Miracle Christmas Birth, Leicester Royal Infirmary, England

Main Category: Fertility
Article Date: 16 Dec 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Tina Smith and her husband Adam had been trying for a baby for three years before being told they were unlikely to have children. But this Christmas their dreams have come true with the expected birth of their first child, thanks to fertility specialists at Leicester's hospitals. The couple, from Hinckley, underwent a specialist form of IVF in March where a single sperm is injected into the egg. The baby is now due on December 18.

Tina, 38, said: "We got married in 2005 and started trying straight away. I got pregnant during our honeymoon, but lost it at six weeks. We kept trying but nothing happened. I went to my GP and we had tests and treatment but still nothing happened.

"When we had the IVF I thought it wouldn't happen because it was our first time. I didn't think I would be that lucky. But it was amazing! Of course then we worried that something would happen and I'd miscarry - it's been a real rollercoaster.

"I didn't tell many people until the 20 weeks scan and we didn't really buy anything until 25 weeks, because I thought it would jinx us. We've chosen not to know the sex of the baby, we've waited this long - we just want it to be healthy.

"It really is the perfect Christmas present for us."

In 2008, a total of 103 babies were born thanks to the efforts of staff at the Assisted Fertility Unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary. and another 80 are currently expected. In 40 per cent of cases there is a female cause, in 40 per cent its male, and in 20 per cent of couples both have a problem.

Mo Thomas from the unit said: "All of our staff are always delighted when we can give couples such good news.

"Christmas is a time for children and we know through our counselling service that it can be really, really hard for our patients who are not pregnant. The whole season is a reminder that they don't have children, so it's really nice to be able to show that fertility treatment does work and give hope, especially at this time of year."

The Assisted Conception Unit can be contacted on 0116 258 5922

There are a range of reasons why couples may not be able to conceive naturally. In some cases IVF is not an option.

Egg donation can be the only option for women who are unable to produce their own eggs for a variety of reasons. It may be because they have gone through the menopause early - as young as their early twenties. Others have undergone treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy which has left them infertile.

Sperm donation can be the only option for men who have become infertile due to treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Other couples may have genetic conditions which they do not want to pass on to their children.

Source
Carol Burns
Communications
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
www.uhl-tr.nhs.uk