IVF: “We’ve had to cancel your appointment because…”

It’s been a tough week. Thursday saw our IVF consultancy in Oxford cancelled less than a week before it was supposed to happen. We’ve not exactly been looking forwards to it, per se –  going to hospital to find out...

“…But we’ve only just got here!” – On socially anxious spouses

This Saturday, we went to visit an old Air Force buddy of mine, Squadron Leader Muddles, who is deploying shortly for an overseas tour. It was the last chance to catch up for a few drinks before he disappeared to...

Charting my wife’s emotions (for science)

Mrs Astronomer has quit her job. I was expecting it for some time, as she's just been getting more and more wound up about it. She's fed up of librarianship, and the stress has been really getting to her. It's...

Uncertainty

Everything is uncertain. The people we’re buying our new house from are in the process of having a baby. This complicates matters, to say the least; they’ve got a caesarean scheduled for the end of June, and they’re unwilling to...

IVF: Day 35 – What do you mean, “Not even close yet?”

It's been a busy few weeks. I didn't realise how long it would take to get Mrs Astronomer's hormones in check; she's on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster at the moment and prone to bursting into tears at any...

IVF Day 19 – Just what the heck is IVF, anyway?

Today is the point in my wife’s cycle where she finally begins her course of IVF medication – or, as I prefer to tease her, she’s snorting drugs twice a day (the first course of hormones, nafarelin acetate, has to...

IVF: Day 13 – Drugs! Drugs! Drugs!

My wife's IVF hormone drugs arrived today via courier; a large refrigerated box, with "THIS WAY UP" written on it upside down. She was out, so I unpacked it and hopefully refrigerated the correct ones (they're currently sharing shelf space...

Why house hunting is a massive pain in the arse

I have a new job so soon we shall be moving, from Follytown (not its real name) in Oxfordshire to a place as yet undecided in Hampshire. We're house hunting, and I'd forgotten how much of a total pain in...

IVF: Day 8 – “You’re pregnant? Erm… Great!”

Yesterday, we went out to London for the day. The plan was: 1: Meet university friend and her husband for lunch 2: Theatre to see the Book of Mormon 3: Dinner with sister at my club. What could possibly go...