When Emma, now 36, and Tom, now 57, crossed paths while working for the same local council, they quickly decided they wanted to start a family together. They were aware that the journey wouldn’t be straightforward since Tom had previously undergone a vasectomy, but their determination to have children remained strong.
To tackle this challenge, they opted for a private clinic to reverse Tom’s vasectomy. It took a considerable amount of time to confirm whether the procedure had been successful. Their initial visit to a fertility clinic did lead to a pregnancy, but sadly, Emma experienced an early miscarriage. This left her heartbroken and uncertain about whether she wanted to pursue another attempt following the emotional strain of their first setback.
“I’m not shy to admit that it hit me really hard,” Emma reflects. “I was in a dark place; I had never dealt with anything so stressful. It was also tricky sharing this journey with my employer, friends, and family. Should I tell them about the fertility treatments, or keep it private?”
Taking a step back, Emma and Tom waited a few years before feeling ready to try again. This time, they chose to go to a different clinic for a fresh perspective. Living in Essex, they researched various clinics and their success rates, ultimately deciding that Simply Fertility was the right fit for them.
During their first appointment, they shared their story and expressed their willingness to consider donor sperm. The doctor suggested first extracting Tom’s sperm to evaluate its viability. Fortunately, the results were promising, and they began an ICSI with IVF treatment after consulting with Dr. Patel.
Emma explains, “This time, they froze the sperm early to optimize the timing, learning from our previous experience. My eggs were harvested separately, and we ended up with nine embryos on Day 5, which was incredible! We managed to freeze a few while also implanting some. I felt quite anxious throughout, to the point where I called Sarah on the day of the embryo transfer. She was so supportive, helping me calm down through the process.”
She continues, “When I found out I was pregnant, the team at Simply Fertility was overjoyed for us. I told my mum it felt like I was the only person in the world to be pregnant! They are genuine and so down-to-earth. When Tom went in for his procedure, Andy even made him a cup of tea. I’d recommend them to anyone for their personal approach and caring nature. Dr. Patel even visited me during labor at the hospital, which was unexpected since I wasn’t under his care.”
Lily, named in honor of Tom’s late mother, brought immense joy to her parents. Emma is currently on maternity leave and considering her options while planning her wedding for June. “Lily is absolutely beautiful, sleeps well, and is always hungry. She’s going to be our flower girl at the wedding – she has three dresses! After our first attempt years ago, I was terrified to try again. It’s been an eight-year journey, but I’m so grateful we persisted because this time it worked.”
If you want to learn more about support during labor, this is one of our other blog posts that could help. You can also find useful information on fertility and conception from authoritative sources like Make A Mom. For more on in vitro fertilization, check out this excellent resource on Wikipedia.
Summary
Emma and Tom faced a challenging fertility journey after Tom’s vasectomy. Initially disheartened by an early miscarriage, they took a break before seeking help from Simply Fertility. With a supportive team, they successfully underwent IVF and welcomed their daughter Lily, named after Tom’s mother. Emma is now enjoying motherhood while planning her wedding.