At lunch today, after our 7w US, my partner mentioned how he wants to be excited but of course feels the need to temper his expectations as we've lost before (blighted ovum in 2024) and have no inclinations of the quality of our embryo.
I told him that I was thinking about that before heading out today and came to this thought (and I know this won't be quite as applicable to everyone, at least not in the same way): I'm about a month out from turning 44 and most clinics will not allow for use of your own eggs once you hit 45. We have four 2PNs on ice but those were created last summer before the man's lifestyle changes had had much effect so who knows about their quality. With a due date of late Nov/Dec, it is highly unlikely that any RE would be willing to resume retrievals or pursue a transfer before I hit 45 as that would only be a few months post partum (that will be a mandatory c-section). So basically, this is likely the only pregnancy I'll get to experience and I just can't fathom looking back and never having allowed myself happiness/excitement at any of the milestones. So even if for some reason this doesn't make it all the way to live birth, I don't want to regret not letting it be something other than constant worry.
This isn't a "make the best of it" message. We are still doing our best to take things day by day, milestone by milestone, and not get ahead of ourselves. But if you too are holding your breath as you continue to walk forward, then I hope this mindset (or something close to it, more specific to your unique journey) helps you to enjoy the good news if/as it comes.