Last night we went to the world premiere of a film called ‘Joy’ at the Royal Festival Hall. We were invited because we paid for tickets. We had to queue to get onto our red carpet which was sectioned off from the really red carpet reserved for the stars in the movie.
No-one looked at us and the paparazzi couldn’t see us if they wanted to (which they didn't). The only picture taken of me was by my wife, next a white pillar...in which you can clearly see the sign for the loos over my left shoulder. Still...the movie was great and we ate a whole packet of Fruit Pastels.
‘Joy’ is the true story of the struggles by a small team of doctors and scientists to achieve the world’s first IVF baby. IVF is something I have personal experience with and it is no joke. Like being a parent, you have no idea what you’re in for until you’ve been through it.
The road to Baby Town can sometimes be less of a joyous rollercoaster and more like an exhausting trek. For some lucky couples, conception is as easy as brushing past their partner while reaching for a slice of Marmite toast. But for others? It feels more like a never-ending game of Monopoly—overpriced properties, and everyone constantly Googling “How many fertility apps are too many?”
When you actually start trying for a baby and it takes a while, you discover there’s a magical 12-second window each month when the stars have to align just right. Blink, and you miss it! Forget romantic candlelight dinners; think checking your ovulation tracker like you’re launching a mission to the International Space Station. It’s about as sexy as a dishwasher leak.
Then there’s the emotional side of this rollercoaster. One month, you’re convinced you’ve cracked the code: eating kale, doing fertility yoga (yes, it’s a thing—I’ve even traveled to India for it), and avoiding anything with caffeine. By mid-cycle, you’re optimistic. “This is it! We’re totally getting that baby!”
Fast forward two weeks, and another fail, which feels like the universe just slapped you with your great-granny’s damp slipper. You live and die by that tiny white stick. If there’s one universal symbol of hope for prospective parents, it’s the trusty pregnancy test—designed to deliver either joyous news or crushing disappointment with all the finesse of a brick.
IVF: The Next Level of Baby-Making Madness
If the baby dance isn’t bringing results, you might find yourself diving into the world of IVF. It’s like the Olympics of conception—intense, expensive, and requiring herculean-level stamina for blood tests, hormone shots, and appointments with fertility specialists who have seen more of your partner than you.
IVF is filled with hope and heartbreak. Some lucky folks get their miracle after one round, while others endure multiple attempts before they even see a glimmer of success. Contrary to common belief, the chances of success with IVF are really not that high.
Some Tips:
Prioritise self-care; talk about with friends and family or those with experience; know when to seek help; consider freezing some eggs when you have passed 32; find a good acupuncturist.
At the end of the day, making a baby is a strange concoction of science, timing, and sheer luck. It can feel isolating, emotional, and sometimes downright bizarre. But—there’s always hope.
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