After a year of trying to conceive, Dawn, a 34-year-old account manager, and Linsley, a 42-year-old business owner, realized they had to take action. They didn’t want to let time slip away, so they sought help from Wessex Fertility. Thanks to IVF and ICSI treatments, they are now proud parents to the adorable baby Myles.
Dawn and Linsley had been friends for over ten years before their romance blossomed. “It really felt like fate when we finally got together!” Dawn recalls. A year into their relationship, they decided to start a family. However, after twelve months of trying without success, they turned to medical professionals for guidance. “We went through tests, and everything appeared normal, but we were left with unexplained infertility, which was super frustrating. The waiting list for NHS treatment was 18 months, and that was too long for us. We opted for private treatment after hearing about Wessex Fertility from a family member who had a successful experience,” Dawn shares.
Their journey began with a consultation at Wessex Fertility’s Basingstoke Satellite clinic, where Dr. Chantal Simonis recommended IVF with ICSI. “We were seen so quickly! The consultant reassured us that while my AMH levels were slightly low, we had a good chance of conceiving if we proceeded with treatment,” Dawn explains. They continued their appointments at the Southampton clinic.
From the onset, they felt a positive vibe at Wessex Fertility. “It was an amazing clinic, and we truly felt valued. Everyone was rooting for us to have a baby,” Dawn adds. The treatment went smoothly, and Dawn experienced minimal side effects. “I actually felt lucky, as I didn’t have any significant issues with the injections,” she recalls. In August 2016, she underwent an egg collection procedure, yielding 12 eggs. “I had a bit of discomfort afterward, but a few duvet days helped me recover,” she laughs.
Linsley’s sperm was used in the ICSI process, and they watched as their embryos developed over five days. One was chosen for transfer, and another was frozen for later use. As they awaited the results, they kept busy with enjoyable activities. “We focused on positivity—going out for nice meals, watching funny movies, and I even picked up an adult coloring book to stay relaxed. I truly believe it helped our treatment,” Dawn reflects.
When the two-week wait was over, Dawn took a pregnancy test early one morning. “I had a dream it would be positive, so I just had to check. I was in shock when I saw the results. I told Linsley, and we both ended up in tears—it was so emotional!”
Dawn’s pregnancy progressed well, but she faced a challenging labor experience. After three long days of labor, they welcomed their beautiful son Myles, who weighed 7lb 15oz. “Life before him is a blur! He has completed our family. Although we’d love more kids, for now, we’re completely smitten with Myles. He has the most cheeky personality and a head full of hair—he’s definitely a charmer!” she beams.
Dawn offers sage advice to others embarking on the IVF journey: “Keep life as normal as possible. Plan fun activities, watch uplifting films, and be kind to yourself. It’s essential to stay positive and realistic while keeping negative thoughts at bay.”
Dawn and Linsley are now embracing parenthood with their precious baby Myles, and they couldn’t be happier.
In summary, Dawn and Linsley’s journey through IVF and ICSI at Wessex Fertility led them to the joy of parenthood with their son Myles. Their story emphasizes resilience, positivity, and the importance of support during the fertility journey. If you’re looking for more insights on pregnancy, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. And for those considering at-home options, make sure to look into this artificial insemination kit, which can offer additional assistance. Plus, don’t forget to check out our blog post on essential products for the third trimester of pregnancy!