• The Book

    The Book

    TTC Book cover Trying to Conceive by Fiona McPhillips, featuring a foreword by Dr John Waterstone and published by Liberties Press, is available countrywide now. It is an easy-to-read guide for all those trying to conceive, providing both medical information and a personal perspective on the entire range of fertility issues. It is also available from Liberties Press and Amazon.

  • The Author

    The Author

    photo of Fiona Fiona McPhillips is a freelance journalist and academic researcher. Having given birth to her son in 2003, she then faced three rounds of Clomid, three IUIs, two IVFs and suffered six miscarriages before giving birth to her daughter last year. She is currently expecting another baby.

    fiona at makingbabies dot ie

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    • « Que sera, sera
    Still here! »

    Two is a magic number

    We had a bit of excitement yesterday, my due date.  My acupuncturist reckoned I would have a baby by the end of the night so when I started having pains around 8pm, we got very excited and emotional.  I was also scared – not of labour and birth, that was actually the exciting part.  I thought about it and realised I was scared of never being pregnant again.  Of having to watch everyone else go through pregnancy as many times as they wished.  But most of all, of never getting to experience this amazing feeling ever again.

    I have talked myself round to how great it will be to have two children.  It’s not what we planned but it is more than we ever imagined just a year ago.  Two means we can give each one more attention, more financial support, we can give each other more time and devotion and our careers will take less of a hit.  It also means that I will never again have to put my family through infertility.

    I don’t want to spend the first few years of my baby’s life fighting another losing battle.  I’m not sure I even want to sideline her to pregnancy.  And yet, the decision never to try again is so immense, I can’t contemplate it.  I don’t even know what it’s like to have a menstrual cycle that doesn’t dictate day-to-day life.  But it may well be out of our hands, we will just have to wait and see.

    Many rivers to cross first.

    This entry was posted on Saturday, May 31st, 2008 at 4:00 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

    16 Responses to “Two is a magic number”

    1. Xbox4NappyRash Says:
      May 31st, 2008 at 4:59 pm

      So much there I can’t even comprehend, I never really even thought of the impact TTC would have on the little brothers & sisters.

      Now when I look at the impact it has on just the two of us, I feel silly(best word I can think of) for allowing it to take over so much, put other children into the mix, and I have no way to get my mind around it.

      Immense decisions indeed.

      As always, the best of luck in the coming hours/days.

    2. Treelo Says:
      June 1st, 2008 at 6:39 am

      As always, you write so beautifully about something so painful. The decision to never try again might be to big at the moment, but maybe in the weeks/ months/ years to come it will feel like the right choice rather than something forced upon you? I’ve ordered your book (no signed copies left!), can’t wait to have a read of it. Wishing you ALL the very best for the next few exciting days.

    3. claire Says:
      June 2nd, 2008 at 9:21 am

      yet again you leave me speechless. Thinking of you loads

    4. Fiona Says:
      June 2nd, 2008 at 9:34 am

      Thanks so much everyone.

      Treelo – long time, no see. How have you been keeping? Can’t believe they’ve sold all the signed copies, didn’t think many people would be interested!

    5. deno Says:
      June 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm

      Fiona, best of luck. Thanks for all your knowledge and support.

    6. Lorna Says:
      June 2nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm

      Best of luck with the birth.

    7. deno Says:
      June 3rd, 2008 at 7:01 pm

      Okay Baby “A”, get a move on! I’m getting tired of checking in. Are ye hangin’ in there Fiona?

    8. My Reality Says:
      June 4th, 2008 at 12:04 am

      Can’t wait for the news of her arrival!!

    9. Fiona Says:
      June 4th, 2008 at 8:40 am

      Sorry, still here!!! Cervix is 2-3cm open and I have had a bit of a show but no pains at all yet.

    10. Treelo Says:
      June 4th, 2008 at 10:09 am

      Woo-hoo, come on baby A!! Hope the show means things will start to happen soon. Got the book in the post this morning, can’t wait to get stuck into it. Sorry I haven’t been around in a while, just busy. Can’t wait for your big announcement, it’s been a long time coming. Best of luck to you all!!

    11. deno Says:
      June 4th, 2008 at 11:55 am

      I bet You go within the next 24 if you have had a show, let’s get ready to rumble!!!

    12. Amber Says:
      June 4th, 2008 at 2:47 pm

      Oh Fee how exciting, hope it all goes fantastically for you and the little bean.

      Hope big brother is all ready for the new arrival.

      Can’t wait to see the news, reckon you are nearly there.

    13. Jane Says:
      June 4th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

      Best of luck Fee Bee, I will be thinking of you!

    14. red mum Says:
      June 4th, 2008 at 11:01 pm

      Best of luck Fiona. Wishing you every happiness and an easy birth :) Can’t wait to see photos if you’re sharing!

    15. anon Says:
      June 5th, 2008 at 11:02 am

      Thinking of you and looking forward to great news…best of luck fiona and family!

    16. Betting systems Says:
      July 9th, 2008 at 4:19 pm

      Nice blog,i will come back here everyday, greetings

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