. While researching clinics in Illinois and Wisconsin, one physician profile stood out: Dr. Cooney.
“She specializes in PCOS," Deidre said. "I thought, ‘She deals with exactly what I have. I want her.’ ”
Deidre arrived at her first appointment with years of medical records — much of it in Spanish — but instead of feeling overwhelmed, she felt immediate comfort.
“I had to explain my entire medical history in Spanish first. Medical Spanish is so different from conversational Spanish. But Dr. Cooney made it feel like no big deal,” Deidre said. “It felt like a warm blanket being back in the Midwest.”
Dr. Cooney remembers these moments as some of the most meaningful parts of her work.
“So many PCOS patients have spent years confused or dismissed,” she said. “Providing clarity and hope is something I care deeply about.”
Her commitment extends beyond the clinic. Dr. Cooney helps develop international PCOS guidelines and leads research on specific topics in PCOS, including new fertility options, inflammation, mental health and brain blood flow mechanisms.
“I want patients to not only get answers but to feel empowered,” she said.
Collaborative, personalized fertility care from UW Health
Because of Deidre’s age and PCOS profile, Dr. Cooney recommended IVF as the most effective path forward. And in a turn of good fortune, Deidre had returned home to northern Illinois — coincidentally one of only a few states with mandatory fertility insurance coverage.
“I was ready to move forward no matter the cost, but when the financial officer told me my insurance would cover treatment, I almost cried right there in the chair,” she said.
Her first successful embryo transfer in Madison occurred in September 2020.
Even when Dr. Cooney went on maternity leave, the seamless collaboration at UW Health continued.
“Our clinic works hard as a team,” Dr. Cooney said. “Our doctors meet on a weekly basis to review patients’ IVF cycles to ensure they receive top-notch, well-coordinated care.”
Dr. Aleksandar Stanic-Kostic performed one of Deidre’s transfers.
“He was amazing,” Deidre said. “I always felt like I was in good hands — no matter who was in the room.”
Three pregnancies, three healthy babies
Thanks to tailored IVF protocols and expert PCOS management, Deidre delivered three healthy babies in four years: Francesca in June 2021, Mateo in January 2023 and Sebastian in February 2025.
“With all the problems my body had getting pregnant, once I was pregnant, I felt great,” she said. “I was so lucky to have three normal pregnancies.”
Life with three kids has been joyful chaos for Deirdre and Lucas.
“Everyone said after two it’s all the same, but three is a lot more than two,” Deidre said. “Everything is hazy, but wonderful.”
Deidre and Lucas now live in Elkhorn, Wis., with their children. After years in Los Angeles and Buenos Aires, Wisconsin feels like home.
Looking at her children, Deidre said the truth is simple: “UW Health gave me my three miracles.”
And for Dr. Cooney, there’s no greater reward.
“Seeing patients with PCOS finally understand their bodies — and watching them build the families they’ve dreamed of — is why I do this,” she said.