When the doctor couldn’t look us in the eye during an appointment in summer 2017, I knew it wasn’t good news. ‘The embryos haven’t survived,’ he confirmed apologetically. It was a devastating blow to me and my husband Chris, then 35.
Chris and I had been trying to have a baby for nine months, but despite monitoring my ovulation cycle to increase our chances, month after month we’d see the same negative result.
‘Why isn’t it happening for us?’ I’d cried to Chris.
Convinced something was wrong, I booked to see a doctor in March 2017. Tests revealed problems with my fallopian tubes, and my ovaries weren’t functioning as well as they should, meaning I was producing fewer eggs. ‘You can keep trying, but it’s unlikely to happen naturally,’ we were told.
Undefeated, Chris and I began looking into IVF. At almost £20,000 a cycle, we scraped together all of our savings for one round and pinned all of our hopes on it being a success. But now, after the doctor told us the embryos hadn’t survived, we were distraught as the reality of never having a baby of our own sank in.
It was really hard to come to terms with. ‘I just can’t imagine a life without children,’ I told Chris, who agreed with me. We were both still determined to have a family, one way or another, so we began researching other options. ‘We’ve always been open to adoption,’ Chris reminded me.
FINDING HOPE
Denne historien er fra January 03, 2022-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
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Denne historien er fra January 03, 2022-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the gender gap, cats and timed hugs
Check out CHICAGO
With a spectacular skyline, sandy beaches and great food, the Windy City is calling, says Zoe West
LET'S EMBRACE OUR CHRISTMAS TAT!
Becky Dickinson explains why she'll still be rocking around her tinsel-strewn tree this year
BURIED SECRETS
We look at the shocking cases of celebrities posthumously accused of being sexual predators-and how they got away with it
FESTIVE NO-BAKES
Pop on the Christmas tunes and whip up a batch of these easy sweet treats
PROTECT YOUR SMILE
Are you doing enough to look after your teeth and gums?
'TIS THE SEASON TO SHINE!
At last, Hayley McCrossan, 39, feels fit and healthy
FOR THE LOVE OF TOM
When Deborah Mitchell, 57, lost her son, she vowed to help other families facing the same heartbreak
THE NURSE WHO LEFT MY GRANDAD FOR DEAD belict
Rachael Fealey, 31, had one question for the woman who killed her beloved Grampa - how could you?
Coleen's MONEY WORRIES
What are the reasons behind her financial and marriage fears?