Comment about IVF read out on Woman’s hour!!!

[Beechnut1]

bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001lvk

On Monday woman’s hour on BBC radio 4 they did a programme on IVF. I sent them an email briefly discussing my experience of IVF and being a midwife and on the weekend repeat they read out my comment!! I nearly crashed the car I was so shocked 🤣😂. I never thought In a million years that it would be read out.

I have shared it with my colleagues because there support has been so essential to me.

Although I felt the programme itself was actually quite superficial and only really touched the very surface about the true emotional and physical impact of IVF. I don’t think I fully thought through saying something quite so publicly AND with my real actual name attached to it, I feel like I’ve let the cat out the bag so much so my ex got in touch because he’d heard it 😬😬😬. He was very sweet and supportive but still 😬😬😬 maybe regret it slightly. At the same time I don’t want to regret I want to be out and proud!!

We are all infertility warriors and should be bloody well proud of ourselves. I have so much adoration of you all and support you give each other everyday!

Love to you all 💜💜💜

If you’re interested my comment in 38.14 mins in xxx

I’m off to go and stab myself with some progesterone

[Hidden]

Well done you are so brave. Xx

[Beechnut1 in reply to Hidden]

Or totally silly 😬😬!! Still trying to figure it out x

[Hidden in reply to Beechnut1]

It's so hard to get the balance right. And everyone is different. But hey, you just jumped right in at the deep end. I really admire you xx

[Hidden]

Wow that’s awesome! Well done and thank you for making people sit up and listen! Definitely awks re ex but at same time I think people think ivf is what happens to ‘other’ people so maybe it will make people think about it more and realise infertility can happen to ANYONE and not just menopausal old birds who drink and smoke 40 a day

Go you! Congrats xx

[Saya85 in reply to Hidden]

Lol so true! Since starting this journey I've found out so many of my close family members and friends have gone through IVF and hardly anyone knew.

It's hard for us to talk about it sometimes but maybe if we all did a little it would make it less mysterious !

[Beechnut1 in reply to Saya85]

Absolutely! Talking about it is definitely essential. I suppose it’s all about balance to tell a select few people that you trust as I think to many people knowing can add to some people’s stress. I needed the people I work closely with to know as midwifery is a rollercoaster at the best of times! I hope by them seeing my experience they can understand more what the women on their caseloads that have conceived through IVF have gone through! The more empathy the better!! I’ve also been totally shocked about the lack of knowledge midwifes have about the IVF process

[Beechnut1 in reply to Hidden]

🤣 sometimes it drives me to want to smoke 40 a day and sink a whole bottle of gin! Love to you x x x

[Saya85]

Congratulations ! And how awful for you being a midwife and being infertile.

I used to think teachers had it bad but that would really be hard ! I'm lucky that I still enjoy others babies atm and am going to see my friend who had her IVF baby in august. Hoping to grab me some baby dust !

I wish they had actually gone into talking about different infertility issues, different things to be aware of and protoocols and how they differ from clinic and to do research.

So many of us think IVF is a one type fits all and wouldn't know how to recognise a crap clinic or treatment plan

[Kelz84]

Wow congratulations on such a brave but stressful journey your on. I haven’t heard your piece, But I will. It’s amazing how some people are so blind to the process of having a baby. Some people think it’s all fun and games, but when your a midwife and also have difficulties yourself. Wow! You are truly one strong remarkable woman. Such strength and love you have. Be proud of your moment and also be proud of yourself. Good luck with your journey. Sending lots of love xxx

[Beechnut1 in reply to Kelz84]

Thank you for such lovely words. Yip being a midwife is a bloody nightmare 🤣!!! We are all remarkably strong and resilient this journey is truly testing. I’ve just had to form an extra layer of armour otherwise I’d be completely broke and out of a job!! 🤣🤣🤣 lots of love to you too x x x

[Tugsgirl]

Don’t regret it. Stay proud xx

[Beechnut1 in reply to Tugsgirl]

Thanks hun as long as I don’t have any further conversations with my ex 🙈🙈🙈 I won’t regret it!!! 😂

[Lucylu_88]

Good on you! I don't think I said much about ivf when I was going through it. However, now I've been through it I tell everyone. I am so proud that I went through it and got my miracle. Wishing you lots of luck xx