Michaella Bates Keilen and her husband Brandon looked for answers regarding their fertility struggles on the latest episode of "Bringing Up Bates."
The couple, who lives in Chicago, is part of the the Bates mega-family of Rocky Top.
The episode featured the Keilens visiting Rocky Top to view the Great American Eclipse, which took place on Aug. 21, 2017, and to see OBGYN Dr. George Vick in Knoxville for a procedure.
"Michaella and Brandon, you know, something that's really been on their heart is about, you know, seeing some fertility specialists and trying to get to the bottom of maybe what the cause is for delayed pregnancy, so they had been in contact with Dr. Vick's office, and it just worked out that there was going to be an opening for an appointment right in the same week of the eclipse," said Kelly Jo Bates in a confessional.
Fertility procedure was 'encouraging'
Starting in February 2017, the Keilens underwent some fertility tests and blood work but received no answers on why they struggled to get pregnant.
Their next step involved visiting Dr. Vick's office in Knoxville for a procedure.
While at the office, Michaella received a Hysterosalpingogram test, which takes a photo of the uterus and fallopian tubes, to see if she had a blockage that could prevent her from getting pregnant.
"The procedure was just a test to find out if there was a tubal blockage, which they I think found but were able to partially clear through the procedure," said Michaella. "So it's supposed to be just a test to help you out, but with everything that happened, I think it did help some, and that was very very encouraging."
'Perspective is everything'
She said struggling with fertility has been tough on her and Brandon, but it's also brought them closer together as a couple.
"A lot of times perspective is everything and when I'm having a really hard time and a lot of tears, just focusing on all of the positives to try and think of all of the benefits from it. At the top of the list, I think would be how much closer we've gotten to each other. It has a beautiful side too," said Michaella.
"It's been quite a journey, but I'm so proud of Michaella. She's been a trooper through it all," said Brandon.
Bates family celebrates eclipse
The episode also focused on the Bates family enjoying the Great American Eclipse and celebrating Judson Bates and Brandon's birthdays.
A friend of Erin Bates Paine's let the Bates family have the party at her house, which had a pool and an inflatable slide.
New episodes of "Bringing up Bates" air at 9 p.m. Thursdays on the Up Network. The show's seventh season will feature an upcoming engagement, a courtship and new relationships, jobs and pregnancies.