“I am 45 years old and pregnant.”
Listen below to Sandra's podcast about her IVF journey so far.
This was Sandra’s first statement when we met: “I am 45 years old and pregnant.”
She smiles and laughs all the way through our little interview. She has long brown hair and the excitement of being a mother-to-be emanates from every inch of her beautiful face. At the time of her interview, Sandra was 12 weeks pregnant.
“I’ve been trying since I was 40. I used to live in Israel but now I live here with my parents, for support.” She smiles again and says: “I am 45 years old and I am very happy. I am pregnant and on the first try - IVF with donor eggs - it all went well first time”.
When asked what she would like to have, Sandra says that she was hoping for a boy. It’s a girl but she doesn’t mind because she wants this baby, boy or girl!
Sandra’s pregnancy journey
When she starts talking about her previous experience, Sandra stops smiling for a while. “I was pregnant twice before, with another clinic. Unfortunately, I lost a child mid pregnancy.” She continues: “It was a horrible journey before. When I got here, the treatment was totally different. It was specifically designed, especially for me. I discovered that I had problems with my immune system.” Sandra also had blood clotting problems, which were all addressed and led to her pregnancy. “I was treated as a specific patient, and not as just as another one.”
She came to the clinic for about a year before deciding to go ahead with the treatment. “I’ve come here for a year, until I found the perfect donor. And I was very happy, because the IVF worked the first time.”
When asked if she considers herself part of the family, she laughs. “I’ve come here for so long that everyone knows me, and yes, I feel like being part of the family”.
She speaks highly of our nurses, and she mentions Rachel, Bernie and Adrian, who are all “amazing, and of course, Dr Venkat - the amazing Dr Venkat!”
IVF advice Sandra would share with others
When asked to give advice to other women, Sandra says that she’s been through a lot, but she took time out. She travelled to India, which, she adds “cleared my head a lot. I looked at everything in perspective and I realised there is a solution.” Sandra’s piece of advice would be that “when you are in it, and when your head is clouded by hormones, take a deep breath and ask someone you love and trust to advise you. Get out. It can be really, really hectic and bad.”
What about special support?
Sandra says that she didn’t need any additional support here, and she feels everything was just great. “My immediate family lives here, which makes it easier, both financially and emotionally. The ‘support system’ at home is great - less stuff to worry about.”
Sandra admits that living with her parents is a big help, although “when I was much younger, when I was 18, I didn’t think I could live with my parents later in life. I didn’t think I could do it, but everything worked out perfectly.”
This is one of many wonderful Patient Stories: Sandra and her little lady “in waiting”.
Wishing our Sandra, a happy and healthy pregnancy, and looking forward to catching up with her in a few months. If you would like to speak to a member of our friendly team about the services & treatments we provide, please get in touch via email at info@hsfc.org.uk or give us a call on 020 7436 6838.
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Update: Sandra gave birth in August 2020 to a healthy baby girl. Mother and baby are doing well - a beautiful family!
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To protect the Patient’s Confidentiality, the name of the patient was changed. Stock picture.
