Beyond the First Steps: The Journey to Parenthood
Our story of IVF was never about miracles—it was about science, perseverance, and sheer determination. When we embarked on our journey to parenthood, it wasn’t luck that brought us here; it was years of research, tough decisions, and a willingness to fight for the family we longed for. And at the heart of it all is our son, Forrest—the result of a journey that was anything but easy.
A Dream Worth Fighting For
After my diagnosis of hydrosalpinx and the subsequent battle to undergo surgery, the next step was IVF. Some people believe IVF is a shortcut to conception, but for those of us who have walked this path, we know it’s anything but simple. The injections, the endless blood tests, the waiting—every stage is a test of patience and resilience.
For us, the journey took us to Istanbul, Turkey, where we found the right medical care, expertise, and affordability to make our dream possible. It wasn’t just about choosing a clinic; it was about stepping into the unknown, taking control, and refusing to let obstacles dictate our future.
The Origins of IVF and the Challenges Faced
IVF, or in vitro fertilisation, was first successfully carried out in 1978, with the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first “test-tube baby.” What was once seen as a revolutionary scientific breakthrough quickly became a subject of controversy. In the early years, critics—including religious groups and sceptics—challenged the ethics of the procedure, labelling it as unnatural and playing with the fundamentals of life. Some feared it would open the door to genetic manipulation, while others argued it defied nature's course.
Despite these objections, IVF continued to evolve, offering hope to countless individuals and couples struggling with infertility. However, even today, there are still those who look down on assisted reproduction, believing that only natural conception is valid. I’ve encountered people who have made dismissive comments, suggesting that IVF is ‘cheating’ or that if it wasn’t meant to be, we shouldn’t force it. These opinions, though outdated and misinformed, serve as a reminder of the misconceptions surrounding infertility and the stigma that still exists.
For those of us who have endured the heartbreak of infertility, IVF is not an easy way out—it is often the only way. It requires courage, resilience, and an emotional strength that many will never fully understand. Every injection, every scan, and every moment of uncertainty is a testament to how much we are willing to endure to bring life into this world.
Interestingly, there’s a fascinating film on Netflix starring Bill Nighy that explores the history of IVF. It was an emotional watch, but it provided deep insight into the early struggles faced by those pioneering this medical breakthrough. Seeing the obstacles, debates, and triumphs of the early IVF movement was both inspiring and a reminder of how far we’ve come.
The Science Behind Parenthood
There is nothing miraculous about IVF—this was a process that required precision, expert medical intervention, and a deep understanding of how to optimise every opportunity for success. My body was carefully prepared with medications, hormone treatments, and scans to ensure everything was in place. When the time came for the egg retrieval and fertilisation, every small decision mattered. Every number, every measurement, every tiny detail played a role in determining our chances.
And yet, even with all the preparation, nothing was guaranteed. The emotional toll of waiting for results is something no one can truly prepare you for. The two-week wait after embryo transfer was excruciating, filled with hope and anxiety in equal measure.
The doctor advised us not to test until we returned to the UK, but like any IVF patient, waiting was impossible. As soon as we could, we headed straight to the eczane (Turkish for pharmacy), filling up my bag with pregnancy tests. I didn’t care what they thought of us—I just needed to know. I vividly recall being at Luna Park in Tuzla, about to head to Big Chef on the beach, when I kept urging David to go on the rollercoaster. He refused, just in case we were pregnant. I couldn’t wait any longer. I went to the toilet, took a test—and it was positive. But the frustration of IVF is that medication can give false positives, so I had to test every single day to be sure. I still have those labelled tests from each day of waiting. Gross, I know, but I couldn’t let them go. I knew I’d never get to feel that moment of seeing a positive test again, so I kept them.
Bringing Forrest Into the World
From the moment we saw those two lines, our world changed forever. Pregnancy after IVF comes with its own anxieties, but every scan, every milestone, was a reminder of how far we had come.
Forrest’s arrival was not the end of our journey but the beginning of a whole new adventure—parenthood. And as we navigate the ups and downs of raising a little boy who is full of wonder, curiosity, and endless energy, we never forget what it took to bring him into our lives.
Redefining the Narrative
I struggle with the word ‘miracle’ because Forrest’s existence isn’t due to some unexplained stroke of luck—it’s the result of hard work, science, and the unwavering belief that we could do this. And we did.
For anyone out there facing their own fertility journey, know this: You are not powerless. You are not waiting for fate to decide for you. You have options, choices, and the strength to take control of your story.
Forrest is proof that when science and determination come together, the impossible becomes possible. And that’s a journey worth sharing.
Pharmacy & Medical Terms
Pharmacy – Eczane (edge-zah-neh)
Medicine – İlaç (ee-lach)
Prescription – Reçete (reh-cheh-teh)
Over-the-counter medicine – Reçetesiz ilaç (reh-cheh-teh-seez ee-lach)
Doctor – Doktor (dock-tor)
Nurse – Hemşire (hem-shee-reh)
Hospital – Hastane (has-tah-neh)
Clinic – Klinik (kluh-neek)
Appointment – Randevu (ran-deh-voo)
Emergency – Acil durum (ah-jeel doo-room)
Ambulance – Ambulans (am-boo-lahns)
IVF & Pregnancy Terms
Pregnancy test – Gebelik testi (geh-beh-leek tes-tee)
Ovulation test – Ovulasyon testi (oh-voo-lah-syon tes-tee)
Fertility treatment – Kısırlık tedavisi (kuh-suh-rluhk teh-dah-vee-see)
IVF (In vitro fertilization) – Tüp bebek tedavisi (toop beh-behk teh-dah-vee-see)
Egg retrieval – Yumurta toplama (yoo-moor-tah top-lah-mah)
Embryo transfer – Embriyo transferi (em-bree-yoh tran-seh-feh-ree)
Hormone injection – Hormon iğnesi (hor-mon ee-neh-see)
Sperm donation – Sperm bağışı (spehrm bah-uh-shuh)
Egg freezing – Yumurta dondurma (yoo-moor-tah don-door-mah)
Folic acid – Folik asit (foh-leek ah-seet)
Prenatal vitamins – Gebelik vitamini (geh-beh-leek vee-tah-mee-nee)
Ultrasound scan – Ultrason taraması (ool-trah-son tah-rah-mah-suh)
Miscarriage – Düşük (doo-shook)
Menstrual cycle – Adet döngüsü (ah-det doon-goo-soo)
Period – Adet (ah-det)
Common Pharmacy Requests for Tourists
Do you have painkillers? – Ağrı kesici var mı? (ah-ruh keh-see-jee var muh?)
I need antibiotics. – Antibiyotik lazım. (an-tee-bee-yo-teek lah-zuhm)
Do you have something for nausea? – Mide bulantısı için bir şey var mı? (mee-deh boo-lan-tuh-suh ee-cheen beer shey var muh?)
I have a headache. – Başım ağrıyor. (bah-shum ah-ruh-yor)
Do you sell pregnancy tests? – Gebelik testi satıyor musunuz? (geh-beh-leek tes-tee sah-tuh-yor moo-soo-nooz?)
Can I get an ovulation test? – Ovulasyon testi alabilir miyim? (oh-voo-lah-syon tes-tee ah-lah-bee-leer mee-yeem?)
I need a doctor. – Bir doktora ihtiyacım var. (beer dock-tor-ah ee-tee-yah-juhm var)
Where is the nearest hospital? – En yakın hastane nerede? (en yah-kun has-tah-neh neh-reh-deh?)
Can I get this medicine without a prescription? – Bu ilacı reçetesiz alabilir miyim? (boo ee-lah-juh reh-cheh-teh-seez ah-lah-bee-leer mee-yeem?)
