That turned to joy after the couple joined a study testing a pioneering 3D-printed IVF device smaller than the width of a human hair, and conceived twins soon after.
"It was a really bewildering experience and I felt quite a lot of shame and confusion because I didn't really know anybody who was also experiencing fertility issues," Annie, 36, told AAP.
"When I finally got a positive pregnancy test, it was just pure elation and just so much relief that the saga was finally over."
The tiny device developed by Melbourne IVF scientists gently supports an egg during fertilisation as sperm is being injected into it.
Known as microICSI, the technology is modernising the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection in vitro fertilisation procedure, which has remained largely unchanged for decades.
"What we're trying to do is re-imagine how we can perform some of the more difficult tasks in IVF," renowned scientist David Gardner told AAP.
"We've got the world's first pregnancy using this device, which is wonderful.
"We'd like to think the device was helping this patient."
The new process uses a microscopic Fertilis 3D-printed cup that cradles the egg, eliminating the need for a traditional suction pipette and reducing the number of movements required.
"We are protecting the egg at two levels: cupping the egg, thereby absorbing the pressure from the needle, and we don't need to apply suction at the back end," Professor Gardner said.Â
"It was a win-win ... "
The ongoing clinical study has already resulted in six pregnancies using the device.
"This is going to really make IVF more available ... because it is a much more efficient technique," Prof Gardner said.
"This provides great hope for the patients, which is what it's all about, helping the patients achieve their family as quickly as possible."
The procedure is also easier to learn than traditional ICSI and less stressful for the embryologist.
"What we're finding ... is people seem to be able to learn to make it quicker, which means we'll have more availability of technology to help patients, again leading to greater success," Prof Gardner said.
"We believe it's going to help standardise the process and it seems to take less time.
Annie and Jack's IVF journey started after unsuccessfully trying to naturally conceive their second child for 10 months, as they'd done with their firstborn.
"We had poor results initially," she said.
"The rationale we were given for that by my doctor was there seemed to be sort of a communication issue between my eggs and my partner's sperm."
ICSI was recommended but after five further rounds, they hadn't fallen pregnant.
"I was given the diagnosis of just unexplained infertility," Annie said.
"It was really quite baffling and frustrating, and this went on for around two-and-a-half years."
Tests revealed she had silent endometriosis and adenomyosis, which were stopping her ability to conceive.
Annie was treated for both, joining the study as she and Jack, 38, started their sixth IVF round.
"I achieved an excellent result ... and fell pregnant with twins," she said.
"Jack was thrilled but I must admit I was daunted initially.
"But I have really come around to the idea and we're very excited for our babies' arrival."
Annie, who is now 17 weeks pregnant, says the kindness and support of doctor, Marina Demyanenko, helped her through the tough journey.
"I'm really grateful and it's just so wonderful to see some innovation in this area, given the technology hasn't changed over the last few decades.
The current clinical study is evaluating whether the technology can support fertilisation, embryo development and pregnancy outcomes comparable to standard ICSI.
Prof Gardner and his team will present the early results at the world's largest fertility conference in London this week.
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