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Confessing my tiny delusion

11 replies

badtester · 03/03/2026 22:42

I’m not pregnant. I had a round of IVF last month which failed. I had a full period straight after and I’m now awaiting my second one, while getting the wheels in motion for the next round.

No rational part of me believes I’m pregnant - I’m drinking wine, lifting heavy things, and paying money towards my appointments for the next round, none of which I’d be doing if I actually thought I could be pregnant.

But there’s still a bit of my brain which is imagining the different timeline of which there’s only a minuscule chance - it’s not happening, but maybe in some alternate universe it could be.

You see I stopped testing on day 10 after transfer, rather than the clinics preferred day 12. I was bleeding heavily and getting negative tests and I couldn’t face it any more. In a different universe, this baby is the one that implanted late and only showed up on tests after day 11.

After 18 days into that new cycle I the started spotting old brown blood. It’s just the hormones messing me up as they do after every failed cycle and now by day 23 it’s turning red - early but not inconceivably so. But in another universe it’s early pregnancy spotting that apparently happens to lots of people.

And just a couple of times this week I’ve had twinges inside me, a little like when I have triggered ovulation and then feel some activity in the ovary area. It’s just because I’m warming up for another period but in a different universe, maybe it’s those stretches and twinges of early pregnancy.

So like I say I don’t believe it. I’d have tested by now if I had any hope! But for some reason my brain is still just enjoying this different story. Completely tragic, yes - but maybe just a sign I really want that baby.

Thanks for letting me confess that here!

OP posts:
Moen · 03/03/2026 22:44

I really hope you get your baby soon OP x

badtester · 03/03/2026 22:46

Moen · 03/03/2026 22:44

I really hope you get your baby soon OP x

Thank you, that’s kind! x

OP posts:
Upthenorth · 03/03/2026 22:46

Sending love and strength OP.

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Wolfiefan · 03/03/2026 22:47

That’s not tragic at all. Just a kind of coping mechanism. TTC really messed with my rational brain in so many ways. Be gentle with yourself. And good luck in future.

SeaToSki · 03/03/2026 22:50

Sending you a big hug. Sounds like you are caring for yourself in the way that you need right now, and it doesn't matter if that is different from how anyone else cares for themselves.

CheeseyOnionPie · 03/03/2026 22:58

Aw bless you OP, I hope you get your wish very soon, nothing more wonderful than someone getting their heart’s desire xxx

Liminal1975 · 04/03/2026 01:28
Flowers
GoldilocksIsALittleSod · 04/03/2026 06:22

I haven't been through fertility struggles but when I was younger I used to imagine all different kinds of scenarios. Anything that made life more bearable at the time.
I think, as long as you are fully aware your imaginary situation is not real it's fine, just your brain's way of coping.

WarmHare · 04/03/2026 07:42

I allow myself some little delusions every so often, not fertility related, but I’ll be preparing dinner and in my head I’m making dinner in “our house in France” not West Yorkshire, I’ll imagine it the whole time I’m cooking - totally harmless joy

MintyFresh23 · 04/03/2026 07:44

I hope you it works out for you soon x

EvangelineTheNightStar · 04/03/2026 07:47

You are absolutely entitled to your thoughts op, hope you get your positive soon

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