The photo Chloe couldn’t stop thinking about: Underwater Maternity Portrait after IVF

A long road to motherhood

Chloe’s pregnancy wasn’t just long-awaited — it was hard-won.

Seven years of trying. Five years of IVF. Surgery, medications, spreadsheets, tears, hope, near-misses, regrouping. She and her husband Matt did everything. It had taken a toll in every way — physically, emotionally, financially.

So when 2023 arrived, they agreed it would be their final year of trying. One last round. And then, they would let go.

Hope, heartbreak, and holding on

In July 2023, 14 eggs were retrieved, and five became viable embryos. The first transfer brought hope but ended in early loss, just days after Chloe’s birthday. It was devastating. But they pressed on. A frozen embryo transfer was scheduled for October. Chloe was back at work, quietly juggling the demands of daily life while injecting hormones in the office bathroom.

This time… the pregnancy held.

She was still cautious. Early blood results looked good, and by six weeks the numbers were rising. At her eight-week scan, Chloe saw a tiny flicker of a heartbeat.

But the fear didn’t leave.

At 13 weeks, Chloe and Matt received unexpected news from a routine prenatal screening. The result raised concern for a possible genetic condition. It was a shock — and after everything they’d already been through, the fear was immense. Their doctor gently explained the next steps, and a diagnostic test was arranged to get clarity. That night was long. Tearful. Full of quiet panic.

Then, the call came: it was a false positive. Their baby girl was healthy. The overwhelming relief was indescribable.

The pregnancy continued — with iron transfusions, bump photos, surprise cupcakes at work, and baby showers filled with friends and colour and cake. Chloe stayed grateful, but guarded. Even in the later months, she described “just waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

But it didn’t.

Aubrey was born safely. Chloe described the moment they were finally together as “pure love, joy, and honestly primarily relief.” They were complete. A family.