MADISON (WMSN) -- For many parents, the journey to getting pregnant is smooth sailing.

For others, it's a long road of struggles and hardships - all in the quest to have a baby.

27 News spoke to a Madison family who shared their 5 year journey this National Infertility Awareness Week.

For Madison residents Jessie and Jim Dushek - it's been a long journey to get where they are today with their nearly 4-month-old daughter Joanie.

Jessie began trying at 27-years-old.

After a year with no luck - they went to the Wisconsin Fertility Institute in Middleton.

"The diagnosis for me was that my eggs weren't strong enough to produce a child so we thought about it and decided to go the donor egg route," said Jessie Dushek, Madison Resident.

With the donor egg, they used in vitro fertilization, or IVF.

"We were fortunate to get pregnant with Joanie, it makes you wonder why you didn't start sooner," said Jessie Dushek.

As their doctor, Elizabeth Pritts an OBGYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist tells us - the longer you wait, the harder it gets.

"Once we hit 30 years old, the quality of our eggs decline. By the time we're 43 years old only 10% of us can, so our fertility really weighs quickly, the clock is ticking," said Dr. Pritts.

About 1 in 8 couples are living with infertility. What many of you may not realize is how many men make up that number.

"The male factor is about 50% of the time the other part is a female problem. Most of the time we're not really sure why, and there's not much we can do to fix it unless we use IVF," said Dr. Pritts.

There are many ways to figure it out - if you get to the doctor sooner than later. For Jessie and Jim their advice is to stay hopeful.

"Be supportive of her and be ready for anything that comes your way," said Jim Dushek.