With my newborn baby twins nestled into the crook of each arm, I gazed into their blue eyes and smiled at my husband, Mark, feeling a rush of joy sweep over me. I’d dreamt of this moment for so long, and now in February 2012 it was finally here – our daughter, Avery, and son, Connor, had been delivered by caesarean just hours before.
I didn’t anticipate having any problems getting pregnant, but after two years of trying for a baby, followed by two miscarriages, it became clear something was wrong. In 2010, fertility tests confirmed I had polycystic ovaries, and Mark and I would need IVF to have a baby of our own – only, our first round was unsuccessful.
By now we’d been trying for a baby for almost four years, but it had ended in nothing but heartbreak. With no one else in my family or social circle going through the same thing, I felt alone. That’s when I found a support group on Facebook and met Sandi, then 42. Just like Mark and I, she and her husband, Philip, 40, had tried IVF and were desperate for a child.
‘I don’t think people truly understand what it feels like unless you’ve been through it,’ I told her, messaging one night.
A huge commitment
‘That’s true, all we can do is stay positive,’ she replied. I found Sandi’s attitude inspiring – it didn’t matter what setbacks she faced, she stayed upbeat. When I discovered she only lived 20 minutes away, I invited them out for dinner, and Mark bonded with Philip over the sometimes intrusive process of IVF.
Esta historia es de la edición May 11, 2020 de WOMAN'S OWN.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 11, 2020 de WOMAN'S OWN.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards
I HATE BEING A MUM
One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?
Get the GOSS
Your round-up of this week's biggest showbiz stories