Moving Forward: My Next Steps in IVF

In my last post, I wrote about being close to three months pregnant, and how things unfolded differently than I hoped.

It was an overwhelming time, and I just wanted to make it through each day. I didn’t want to talk about it — I just needed time to process things quietly, in my own way. If there had been a fast-forward button for life, I would’ve pressed it without hesitation.

Going back to work wasn’t easy. I’d already told my team I was pregnant, which I was kicking myself about. Also, to add another layer, I was in an environment where baby news was naturally part of conversation. Two colleagues had recently given birth, photos were being passed around, and the excitement of new arrivals floated through the room. I was happy for them, genuinely. But I was also hearing about something I wanted, but no longer had.

I smiled when I needed to, asked the right questions, laughed in the right places — but underneath it all, I was just trying to hold myself together.

A couple of months later, I felt like I was standing at a crossroads on my IVF path. Part of me wanted to try again right away, and another part wondered if I needed more time to breathe. I did end up deciding to move ahead with another cycle, but my hormone levels weren’t where they needed to be, so I couldn’t proceed with a transfer. It was another setback — one that left me feeling flat and exhausted.

Around the same time, work was becoming more challenging. Each day seemed to ask a little more of me than I had to give. The long commute wasn’t helping — hours in traffic left me drained before the day had even started. I was exhausted, worn down, and everything felt heavier than it should have.

Over time, it became clear that something needed to change. I was running on fumes, with very little left for myself. One day, it just clicked — I couldn’t keep going the way I was. So I emailed my manager, asked for a meeting, and resigned.

It wasn’t planned or perfectly timed, and it definitely wasn’t the “practical” choice. I didn’t have another job to step into. But I knew that if I wanted to continue with IVF and attempt another embryo transfer, some changes had to be made. I needed space — emotionally, physically, and mentally.

For the next two months, I searched for something that felt like a better fit. I applied for roles that offered more balance — flexible work, less pressure, something that didn’t leave me running on empty. Eventually, a contract role came up that felt right. Remote work, no long commute, and no need for corporate attire — trackpants absolutely acceptable. I could work from home, exercise in the morning, and build my week around what worked for me, instead of the other way around.

Now that work felt a little more balanced, I started thinking about IVF again. I considered waiting until the next year, giving myself time to settle and breathe, but after a couple of months I realised I didn’t want to keep putting it off. I wanted to keep moving forward.

So that was my decision — the year was coming to an end, and I wanted to try one more IVF cycle before the year was out. This time, however, I wanted to take fewer chances in regard to relying on my hormone levels. The last cycle, which ended because those levels weren’t where they needed to be, was really disappointing. This IVF cycle was going to be a medicated cycle.

For those who aren’t familiar with a medicated cycle, here’s what the treatment plan looks like for me.

Firstly, I’ll be taking a medication called Progynova. Its role is to help increase the thickness of the endometrial lining (the layer of tissue that lines the uterus). Progynova mimics the body’s natural estrogen. It essentially signals the uterus to grow a soft, thick layer that can support an embryo and a potential pregnancy. Without the proper lining, implantation may not be successful. Progynova helps to create a healthy environment for the embryo.

Secondly, I’ll be using progesterone pessaries. Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries during the second half of the menstrual cycle. It’s essential for preparing the uterus for pregnancy and providing ongoing support. In this cycle, progesterone will be used to supplement or replace my natural progesterone levels.

Where this cycle leads, I don’t know yet — but I’m giving it everything I can.
There’s hope here again, and that feels like enough to begin.

📖 If you missed it, you can read my previous post about Healing After Loss: Finding Strength in a Harder Chapter.
💕 Thank you for reading — and for being part of this space where IVF stories are shared honestly.