Even before Nick and I started trying to have kids, I would sometimes imagine the insanely happy moment of seeing two lines appear on a stick, then conjuring up a clever way to surprise him with the news. But after years of trying, infertility and then IVF have transformed getting pregnant from something I once viewed as encapsulated in a single moment into a process defined by so many points along a journey, each point with its own different odds of either heartbreak or advancing to the next step. And at each point, the only thing you can really do is hope.
After we completed egg retrieval last year, one of the next crucial points was the embryo transfer, followed by an anxiety-ridden wait to find out if it implanted successfully. Although I kept telling myself to keep my hopefulness in check based on probabilities, the truth was I felt like I had poured everything I had, both emotionally and physically, into that single embryo.
While in a cab earlier this month, we finally got that phone call from the IVF nurse with my blood test results, and she uttered news we’d been hoping to hear for so long:
“You’re pregnant!”
I remember barely breathing, as Nick and I just sat there blankly. It was like we were both brimming with joy, yet neither of us wanted to let it out in case it might not be real or it might not last. But when I looked over and saw a tear well up in his eye, it really started to hit me. And with each day and each doctor’s appointment, it’s becoming much more real.
I’m now about 9 weeks along, which I know is a little early to share by traditional standards. I’m feeling especially anxious, since infertility has made it hard for me to trust my own body to do the things it’s supposed to do. However, this journey has taught me to find strength in knowing you’re not alone and knowing others have experienced and felt the things you have and more — especially when the outcome is not certain. It’s also shown me that things don’t always happen how you expect them to, and there are many different paths to get where you’re trying to go.
Even though this road didn’t unfold how we’d imagined, we couldn’t be more grateful and so very happy to have made it to this point. Thank you to each one of you who shared hope, positivity, and encouragement thus far, and we’re so excited to continue sharing this next chapter with you!
Can you talk more about the process and why you chose that fertility method? We’re planning on starting that process of fertility treatments and I want to know what others went through regarding the options and their thought process. Thanks.
Congratulations! !!! Great news
As of right now I am in my 1.5 weeks of 5 day transfer and the wait is hard and the past few days I end up with a lot of cramps and today saw light pink discharge. I’m just 2 days from the blood test day and I’m getting cramps, pink discharge and even major lower back pains. I can’t help but think something may have happened to the embryo and I don’t even know if it’s growing since I can’t see nor feel it. Im just afraid and don’t know how to prepare for when the results comes out when I go in for a blood test. This is absolutely very hard and first time going through IVF.
Reading your post made me feel a bit better and made me smile the fact you got through it all and you’re pregnant! Congratulations Jean!
Congratulations Jean! Wishing you and Nick the best.
Congratulations Jean & Nick. So happy for you two! Praying for a safe delivery and healthy adorable baby!
I don’t know you personally, but I’m extremely happy for you! I have experienced secondary infertility for 6 years and while our stories are different, I relate to the feelings you shared on here. One thing I learned is that people don’t usually mean to say thoughtless remarks about “baby making”. But it hurts nonetheless. Thanks for being brave and sharing something so personal. I’m sure you have encouraged other women with your story.
I am sure it is great news however i am afraid you will just turn into another mommy blogger who starts to talk about pregnancy clothing, baby bottles and all kids-related products. Which, i don’t blame you, it is what a mother does. However from a long-term follower, i am sad i that i will be losing another great website.
Congratulations! This is so exciting. I wish you all the luck in the world!!
X
Samantha
http://www.thenewyorkblonde.com
I must say that this is the first time I want to leave a message here, because I am the same person you are looking forward to being a mom. Although I’ve been paying close attention to you for more than a year, even my English is not good. But to see you have a successful pregnancy, I was surprised and happy. To be sure, in the coming months, you will still be a confident mother and a hardworking attitude, as you did wait for a long time … I am also a petite girl, but In life, but not enough confidence, when I see you and wendy that kind of confidence and honesty brought about by my heart is touched. I want to learn from you myself. For their own good, beautiful, to life and to change. I was married when I was 23 years old,eat a lot of Chinese medicine To get pregnant , But we always want a second child, a blink of an eye my son has 10 years old, in order to pregnancy again, also made a lot of efforts, or infertility, this year we finally Decided to do artificial conception, and find a suitable hospital, this next half year will be inspected. So I wish you all the best! I am going with you( I am a Chinese girl from New York ).Hope the google translator can really let you understand what I want to say 🤠
Congratulations Jean and Nick!!! Sharing in your joy with you and praying for a smooth pregnancy. Enjoy the journey!! 🙂
yaassss!! congrats!! so happy for the both of you!
The biggest congratulations to you both! I’ve never commented before, but I just had to this time! So happy for you both. Wish you a healthy, happy pregnancy!
Congratulations Jean! Been following your blog for a few years now and have never commented but I literally couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw your post. I’m so happy for you and Nick! Your strength, determination and relentless positivity is an inspiration!
Congratulations! Sending you love & positivity 💗
oh, I might have suggested Bar Method before i knew you were preggers but my experience was it didn’t help me. The issue with pregnancy is that your stomach is trying to expand and BM is trying to tighten your tummy. I felt a weird snap and stopped, then has trouble getting a refund for a pack of classes there. I think for me during pregnancy (only once), I would let me tummy expand and not try to counter than. I’m also petite so you need as much room in there as possible because our torsos are shorter and most newborns still come out 6-8 lb regardless of mom’s size. Mine was 6#14 and I’m a size 0/00/25. So rest up, eat well, take your vitamins, and take a nap when you need to. Line up those maternity sponsors!
YAY Congratulations!!! So very excited for you and thank you for opening up and sharing your personal journey. I know how emotional and difficult it is as we also struggled in getting pregnant. We seeked help and now have healthy twin boys! I wish you all the best!!
Ps. I loved seraphine maternity clothes
I REALLY APRECIATE YOU DECIDED TOBSHARE YOUR STORY. I WISH YOU ENDLESS HAPYNESS. YOU HAVE PROVED TO BE SO STRONG AND INSPIREING-
Congratulations Jean! I have been praying for you since you wrote about IVF, and I am looking forward to seeing you style maternity outfits! I have followed your blog for over a year, reading old posts and using your advice to update my work wardrobe (recently entered the workforce out of college). I am happy to say that I am now known as being very well put together! I am not married yet, but I do want to be a mother too, and I didn’t like many of the maternity outfits I saw growing up, so I was really hoping you would enter motherhood and “show the way” style-wise, since you have helped me learn how to put together outfits for work, casual, vacation, workout, wedding, etc. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and cannot wait to see you embark on the next chapter of your life in style!
~An IT Auditor
Congratulations! I have been following your posts for a few years and this is my 1st time writing to you.
Also went through IVF to get pregnant and my I’m also into my 9 wks!
Looking forward to see more post on maternity & baby stuff !
Congratulations!!! Very happy for you guys. I feel like I know you and traveled this journey with you. Thanks for sharing this part of your life with us. 🙂
I’m so so happy for you!! Congrats!!
I’ve been waiting for this good news as someone who is starting the process of IVF now (in boston also!). May I ask how many IVF cycles it took for it to work?
Congratulations!! May God continue to bless you and your family!
CONGRATS! As someone who can relate to the frustrations of wanting a child so badly and not knowing why it isn’t happening, I am so happy to see the positive outcome of your story. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of the inspiration!
Sooooo happy for you Jean & Nick. May God bless you with the most beautiful & healthy pregnancy and baby.
Soooooo happy for you Jean and Nick! May you have the most beautiful pregnancy and baby. Prayers and wishes.
I have been following your blog for the last 6 or 7 years and have never posted anything. This post brought me to tears. I am so happy for the both of you! I can’t wait to see what cute maternity clothes you find or how you will refashion existing flowy garments to suit a growing tummy.
Ahh jean and Nick, god bless you bith. I am so incredibily happy to hear this in fact pray everytime i visit the blog to see this news. God bless you bith and litteke one about to come.😊
I am legit so freaking happy to hear this. I have been checking each week to hear this. I am sending you a heartfelt congratulations to you both. I wish you a healthy and happy pregnancy!
OMG!!! Congratulations!!! * hug hug hug hug hug *
I’m so happy for you! Welcome to this sometimes-really-slow-but-sometimes-too-fast journey of raising a kid!
Dear Jean,
Congratulations! As a reader for the past 2 years, I am so happy you have found every success in life. You truly look the happiest, most radiant, and satisfied I have ever seen you in photos.
Congratulations Jean! So happy for you! Enjoy every moment of your pregnancy.
That’s so wonderful!! Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I wish more people would.
I have been a lurking reader for a couple of years now, and enjoy seeing your classic style, trips to my favorite city (Paris), and more. I am so thrilled for you guys, and pray that all goes smoothly from here on out. Congratulations and blessings!
Yes!!!! Congratulations <3
Congratulations!
Congratulations! So happy for you and your husband!
Congratulations!!!!!! I am sooo happy for you!
I am so happy for both of you! I found your blog by accident and have been reading on and off for a year now. I can’t help but smile when I read this. I am much older than you (40s!) and the big sister in me just can’t help but rally for both of you and your little bean! So excited to read more about your journey.
I would like to congratulate you and your husband. I had IVF procedure around the same time you did last year.My rock was my husband through this process. Reading your story gave me encouragement and also reminded me, we are not alone in this journey. Now that is over and we are blessed with miracles,I realize how much stronger this experience have made us. You were in my prayers and also every other couple that is going through this difficult journey. Reading more successful endings reminds me that God is good and is watching over us. Best wishes for feeling well and getting a lot of rest. The best is yet to come.
I am usually a lurker, but I just have to say my congratulations to you, Jean and Nick! You both seem like really good people and I’m sure you’ll be wonderful parents! The world needs more of you. 🙂 Have a healthy and happy pregnancy!
Amazing news! Best wishes – and Gap Maternity was a fav of mine for stylish maternity wear!
Yes!!!
This is such fantastic news Jean, congratulations to you both!! I have been checking in waiting to see if you would announce happy news soon and today I can’t tell you the smile this post put on my face! I have been following you for years and have always admired both your style and your openness and for you to share such a personal and tough journey is just awe-inspiring. Wishing you the very best for your pregnancy – and of course I can’t wait to see some amazing outfits in the coming months!!
Congratulations! Looking forward to posts about maternity outfits
Congrats to and your little family! You deserve every moment of this happiness and joy!!
XOXO
Charlie
Livinglifepetite.com
So Happy for you! Congratulations!
Yay congratulations! Can’t wait to see some pregnancy outfits 🙂
I felt my eyes well up when I saw your announcement on Instagram. I’m SO happy for you two! Thank you for sharing your story and journey with us. Sending you a big hug and lots of love from San Francisco. xoxo
Congratulations Jean and Nick!!! Your post brought tears of joy to my eyes. Sending lots of love, prayers, strength and good wishes your way for the 3 of you!