When people talk about the "two-week wait," they don’t realise that with IVF it’s not really two weeks. For us, it was 10 excruciating days. Ten days where every minute felt like an hour, and every hour felt like a day. Our IVF clinic instructed us to take a pregnancy test on day 10 after the embryo transfer, then again on day 13 to confirm the result. We kept the exact date of the test to ourselves, not because we wanted to keep people in the dark, but because we needed time to process whatever news we were about to receive - whether it was the joy we had longed for or the heartbreak we had come to dread. IVF robs you of many things, and one of them is the privacy and surprise that typically accompanies pregnancy. Everything is so clinical, so structured, that even the most intimate moments are scheduled.

The Longest Ten Days

Those 10 days were some of the longest of my life. I was still physically recovering from the egg collection, with my stomach tender and my energy depleted. I tried to pass the time by doing puzzles, watching TV, and resting at home, but the waiting was agonising. We went to a family gathering at my parents’ house, which was a nice distraction, but I found that I could only manage to be up and active for a few hours before I needed to lie down and rest. My body was exhausted and my mind was racing.

People often ask if you feel any symptoms during the wait, but with all the medication in my system, it was impossible to tell what was a genuine sign and what was just a side effect. For example, my breasts had been sore and swollen since before the embryo transfer, likely due to the hormones I’d been on. A week after the transfer, they became even more tender, but was that a pregnancy symptom or just more of the same? Symptom spotting became a frustrating game of "what ifs" that only added to the stress.

The only thing that truly felt different was the overwhelming tiredness that hit me around day 7. I’d been tired throughout the whole IVF process, but this was different - deeper, heavier. I mentioned it to Dan, wondering aloud if it might mean something, but I tried not to get my hopes up.

Test Day

The night before test day, we barely slept. We tossed and turned, hearts pounding with anticipation and fear. The thought of what that little stick might reveal was terrifying. We knew that whatever the result, it would change everything for us. The weight of that knowledge was almost unbearable.

By 5am, we couldn’t stand the waiting any longer. We had agreed on a plan: I would take the test, then come back to bed to snuggle for five minutes before looking at the result together. Over the years, I’d grown used to staring at pregnancy tests, willing a second line to appear that never did. I wasn’t prepared for what happened next. As soon as I took the test, two dark lines appeared almost instantly. I was in complete shock. I had expected to wait, to have those agonising five minutes of wondering, but there it was - clear as day, positive.

I ran back into the bedroom, my hands empty and my heart racing. Dan looked at me, confused and worried, but I couldn’t find the words to speak. Instead, I just collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. When I managed to show him the test, I completely broke down, clinging to Dan as the reality of what we were seeing began to sink in. It was a moment of pure, raw emotion - tears of joy, relief, disbelief, and years of pent-up longing all spilling out at once. I’ve never cried like that before. It was a release of everything I had been holding onto for so long.

Processing the Miracle

For hours afterward, I walked around in a daze, barely able to comprehend what had just happened. After so many years of negative tests, seeing those two lines felt like a miracle. I kept looking at the test, half-expecting it to change or disappear, but it stayed, solid and undeniable. We had waited so long for this moment, and now that it was here, it felt surreal.

One of the hardest things about IVF is how it takes away the element of surprise. Most people get to share their pregnancy news when they’re ready, but with IVF, so many people know about your journey that it’s hard to keep anything private. We decided to create a little surprise of our own by visiting our parents in person to share the news.

Sharing the News

We went to my parents’ house first. They had no idea we were coming, let alone what we were about to tell them. My mum was in the middle of one of my pre-recorded yoga classes, and my dad was busy on his computer. When we broke the news, they were completely taken by surprise. We hugged tight, and we all stood there, overwhelmed with emotion. It was a moment of pure joy, the kind you dream about when you start this journey.

After that, I had a therapy session and an acupuncture appointment, both of which had been scheduled in advance. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. My therapist and acupuncturist have been with me through so much of this journey, and sharing the news with them felt like an important step in processing what was happening. They were some of the first people to know, and their support meant the world to me.

Next, we went to Dan’s parents’ house. His dad was on the treadmill, finishing a workout, completely oblivious to the news we were about to drop. When we told them, their reactions were just as priceless - shock, tears, and so much happiness. Over the next few days, we shared the news with our siblings and close friends, video calling them so we could see their faces when we told them. It was a beautiful way to share this long-awaited joy with the people we love the most.

Reflecting on Our Journey

Looking back, I’m so grateful we chose to share our journey with those closest to us. Their love and support have carried us through the hardest days, making this path a little less lonely. I know how incredibly fortunate we are to have received a positive result. My heart goes out to those who are still waiting, hoping, and enduring the pain of this process.

IVF is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, both physically and emotionally. It’s a journey that leaves you forever changed. It tests your strength, your patience, and your hope. My heart truly goes out to everyone on this path.

Justine x