The Chatty Blog

CIAO, WELCOME TO THE CHATTY BLOG

Now, this is the story all about how,
My life got flipped-turned upside down,
And I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there,¹

Actually, I’m not going to tell how I became the Prince of Bel-Air, that wasn’t my story obviously. What I’m going to tell you, is how I ended up sitting in the dark at, roughly, 3 in the morning listening to my husband snoring next to me and cradling this amazing, shiny new, person in my arms while they fed.

The path to motherhood wasn’t easy. It was full of pain, anger, confusion, stunned silence, hope, and, oh, so many tears. Getting pregnant wasn’t a slam dunk, it was more like a test of strength, tenacity, and introspection.

In short, it’s about IBD, fertility, blind prejudice to women in their 40s, listening to people you think are experts, finding yourself in premature ovarian failure, donor eggs, bucket loads of tears (did I mention that) and clinging to the power of positive daydreaming.

Now in the darkness, feeding my baby and listening to the heartbeat of white noise, I find peace. This challenging path led me to the most incredible gift and I wouldn’t change them for the world.

I’m grateful every day to Marco, family, and friends who stood by me every step of the way.

The reason I’m writing this blog is twofold. Firstly it’s a way of processing the events of the last 5 years. A cathartic release that allows me to be present with my wonderful little family. Yes, I’m still working on my trust issues with medical professionals, it’ll just take some time.

Secondly, I want to reach out to those who, despite being surrounded by love and support, feel like they’re standing alone in the dark. I hope that sharing my journey makes someone feel a little less alone, find a little comfort, and maybe some hope or inspiration. Whatever it is I hope to make someone feel a little better even just for a moment.

This blog is filter and AI-free. It’s simply an account of my story as I see it ?

One thing that I will say now, fertility clinics are experts in getting you pregnant not in reproductive health. If I had gone to the women’s natural health clinic before the fertility clinic, it may have changed the story.

Please understand, this isn’t a manual on what to do; it’s a reflection of my personal journey and the choices that worked for me. In medicine, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. You are a vital piece of your healthcare puzzle, and your voice deserves to be heard.

I’d like to add a caveat here for you to bear in mind when you read the rest of this blog. I have the utmost respect for the NHS and all the front-line staff that show up daily and work tirelessly to try and heal us, often overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated. I know many loved ones who owe their health (including mine) to the NHS.

We encourage you to share your stories and experiences in the comments. This is a space for support, shared experiences, and informed debate, free from judgment and bullying. We hope this blog offers you comfort and strength.

Take care and stay strong.

Annique and Marco