‘I had a growing sense of shame’
Sarah Lawrence, 47, lives in Kent with her husband Jim, 49.
When I met Jim through friends in 1995, neither of us was even thinking about kids, but after I stopped taking the pill aged 28, as it was affecting my mental health, my biological clock kicked in practically overnight.
After we got engaged in 2010, when I was 34, we decided to start trying for a baby. I hadn’t fallen pregnant by our wedding the following year, but I was still optimistic. In May 2012, I was thrilled to finally see a positive pregnancy test. Then, at six weeks, we lost the baby.
While we didn’t feel able to share news of the miscarriage with friends and family, I had to tell my boss because I needed time off from my job in financial services.
ACCEPTANCE
I had a growing sense of shame about my infertility. If someone asked, ‘Do you have kids?’ I’d change the subject. In late 2013, I decided to see yet another gynaecologist, who referred me for a laparoscopy to examine my abdomen and pelvis. I was told I had stage four endometriosis and wouldn’t be able to have children naturally.
Devastated and in denial, I tried acupuncture, homoeopathy and reflexology. I bought crystals for fertility and followed a special diet. Eventually, I started seeing a counsellor, and working with her helped me accept that what the doctor had told me was true.
We had been offered IVF on the NHS after the laparoscopy, but decided not to pursue it, as during my last investigation we’d found out only one of my ovaries was working, so the chances of it being successful were small. And after everything we’d been through, I couldn’t face going through the adoption process.
Bu hikaye WOMAN'S OWN dergisinin April 03, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye WOMAN'S OWN dergisinin April 03, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
ANITA NAIK A PROBLEM SHARED
Mum-of-two Anita Naik has been an agony aunt for 32 years
ON SAFARI IN SOUTH AFRICA
Add the wilds of Kruger National Park to your bucket list, says Amanda James
'LET'S RAISE SOME SERIOUS CASH!'
The Radio 2 DJ is among the hosts of Children In Need…
THREE WOMEN ONE DRESS
Gemma Stevens, 34, needed a wedding dress that had stood the test of time
HOW TO HAVE A SILENT NIGHT
Trouble nodding off? Waking in the early hours? Our experts can help
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on I'm a Celeb, work attire and young drivers
I THOUGHT HE'D COME TO KILL ME
For Sally Meeson, 45, the end of a relationship was the beginning of a nightmare
Loose Women IN CRISIS
With unhappy viewers and panel fall-outs, are the key characters about to be axed?
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