Giving birth (part two): saying the quiet parts out loud Mum guilt, IVF guilt and saying the things we’ve been taught to internalise out loud

On mum guilt, IVF guilt and how making the right medical decision has still left me asking if I'm 'enough': possiblyparents.substack.com/p/giving-bir... #IVF #pregnancy #firsttimemum

You thought with a newborn I wouldn't have time to pull together my #GrandNational top ten? Oh ye of little faith.
firstpastthepostracing.wordpress.com/2026/04/09/g...

Giving birth (part one): planning for no plan Our perfect, wonderful IVF baby has joined us – and it was about as smooth going as the rest of an IVF pregnancy (not very, basically)

What happened when I gave birth: my latest Substack on how we are (just about) living proof that even the most unplanned birth plans very quickly go out of the window possiblyparents.substack.com/p/giving-bir... #pregnancy #birth #birthplan

After three years of IVF waiting lists, medication, egg collections and embryo transfers...I finally get to put this out of office on. And now, we just wait for Baby Bradford-Swire to put in an appearance. #IVF #Fertility #Pregnancy

Hello, you An open letter to the alien living inside me

An open letter to the little IVF alien inside me, ahead of its imminent arrival…
possiblyparents.substack.com/p/hello-you

#pregnancy #IVF

Not-so-New-Year resolutions Now all the resolutions we planned on 31 December have gone out of the window, it’s time to think about the attainable self-care ones we can make

It's that point in January where we've all given up on/forgotten our New Year resolutions...I've examined how, if you're on the #IVF journey, you can set yourself goals that are attainable, practical and prioritise self-care: possiblyparents.substack.com/p/not-so-new...

Racing 2026: Dates for your diary I may have been in a Christmas food coma and also seven(ish) months pregnant, but the Boxing Day racing from Kempton had me off the sofa screaming at the TV. I can only imagine it was the same for …

It was an exciting racing Christmas - 2026 holds even more excitement on and off the racecourse: firstpastthepostracing.wordpress.com/2026/01/01/r... #horseracing #pregnancy #IVF

a muppet with a graduation cap and gown is standing next to a boy and says it is the british way ALT: a muppet with a graduation cap and gown is standing next to a boy and says it is the british way

#NowWatching The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992).

Michael Caine: *walks to his office*
A whole bunch of Muppets: oh look, there goes that absolute arseweasel.

Surviving the most wonderful time of the year This too shall pass…most things from the next fortnight end up in the recycling anyway

Some tips for surviving the most family-centric of holidays when you're struggling in the murky depths of IVF. So many people, myself included, have been there - you're not alone.
possiblyparents.substack.com/p/surviving-... #IVF #Fertility #Christmas #ChristmasEve

Genetic testing: where’s the line? When medical testing blurs the lines with ethical decisions

With the news that a New York clinic is offering to 'optimise your baby' through #IVF genetic testing...where do we draw the ethical line? possiblyparents.substack.com/p/genetic-te...

Familiar battlegrounds Once again I have been remiss in my racing writing, but I have a good excuse – for more on that, see my IVF writing. It does mean that I’ve been totally disconnected with the end of the flat season…

It's the end of Autumn, so at work I've been thinking a lot about the #Budget2025. But at weekends, I've been thinking a lot about #HorseRacing. Here's what's been going down in the run-up to the big Christmas meets: firstpastthepostracing.wordpress.com/2025/11/30/f...

#SundayCinema Announcement!

Talk a trip up the winding interior with The Spiral Staircase (1946)

You'll be lost for words..

Available on YouTube in high quality. Join us.

The Life After series: When motherhood isn’t the ending, but a turning point Lana Manikowski, author of Infertile and Childless. So Now What?, writes for Possibly Parents about grieving, healing and finding the joy in life if the dream of having children ends

The wonderful Lana Manikowski has written today’s post for Possibly Parents, examining what life looks like when you decide you’re done with fertility treatment: grieving, healing and finding the joy in a different life path.

#IVF #Fertility

possiblyparents.substack.com/p/the-life-a...

#SundayCinema presents The Night of the Hunter November 9th, 8pm GMT

#SundayCinema Announcement!
We're starting #Noirvember with a cult movie from the 50's. A psycho preacher, a naive blonde, innocent children and iconic tatooed knuckles!

Feel free to join the regulars for The Night of the Hunter (1955). The #WatchParty will be this Sunday, November 9th @ 8pm GMT

Well that is an immensely silly film. I loved it. Glad to be back, #SundayCinema team!

A John Hurt cameo just for an Alien joke. Incredible. Shows what great actors would do for the love of Mel Brooks. #SundayCinema

"Are we being...too literal?" #SundayCinema

So much love for John Candy's ability to control a whole dialogue with a tiny squeak or intonation. #SundayCinema

I can see it! He has an 80s floppy haired charm.

Yes! Just had to Google as I was deeply confused.

"What's the matter Colonel Sanders? CHICKEN!?"

The fucking dumbest, I love it.

#SundayCinema

Hang on, I've just discovered Joan Rivers is dead and Bill Pullman is alive, contrary to my beliefs about both. This evening has been a rollercoaster. #SundayCinema

THIS IS HOW I FIND OUT JOAN RIVERS DIED? OVER A DECADE AGO?

a man wearing a wig and a patch on his shirt is sitting in a chair with his face painted like a dog . ALT: a man wearing a wig and a patch on his shirt is sitting in a chair with his face painted like a dog .

John Candy's independently moving ears are great. #SundayCinema

Absolutely cackling at "Lock one, lock two, lock three, Loch Lomond!"

This film is so silly and I'm HERE FOR IT. #SundayCinema

Firstly, Joan Rivers! Secondly, Dom DeLuise! Thirdly, Bill Pullman is *so young* in this. #SundayCinema

I don't think I've seen this since I was in my early teens, I'm so excited (to start at Chapter Eleven). #SundayCinema

a man in a suit and tie is saying `` back and ready '' . ALT: a man in a suit and tie is saying `` back and ready '' .

#NowWatching Spaceballs (1987) for #SundayCinema. I've had a bit of a SC hiatus due to being pregnant and in bed most Sundays at 9pm...but I'm BACK AND READY team!

Cannot. Wait.

Choosing wisely: a checklist With so many options on the table, what should you be asking of a private IVF clinic?

From cost transparency to aftercare, what is it fair for you to expect from an IVF clinic when you're paying them thousands of pounds? possiblyparents.substack.com/p/choosing-w... #IVF #fertility