Please don't judge me because I'm going to tell you something now and it might change how you feel about me....I love the X Factor. There I said it. I love it. I love Dermott. I love using my 5 votes on the free app, I love Dermott, I love the fact that every year I think it's fixed and I love Dermott. (Have I mentioned that?!)
There is however one thing I dislike and it happens every year- the bloody sob stories. You know.....my mom is an Irish disabled and my sister has brain injury and I grew up on a council estate.....I can't sing, but I really want a chance to change my families life..... and they get put through even though they are more tone deaf than Katie Price! Now you might be thinking- you're a walking contradiction, your whole blog has been developed around how shit your body was at creating and growing babies! The perfect Sob Story. Well yes, it probably would get me through to judges houses, but I'm trying to view my story a bit differently. I want it to be a bloody good story, inspiring, hope giving, real- not another hard luck tale. So today I'm going to ask you to share your bloody good. inspiring, hope giving real pregnancy stories. It doesn't have to be a sad hard tale. I want to hear from people who had no trouble getting up the duff, those who have long term issues (PCOS etc), anyone who has a baby, tell us how you got there! (we don't need all the details! :) ) If you're not a parent- still get involved! Tell us your plans- be proud of them, what would be your ideal scenario. Are you worried about something? Ask if someone has any experiences that may help you! Please, only first hand stories- we all know of a friend of a friend of a friend who got pregnant whilst living in a convent alone. Real stories from real people- you! If you read something that you like, let that person know. So, over to you! Go!Go!Go! (Please feel free to remain anonymous if you want!)
35 Comments
Ah Jennie, I could make a lot of my life a sob story, and dwell on the sad things that have happened. But without those things happening, my life wouldn't be what it was now.
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Jen
9/14/2016 09:54:24 pm
Beautifully written! And absolutely true! Xx
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Laura
9/14/2016 10:17:28 pm
So...I have two miracles. I am a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. I always subconsciously felt that having babies wasn't going to come naturally for me. A long wait, endless repeated tests bought us to the conclusion of IVF. First time lucky for us and our beautiful Seth arrived. For quite a time I wasn't sure I could do the IVF thing again and always maintained I was more than happy with the miracle I had been given. Not to bore you with the long story......it was confirmed rather spectacularly that naturally made babies were a no go for us.......and another long wait whilst we dealt with other things life threw at us....before IVF cycle number two bought the beautiful 5 month old I am currently cradling. So yes we went the long way around but I consider myself lucky that it worked both times for us....for others I know this is sadly not the case. I often joked during our journeys that we would end up on maternity leave together.....and that is exactly where our journeys have taken us Jen.....and for me that is a blessing! ☺❤
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Jen
9/14/2016 10:21:48 pm
❤️❤️
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Kerensa
9/14/2016 10:31:55 pm
As you already know, it took me 10 long years and 8 attempts at IVF before I finally became pregnant. Before that, I had countless operations and procedures. A life without children of my own just wasn't an option for me. Yes, it was hard. Yes, I cried myself to sleep most nights. Yes, I hated everyone who was pregnant and that included my sister. But every time I got knocked down - and there were plenty of those times - it just made me more determined to succeed next time. There was no end in sight for me, other than taking my baby home. I refused to believe that I would never become pregnant. Others believed that but I couldn't. Even my husband said that eventually we would have to draw a line under it and move on. I just couldn't envisage a time when that would happen. I never gave up hope, even when other couples I'd befriended at MFS became pregnant on their first cycle and I was on my seventh. If you want something as badly as I wanted a baby, you just have to keep going, keep believing. My eighth attempt finally worked and then eleven months after the birth of my son, I gave birth to my daughter. I grieved for the death of every single embryo my husband and I created. To me they were all my babies. I used to torture myself about what sex they would have been, their eye and hair colour, what would we have called them. But if my first cycle had have worked, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I wouldn't have been able to give advice and hope to others in my situation. Most importantly, Cameron and Eloise simply would never have existed. Hope is the strongest thing I know of, next to a Mother's love. Never give up.xx
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Jen
9/14/2016 10:35:07 pm
Perfect! And thank you for taking the time xx
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Laura
9/14/2016 10:44:34 pm
❤❤
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Nic
9/14/2016 10:36:38 pm
When I was 20 my usually irregular periods just stopped. I waited and waited but nothing. My heart dropped- I was pregnant and I had plans- how inconvenient!! I took a test.... it was negative.... 2nd test...negative. went to the doctors who sent me for an ultrasound. 2 scans later I was diagnosed with PCOS and told that I may never get pregnant and if I did the chance of me carrying my child long enough for them to survive (to be "viable") was very slim. My whole future (as I saw it) had gone.
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Jen
9/14/2016 10:45:30 pm
Blimey! What a story! And brilliantly told! Moral of the story- get really drunk and pee on stick and your dreams will continue me true! :P what an outcome!
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The Wend
9/14/2016 10:50:39 pm
Where do I start.
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Jen
9/14/2016 10:54:24 pm
Awesome! Ginger on your piles?! That's a new one......and one I might try! :P
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Kayte
9/14/2016 11:37:11 pm
We got married mostly to have children. I could not imagine life without becoming a mother. My best friend now has 6 children and I wanted in on that club.
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Jen
9/15/2016 12:19:46 am
Kayte- who knew hey?! What a remarkable story you have and how exciting to have some frozen embryos! Thank you for letting us be a small part of your journey just by hearing it! xx
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Claire
9/14/2016 11:58:17 pm
As someone who hasn't started their journey to motherhood yet, It's so nice to hear all of these stories as most seem to have a happy ending despite all of the pain and it really does give lots of hope. I am hopefully not too far away from starting a family but after having been close to friends that have suffered an awful struggle to get there, I am so worried that it won't be so easy for me. I can honestly say it's on my mind daily and I don't want to end up driving myself crazy. It's been an honour to be a small part of my friends journeys but it has made me so much aware of how tough it can be... Maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones, maybe it's made me slightly more prepared for what may be if not...
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Jen
9/15/2016 12:17:51 am
I thought of you when writing this post. You have every reason to be positive! And you should be excited by your future baby plans- it's an exciting time for you! Remember we had our journey to get here and every last one of us started that journey full of optimism- it's a right of passage!! Don't jump ahead- enjoy the moment and the excitement of being able to say we are going to have kids without adding any what ifs or maybes! You have no reason to! None. Nada.
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Claire
9/15/2016 05:17:58 pm
Thanks Jen 😊
Lynda
9/15/2016 06:53:25 am
I love reading this Jen!!!! Dermot yes but I will confess right here I have a thing for Simon Cowell 🙈 (No judgement please)
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Jen
9/15/2016 09:49:38 am
Love this honest account of your journey into motherhood!! Thank you so much for sharing! Xx
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Meg
9/15/2016 08:00:04 am
So my story is definitely a happy one but with a few bumps in the road. A good few years back my husband and I were trying for a baby, we tried and months went by with nothing so after about 18 months of trying we went to the doctors just to make sure and be reassured that all will be ok and for us not to worry. So at the doctors we were told that it was best to do some tests, bloods from me and the 'man test' for my husband (you know the test I'm talking about), well in all honesty I was thinking 'perhaps he is the 'problem'', so the tests come back and turns out he has 'super sperm' and was in fact NOT the potential problem. My bloods came back as 'normal' however the doctors still referred us to the hospital. We weren't sure why and didn't really ask. We just thought 'it must be the next stage'. So at the hospital appointment we were called into the doctors room and promptly given a PCOS leaflet. We were both confused but the doctor continued to discuss the PCOS symptoms etc and it was only at that point that I had to stop her and say 'sorry are you telling me I have PCOS?' Her reply 'yes, were you not told this by your doctors, that's why you are here, for an ultrasound to get it confirmed'. Well we were shocked, we were told by our doctors that the bloods came back 'normal', apparently this was not the case. So to cut a long story short, it was confirmed, my ovaries looked like a pearl necklace (no sniggering please!) and I had PCOS. My thoughts were 'that's it, we won't have children, it's all over'. We were devastated.... 2 weeks later my period was late and not just normal late - late late. So we did a test and yes it was positive. We were beyond happy, lots of crying in the toilet staring at the test and disbelief that it was real. I won't go into what happened after with that particular pregnancy as that wasn't such a happy story but what I can tell you is that I do have PCOS but I also now have two beautiful children. PCOS doesn't always mean it won't happen and I'm living proof and believe me we know how very lucky we are to have two beautiful children and never take it for granted.
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Jen
9/15/2016 09:47:43 am
What a story and what beautiful kids too! Am sure you'll give hope to someone on the pcos journey. Thanks for sharing Meg, means a lot! X
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Sharon
9/15/2016 06:31:56 pm
A quote I once heard many years ago was "hope is an emotion that knows no bounds" and it's stuck with me through many things. The woman who is desperate for a boyfriend, a baby, whatever. Have hope. And keep hoping. No matter what it is your hoping for keep on doing just that . . . Hoping. And maybe hope will then one day give you the story that gets you to judges houses. Believing even when life says don't. Does that make sense!!!??
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Jen
9/15/2016 06:53:24 pm
Yes, yes and yes! Brilliant, as always x
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Missing one small ingredient...!
9/15/2016 10:12:27 pm
Firstly apologies for the code name, it's only in case this blog hits the big time, which it deserves to do and someone at work reads this. So I'm not even off the starter blocks...The strange thing is I always thought I would be a young Mum. Even at 17 I was broody and the only thing that stopped me was wanting to finish college and Uni. Then at 27 I was deliriously happy in a relationship with an amazing human who also wanted children. We were all set, deciding to start trying in a few months. Then life went pear shaped and I lost him. His death on its own was absolutely devastating, completely unexpected and it felt like I had lost everything. The added kicker was the baby thing. I had been in the ticket queue, with my mind fully committed to that journey and the destination and then Bam! Gone! 5 years later I'm still single and still live in the house we chose together to start a family. I want to find someone, I'm ready, (in fact I was in a relationship last year that didn't work out - a bit of a rubbish human this time) and I'm still desperate to have a baby. I'm 33, with no signs of any man on the horizon and something I'll be honest can't see happening before the clock in my head completely explodes but I'm determined. I've always wanted children and am not prepared to give up at least the chance of this happening. So if I haven't been swept off my feet in the next year (I'm sure Brad Pitt will come to his senses - and added bonus he's got loads of children) then I've decided to do this alone via a little help from a sperm donor and IVF. This isn't a snap decision, I know it may not work, God knows it won't be easy but I'm determined not to miss out on something I've always wanted because I'm on my own. If it doesn't work, then you'll see me in one of those cheap magazines as one of those women with 78 cats!! Some of the stories on here at heartbreaking and proof that life is pretty shit sometimes, however Jen and other stories on here give me an I expect many others true hope to everyone. This blog is brilliant, a great insight, beautifully written, hilarious and honest. Jen you're a legend, enjoy those beautiful boys!
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Jen
9/15/2016 10:23:16 pm
Xx
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Laura
9/15/2016 10:43:34 pm
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing that. Made me stop and realise once again just how blessed I am! ❤
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Claire
9/15/2016 10:45:12 pm
Wow! I hope you don't mind me replying... You have really moved me with your story... I'm absolutely speechless! Thank you for sharing 💚
Missing one small ingredient...!
9/15/2016 11:13:43 pm
Thanks Jen, Claire and Laura, really appreciate it. Didn't know whether to write it as didn't want it to come across as the X Factor drivel that Jen describes and I equally hate. I just think there must be plenty of people who are in a similar position to me and think many people may not consider going it alone. Also have a lot of friends who have gone through really tough times getting there as a couple but don't know anyone who has done this on their own so will be interesting to hear from anyone who has or is thinking of doing the same. Laura, so glad you defied the odds and Claire I agree with Jen, enjoy the excitement - for every person that struggles there are many more that get there without a hitch xxx
Meg
9/15/2016 11:46:06 pm
If anyone can do it alone it's 'missing one small ingredient' but I hope you won't have too. Who ever said having children was easy and 'the most natural thing in the world' is a liar. Getting these babies here doesn't 'just happen' for some people. For some it's really hard and emotionally draining but keep hope and strength in your pockets ladies xx
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Missing one small ingredient...!
9/18/2016 11:05:02 am
Xxx
Shannon
9/15/2016 11:21:00 pm
All of these stories are touching and emotional! I'm a sucker for a story. You all deserve the best!
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Jen
9/16/2016 08:26:58 pm
Thank you so much for commenting, it means a lot! You're right, these stories are touching and overwhelming at times, but behind every one is a kick arse woman making the very best of it.
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Amy
9/16/2016 09:53:17 am
So I had a diagnose of PCOS at 18 yrs and started my midwifery training, always knowing that I may not be able to have my own children. I met my husband at uni and we got married soon after and I came off the pill as I thought we may have problems. 9 months later no periods not one we went to GP and were referred to fertility unit, we tried metformin which made me feel lousy constantly nauseous and lost my appetite, now 13 months with no periods. Then we tried clomid, which worked on the 3rd cycle I had a textbook pregnancy, labour and birth, at 39 weeks. I was fortunate enough to birth my own baby rather than deliver someone else's. My gorgeous boy is now 19 months old and a cheeky toddler. It was worth all the heartache to be where we are now!
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Jen
9/16/2016 08:10:40 pm
Thank you for sharing! I know your story will help others- when they are presented with help options, even just reading this will have them better informed! Perfect xx
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Danielle
9/16/2016 12:29:37 pm
Some of these story...wow! So we were among the lucky ones who conceived after a couple of months of 'trying' and I was left expecting the whole pregnancy thing would be a breeze, I mean my mom had 3 text book pregnancies so obviously I would be the same...wrong!! At our 12 week scan and check up my blood pressure was high, 'oh maybe you're just excited' they said and they took it again...still the same. An hour later we had to see a constant who uttered words I never thought I'd hear 'pre-eclampsia'...I was suddenly sent into panic as the only person I knew have this had unfortunately had many complications which led to her little boy beig brain damaged. Anyway it led to me having to have weekly blood pressure checks with my midwife and taking it at home 3 times a day, keeping a diary (it became he bain of my life!!). We had a few little scares along the way but managed to keep my bp under control and the doctors had said that I probably had white coat syndrome as I had no other symptoms. That was until the last week of my pregnancy, my bloods had changed and they wanted me in to be induced (which I was not happy about as I booked to have eyelash extensions done 😂) In I went on the Monday expecting it to be a breeze and by Wednesday we would definitely have our baby. 2 failed pessarys later and only 1cm dialated I was sent to a delivery suite on the Thursday for them to attempt to break my waters. They managed it and I was put on the 'drip of death' (as I like to call it) things soon escalated and I developed pre-eclampsia and was moved onto hdu. They left me until the Friday afternoon but I still wasn't dialating and my body was starting to fail so off I went for an emergency c-section (cue lots of crying from me and my mom looking like she might faint at any minute). The section went with no complications and after a further 5 days in hospital to make sure I wasn't going to die we were allowed home! Fast forward 12 and a bit months and we find ourselves expecting again, we start telling our close friends and family as we already have one child so it's going to be fine! Wrong! Unfortunately this little seed wasn't ready to join the world. So while miscarriages are very common I'm now left wondering if previous complications have affected my ability to carry another child...I guess only time will tell. All I know is we are incredibly blessed with a beautiful, healthy boy, had I developed pre-eclampsia earlier it could have been a different story!!
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Jen
9/16/2016 08:07:50 pm
Wow! What a story of such complete and utter joy mixed with such sadness. Thank you so much for sharing and keeping it absolutely real with your worries. I hope if their are answers you will get them. If there aren't I hope you can find peace. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that utter joy will return to you soon.
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Author38 year old mom of twins. That's it, my current identity in a nut shell. Archives
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