Meet Sarah and Tom, a couple from Basingstoke, Hampshire, who always assumed starting a family would be easy. So when they faced challenges in conceiving, their worries began to grow. Thanks to NHS funding, they were able to turn their hopes into reality and welcome their little one.
The Beginning of Their Journey
Sarah and Tom began their journey in 2009. After two years of trying without success, Sarah, then 26, started to feel anxious. They visited their GP and were referred for fertility tests at their local hospital. “I underwent a hysterosalpingogram, and thankfully, there were no blockages in my tubes,” Sarah shared. “The blood tests and pelvic scan revealed I had mild polycystic ovarian syndrome, but it shouldn’t hinder my chances of getting pregnant.” This left them with unexplained infertility, which can be incredibly frustrating for couples seeking answers.
Facing Emotional Challenges
“It’s easy to take getting pregnant for granted. When it doesn’t happen, you start to think, ‘Why us? We would be such great parents.’ It’s heartbreaking,” Sarah reflected. Over the next 18 months, Sarah endured three cycles of Clomifene and two rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI) at their local fertility unit. Unfortunately, the side effects from the medications left her feeling quite unwell, and both cycles ended in disappointment. “Sarah was really struggling emotionally during the IUI process. I did my best to support her, but it was tough seeing her so overwhelmed,” Tom recalled.
Hope Through NHS Funding
Afterward, they returned to their GP, who informed them of their eligibility for an NHS-funded cycle since Sarah was over 30 and met all the other criteria. This news was a huge relief for them, especially after the financial strain they had already endured. The NHS funding allowed them to receive one cycle of IVF, including necessary medications and procedures, giving them renewed hope for parenthood.
A New Beginning at Wessex Fertility
A friend recommended Wessex Fertility, sharing their positive experience. After attending a seminar and being impressed by the team’s professionalism and warmth, they decided to move forward. In early 2015, six years after starting their baby journey, Sarah began her antagonist cycle at Wessex Fertility in Southampton. “The process was so much smoother than my previous experiences with IUI. At Wessex, we felt like we could take a step back, knowing they were in charge. It was straightforward and I hardly experienced any side effects. I felt hopeful for the first time,” Sarah explained.
The IVF Process
During her egg collection, Sarah had six eggs retrieved, which were then inseminated. The couple learned that three embryos were of good quality, but one stood out as the best for transfer, while the other two were frozen for potential future use. They then entered the anxious two-week wait to see if their treatment had worked. “About a week after the transfer, I experienced some severe pains. I called Dr. Sue Ingamells at 2:30 am, and she reassured me, scheduling a scan for the next morning,” Sarah recounted. She was diagnosed with mild ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS), a possible reaction to the hormone medications, but received guidance on how to manage it.
The Joy of Pregnancy
The moment of truth came when Sarah had a blood test to check for pregnancy. When she received the call confirming that she was expecting, she was overjoyed. “I couldn’t believe there was a little life growing inside me! We had been honest with our friends and family about the IVF process, so we had a strong support system. Sharing the news brought so much joy and celebration,” Sarah said, feeling incredibly fortunate that it had worked on the first attempt. The couple took great care during the pregnancy and cherished every single moment.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about the journey to parenthood, check out this article on pregnancy in just 120 seconds. For couples considering alternatives, you might find valuable information on artificial insemination kits from a trusted source. Additionally, this article about IVF can provide excellent insights into fertility treatments.
Conclusion
In summary, Sarah and Tom faced numerous hurdles in their journey to parenthood, but with NHS-funded IVF at Wessex Fertility, they found hope and support when they needed it most. Their story serves as a reminder that perseverance can lead to beautiful outcomes.