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Helen Bradford-Swire

@helenswire

Financial/legal journo & news editor. Writing a book. Mental health, running, Bond, LOTR, Twin Peaks, Partridge. French & Russian graduate. Views my own.

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05.03.2025
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Latest posts by Helen Bradford-Swire @helenswire

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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

27.02.2026 17:03 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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

20.02.2026 19:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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...

21.01.2026 20:18 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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

01.01.2026 14:28 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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.

24.12.2025 17:22 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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

24.12.2025 12:40 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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...

06.12.2025 10:16 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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...

30.11.2025 10:09 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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#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.

24.11.2025 13:14 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 3
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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...

08.11.2025 13:57 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
#SundayCinema presents
The Night of the Hunter
November 9th, 8pm GMT

#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

03.11.2025 12:01 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 2

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

02.11.2025 21:35 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

02.11.2025 21:27 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

02.11.2025 20:50 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

02.11.2025 20:37 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

02.11.2025 20:33 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

02.11.2025 20:32 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

The fucking dumbest, I love it.

#SundayCinema

02.11.2025 20:28 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

02.11.2025 20:28 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

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

02.11.2025 20:24 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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

02.11.2025 20:22 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

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

02.11.2025 20:19 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

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

02.11.2025 20:16 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

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

02.11.2025 20:03 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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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!

02.11.2025 20:01 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Cannot. Wait.

02.11.2025 09:42 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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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

01.11.2025 12:23 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Finding fairies On finding Sex and the City relatable and collecting my IVF fairies, Natalie, Claire and…Ian

On finding Sex and the City relatable and collecting my IVF fairies: Natalie, Claire and…Ian.
possiblyparents.substack.com/p/finding-fa... #IVF #Fertility #MentalHealth #Wellbeing

13.10.2025 16:52 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

You know what, let's do the Annual Mister Global National Costume thread tonight after all. Usual rules apply - this is all in fun, this isn't about the contestants looks or making fun of them, it's about the costumes and appreciating them (or, you know, making fun of them...)

11.10.2025 18:53 πŸ‘ 635 πŸ” 249 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 144