Breadcrumbs ![3 Women Open Up About Their IVF Journeys](https://media.sheerluxe.com/oE8GoanOaVwRFJCSu4R9ti2rGmU=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F10%2Fsl-site-assets-151026-thumb-hero-ivf.jpg) ![3 Women Open Up About Their IVF Journeys](https://media.sheerluxe.com/RPtoJKauW50LP8Q3cD4Tko9WeOw=/400x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F10%2Fsl-site-assets-151026-thumb-hero-ivf.jpg) Image: Victor Torres/Stocksy United / 15 October 2026 # 3 Women Open Up About Their IVF Journeys IVF is rarely a straightforward journey. For some, it brings heartbreak and uncertainty; for others, moments of hope and, eventually, success. Here, three women tell us more about their experiences – from navigating miscarriage and the emotional toll of treatment to finding support and holding on to hope along the way. ByRebecca Hull / [ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/54506) Image: Victor Torres/Stocksy United [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/GomzYd5B5Q6NFV0pGjm7NodCOl0=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F10%2Fsl-editorial-151026-ivf-jaimee-2.jpg) ](https://www.instagram.com/jaimee) @Jaimee; The Vault Stock; Victor Torres/Stocksy United ## Jaimee Lupton ### Founder of MONDAY Haircare, DAISE, Being & Gingernut’s Angels **I’ve had ten rounds of IVF, six miscarriages and transfers that haven’t worked.** The process has been gruelling but I’ve kept going and am happy to say it has ended positively. There are so many people in this club nobody wants to belong to, who can actually support each other. **My partner Nick and I have travelled a very rocky road.** When I first became pregnant through IVF, I experienced hyperemesis gravidarum, which is severe sickness, and could only stomach ginger biscuits, so ‘Gingernut’ became our baby’s nickname. We sadly lost her at 24 weeks. I had placenta previa and haemorrhaged several times, which meant the placenta couldn’t support the pregnancy. It was the toughest thing we’ve ever experienced. **It then took another two years to become pregnant with my daughter, Noah.** She’s now two and I am also glad to say my second baby via IVF is due this month. I’m sharing this news because I want other people to have hope. There is so much heaviness around IVF but there can also be light. [**Gingernut’s Angels**](https://gingernutsangels.com/) **became the sun shining out of a very dark cloud.** Nick and I set up the foundation after losing Gingernut, creating grants for people who can’t afford IVF. The cost of treatment can be devastating, particularly when there are no guarantees. The foundation has now helped nearly 500 people over three years, and it has also created a community where people can talk openly about doctors, treatment and alternative options. We helped Louise who lost her daughter Ruby two years before we lost Gingernut. We became fast friends via social media. She just had her baby Sienna who, when she was playing with Noah recently, made me realise this is what I am meant to be doing. **Knowledge is power when it comes to fertility.** There are blood tests available to check your egg and hormone reserves, and it’s something I’ve now offered to all my team members. A few have discovered they have a low egg count or other issues, but knowledge is power and they now have choices to dig deeper. **IVF can feel like a relentless hamster wheel.** You keep going despite sitting in limbo and it’s mentally and physically exhausting. I was willing to keep trying because I had so much hope and resilience, but the emotional toll is enormous. **Fertility treatment is like having a part-time job.** The injections, medication and scans are never-ending, and appointments aren’t always flexible. Everything depends on your individual cycle and specific timings, so it can take over your life. When someone on my team is going through IVF, I try to be as supportive as possible. Kindness makes a huge difference. **It’s also important to find time for yourself.** During each round, I made sure I did something that helped me switch off, otherwise everything became about having a baby. It’s easy to stop making plans because you think you’ll be pregnant soon but that doesn’t always happen. So my advice is to keep doing the things that make you feel like yourself. **Nick and I grieved differently after losing Gingernut.** He wanted to travel and be distracted, while I needed to sit with the grief. I’ve realised that everyone processes loss in their own way. None of it is personal and you have to give each other space in order for things to remain healthy. **People who have been through IVF will always understand a little more.** Friends and family have been wonderful but there’s an instinctive understanding between those who have experienced treatment themselves. Being open has helped me and I hope it makes others feel able to talk if they want to. For those who understandably don’t want to, I hope they can still benefit from others sharing their stories. **Don’t tell someone going through IVF to relax.** I’ve heard people say, ‘It will happen, just relax’ but relaxing doesn’t solve a medical situation. I also think we should stop asking people when they’re having children. I once was that person but my experience has really made me rethink those types of questions. You have no idea what someone else might be going through. **It’s easier said than done but don’t lose hope.** I recently listened to a podcast with Sarah Foster who underwent 20 rounds of IVF. Her advice, like mine, was to keep going if you’re mentally and financially able to. It took the emotion out of it for me by remembering that it is a numbers game. Hopefully the more rounds you can do, the higher your chances. Don’t underestimate connecting with people who make you feel supported. You don’t have to carry all of this alone. *Follow* [@JAIMEE](https://www.instagram.com/jaimee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&dlrf=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) ## Amy Reddish ### Co-Founder of Self-Love Club & Content Creator **Two years ago, I experienced two suspected chemical pregnancies.** They couldn’t be confirmed but the symptoms suggested I may have been pregnant briefly. I had never heard of a chemical pregnancy before, so the experience was both upsetting and confusing. After this, I decided to see a gynaecologist and had tests, including an AMH (anti-müllerian hormone) blood test to assess my ovarian reserve. **My AMH result was 0.4, which is considered very low.** I was 37 and already conscious that I might not have unlimited time, so I panicked. I arranged a call with a fertility doctor recommended by a friend but the conversation was very blunt. Egg donation was raised as one of my options, which felt overwhelming and frightening. I hadn’t yet had the chance to properly explore my own health and fertility. The idea of using donor eggs therefore felt like a leap and I wanted to understand my own situation before considering something so drastic. **Fertility research is a minefield. There is so much information and so many different opinions.** I looked into diet, acupuncture, exercise and stress, tracked my ovulation and tried naturally for several months. Nothing worked. I was told I might be eligible for NHS-funded IVF. I explored that route while also speaking to a private clinic. They arranged a HyCoSy test to check whether my fallopian tubes were open and we discovered that one was blocked. This was another shock, as it could reduce my chances of conceiving naturally. Eventually, I decided to proceed with private IVF. **The preparation involved growth hormone injections, medication and several weeks of treatment.** The injections themselves weren’t as bad as I expected but I noticed that my hormones felt completely out of balance. Two days before my eggs were due to be collected, my doctor called to say that I had already ovulated naturally. We had lost the eggs we had spent six weeks trying to grow. I was shocked because I hadn’t realised that was possible. I genuinely believed it was all going to work. You have to approach IVF with positivity and hope, but that can make the disappointment even harder when things don’t go to plan. I also felt angry and that I hadn’t been treated with the care I expected. **Sharing my experience on Instagram helped hugely.** A Greek fertility clinic contacted me afterwards, and Trevor and I booked a ‘trip and treat’ with them. The tests showed I had an infection and inflammation which could have affected the outcome of IVF. I had no obvious symptoms, so this was another surprise. Once treated, we were told IVF was still likely to be the best option for us. **I also tried the NHS route but was told my AMH level made me ineligible for funded treatment.** I had never realised this could be a factor, so it was yet another difficult piece of information to process. I’m now exploring new clinics and preparing to begin another IVF journey. **What disappointed me most was the level of care.** I had chosen a highly ranked clinic and expected the experience to feel personal and supportive, but instead I often felt like one of many. There were also a few mistakes, which has made me much more cautious about choosing my next clinic. **Honesty and openness have helped me maintain my relationships.** I talk to my partner, family and friends about how I’m feeling, which prevents awkwardness or confusion. It’s not for everyone but speaking to your inner circle can make things feel slightly lighter. **Boundaries are important too.** People are usually well-meaning but advice can make you feel judged for not trying every suggestion, as if you don’t want a baby badly enough. Unless someone has asked for advice, I don’t think it’s helpful to keep offering it. **The most useful support has been hearing positive, honest stories from other women.** Those stories have helped me hold on to hope. My motto is: what is meant for you won’t miss you. During the waiting and uncertainty, I’ve tried to trust the timing of the universe. Distraction has helped too, so I make plans and have things to look forward to that aren’t connected to getting pregnant. **IVF is an emotional rollercoaster.** Talk to people going through something similar or follow those who share their fertility journeys honestly. It can make you feel far less alone. Ask as many questions as you need to at your appointments and always advocate for yourself. There is no shame in asking for something to be explained again. **I’ve also set up a WhatsApp support group through my** [**Self Love Club community**](https://www.instagram.com/selfloveclubbyamyandfaye/?hl=en)**.** It’s for anyone on a fertility journey and it’s been lovely to share experiences, advice and encouragement with people who understand what it’s like. *Follow* [@AMYREDDISH](https://www.instagram.com/amyreddish?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&obrf=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/WY2-FKkViW9hcSOiV06TORsP2bg=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F10%2Fsl-editorial-151026-ivf-amy-2.jpg) ](https://www.instagram.com/amyreddish) @AmyReddish; Los Muertos Crew/Pexels; Victor Torres/Stocksy United [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/SZ1AZ_dlhBlAhEca1iJQzjF0KKQ=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F10%2Fsl-editorial-151026-ivf-cher-2.jpg) ](https://www.instagram.com/cherwebbmakeup) @CherWebbMakeUp; The Vault Stock; Tuğba Kobal Yılmaz/Pexels ## Cher Webb ### Pro Make-Up Artist **It’s been ten years since I began IVF and I’m now considering other routes to motherhood.** At the beginning, I was convinced treatment would work. I thought I needed a little help getting pregnant, and those early days felt positive and full of possibility. I never imagined that I would experience multiple clinics, egg retrievals, transfers, two-week waits, operations and endless procedures. I’ve had treatment in the UK and abroad, and I was willing to try anything if it meant increasing our chances. I had hope but sadly no success. After a decade of treatment, I had to draw a line but I know my story doesn’t end here. I have always dreamed of being a mother and I’m not ready to give up yet. **Fertility treatment has so many layers that people don’t see.** It can be mentally and physically draining, and can make you feel as though your life is permanently on pause while everyone else keeps moving. **Spain is very advanced when it comes to donor-egg cycles.** The experience there was different, the costs were lower and being somewhere sunny helped more than I expected. There was something comforting about being in a new environment while having treatment. I went to [INEBIR](https://inebir.com/en/) and saw Dr. Navarro in Seville. I wish I had found that clinic earlier. He is one of the nicest men I’ve ever met. While the experience didn’t work out for me, it’s a clinic I recommend to others frequently. One of my best pieces of advice for those starting IVF is to explore what’s on offer abroad – it’s often more affordable, too. [**The Avenues Clinic**](https://avenues.life/find-a-doctor/daniella-cardenas-armas/) **is also worth having on your list.** I only met them six months ago but they’re doing things very differently thanks to AI. They are getting results in cases similar to mine and seeing positive pregnancies. I went to see Dr. Daniella, who had her own experience with infertility, so she really understands. She gave me a hug before we sat down and her number so I could ask questions when I had them. She is so personable, just like Dr Navarro. They both spoke to me from the heart and didn't see me as a one-size-fits all. That approach is vital during the fertility process. **The hardest part has been feeling powerless.** IVF is something you can invest everything in – emotionally, physically and financially – and still have no control over the outcome. Unexplained infertility is particularly difficult because you don’t have a clear answer. **If I’d known earlier there might never be a definitive explanation, I might have stopped sooner.** I kept going because I was determined. Being in a cycle gave me a sense of positivity because I felt I was doing everything I could. When something didn’t work, it was easier to look towards the next option than sitting with the disappointment. **Aftercare following an unsuccessful cycle needs to be better.** You’re often left to carry on, even though emotionally it can feel overwhelming. Coming off the medication can be difficult and recovery is sometimes overlooked. **You can find yourself grieving a life you thought you would have.** That includes the traditions and special moments you imagined would come with becoming a mother. There is a quiet strength in continuing with everyday life, going to work and seeing friends while struggling privately. **If someone you know is going through IVF, small gestures can mean a lot.** A card, flowers or a message saying, ‘I’m here for you and you don’t need to reply,’ can be incredibly thoughtful. Questions asking for specific updates or whether there is any news can be harder, particularly when you’re still trying to understand the results yourself. Also, try not to tell someone that everything happens for a reason. When something has been incredibly difficult, that phrase can feel more upsetting than comforting. **Find a doctor who genuinely cares.** As I’ve mentioned above, bedside manners are important. You want someone who listens, treats you as an individual and makes you feel comfortable asking questions. Trust your instincts and set boundaries with friends and family who may not understand the highs and lows of IVF. Take your time and do what feels right for you. Most importantly, be kind, patient and gentle with yourself. Your mind and body are going through a lot. *Follow* [@CHERWEBBMAKEUP](https://www.instagram.com/cherwebbmakeup?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&vrfl=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) *DISCLAIMER: Features published by SheerLuxe are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programme.* [ Sign in to comment with your SheerLuxe profile ](/user/login?destination=)Or continue to comment as a Guest below [View the discussion thread.](http://sheerluxe-dev.disqus.com/) Share This Story [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?display=popup&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com&u=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Flife%2Fparenting%2F3-women-open-up-about-their-ivf-journeys&t=3+Women+Open+Up+About+Their+IVF+Journeys) [ Pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Flife%2Fparenting%2F3-women-open-up-about-their-ivf-journeys&description=3+Women+Open+Up+About+Their+IVF+Journeys&media=) [ E-mail ]() DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at . Parenting News from SheerLuxe Subscribe to sheerluxe.com now for free & get all the parenting news sent to your inbox [Enter your email address to subscribe](/signup)