27 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy Journey After Blighted Ovum (Anembryonic Pregnancy)

27 Weeks Pregnant | Pregnancy Journey After Blighted Ovum (Anembryonic Pregnancy)

27 Weeks Pregnant

PREGNANCY JOURNEY AFTER BLIGHTED OVUM (ANEMBRYONIC PREGNANCY)

Your Family

I moved to New Zealand around 12 years ago from Turkey to complete my PhD. (My ethnicity is Caucasian.) During my student years, I fell in love with life here and decided to build my career in New Zealand. My husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, moved here for me and we created our life together.

All of our family and relatives remain in Turkey.

Our Relationship

How did you meet?
My husband was my sister’s friend. She introduced us. Our relationship began long distance and survived all the challenges that distance brings.

When did you start talking about children?
After we got married, we didn’t want to rush into having children. We stopped using contraception but focused on achieving some life goals first — advancing our careers, travelling, buying our first home.

We purchased our first home during the pandemic and decided that was the right time to focus on trying for a baby.

I had been diagnosed with PCOS and truly believed I might never have a child. We didn’t fall pregnant for two years after stopping contraception. My husband always believed it would happen — even when I didn’t.

We decided to prioritise our health. We improved our diet, exercised regularly and worked on reducing stress. After three months of a healthier lifestyle, I became pregnant for the first time.

Unfortunately, we later discovered it was a blighted ovum (anembryonic pregnancy) — a condition where a gestational sac develops without an embryo. I miscarried following medication and was advised to wait three full cycles before trying again.

I was devastated. My husband stayed strong for both of us. After the recommended waiting period, we conceived again on the very first try.

This Pregnancy

How far along are you?
27 weeks.

How did you find out?
I have irregular periods but track them with an app. When it said my period was late, I didn’t think much of it. However, I had very sore breasts. I took a home pregnancy test at around 6 weeks according to the app — it showed a faint line. I couldn’t believe it. I repeated the test and then had a blood test to confirm.

Your partner’s reaction?
He was overjoyed. He hugged me while I cried. He believed more than I did that our dream would come true.

Who did you tell first?
With our first pregnancy, we told our parents immediately. They are older and live far away, and the pandemic made everything feel uncertain.

With this pregnancy, we waited for ultrasound confirmation. After the loss, we were more cautious.

I also informed my work colleagues early for safety reasons. I work as a scientist in a laboratory on COVID-19 research and worked throughout lockdowns. Our pregnancy experience felt very different from most.

After three months, we shared the news more widely with family and friends.

Announcement or gender reveal?
Nothing elaborate. I baked a cake to share the news at work, and my husband posted our ultrasound image on Facebook. We didn’t want to take risks with COVID around.

First Trimester Fears

I didn’t experience severe morning sickness — more like car sickness when I was hungry. Pretzels helped immediately.

In the first trimester, I craved very salty foods. At times, I would literally lick salt from my finger. These cravings eased after starting iodine supplements.

Emotionally, it was harder. After our previous loss, I was terrified. I avoided buying anything baby related. I was scared to start journalling or become too attached. I found myself checking for blood constantly. I experienced brown spotting at 9–10 weeks in both pregnancies and feared the worst each time.

At 27 weeks, I have only just purchased our first baby item.

Birth Plans

We plan to give birth in hospital to feel safe in all scenarios. Afterwards, we hope to stay at Warkworth Birth Centre.

I haven’t packed my hospital bag yet but have been researching. Recommended essentials include:

  • A merino suit
  • A soft beanie
  • A swaddle

Advice & Reflections

The best advice I received was to focus on reducing stress and prioritising health rather than obsessing over pregnancy.

Although I am a scientist, I feel PCOS is often oversimplified. Irregular periods, weight challenges and hormonal symptoms are frequently grouped together without deeper understanding. I personally found that when I reduced stress and focused on overall wellbeing, my cycles improved.

I often noticed I would get my period while on holiday — when I was relaxed.

Advice for Those Trying to Conceive

  • Focus on yourself first.
  • Enjoy your life.
  • Avoid chronic stress where possible.
  • Eat well and move your body for health, not aesthetics.
  • Track your cycle, but don’t let pregnancy consume your identity.

If this story has helped you, and you would like to share your own journey — whether about trying to conceive, pregnancy, loss, surrogacy or parenthood — we would love to hear from you.

Pictured: Made With Love Pregnancy Journal

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Document your own journey with the Pregnancy Journal – Made With Love, and continue your story with the Baby Book – Your First Years.

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