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Success Story: Emma’s IVF Journey
Published on April 27, 2021
Emma, a 34-year-old primary school teacher from Milton Keynes, has always dreamed of becoming a mother. After tying the knot with firefighter Jake, 28, they eagerly began their journey to parenthood. However, an ectopic pregnancy and subsequent miscarriages forced them to turn to IVF to fulfill their dreams.
Emma shares: “I’ve always wanted to be a mum. So after marrying Jake, we started trying right away. Although we conceived quickly, I faced an ectopic pregnancy that resulted in me collapsing at school. I underwent an emergency laparoscopy and had to stay in the hospital, which was terrifying. This was followed by two miscarriages, which put a strain on our relationship.
We consulted our GP to understand the reasons behind our struggles. Tests revealed scarring from the ectopic pregnancy in one of my fallopian tubes, and the other tube was damaged, likely from an old infection. While this didn’t account for my miscarriages, it indicated I was at high risk of another ectopic pregnancy. Our only viable option was IVF.
I felt crushed. A friend tried to comfort me, saying that ‘some people aren’t meant to be parents.’ I began to think maybe that was true, and just recalling it brings tears to my eyes. But Jake supported me; he knew my longing to be a mother and encouraged me to keep fighting for treatment. His resilience as a firefighter was evident during this tough time.
We applied for IVF through Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group. Initially told to expect a six-week wait for funding approval, we were thrilled to hear back in just one week, and they referred us to Oxford Fertility. We had already researched various clinics, checking success rates and reviews, so we were delighted they chose Oxford Fertility for us.
Upon our arrival at the clinic, we were pleasantly surprised—it didn’t feel like a hospital. It was clean and modern, with friendly staff, which was comforting after my previous experiences. The nurses and our consultant were incredibly positive, answering all our questions and providing informative materials to help us digest everything.
The clinic also offers a fantastic counselling service, which reassured us that they cared about our emotional wellbeing.
The treatment process seemed to fly by. I remember taking my first nasal spray while camping, setting numerous alarms to ensure I didn’t miss a dose. Before I knew it, we were ready for the embryo transfer. We produced ten embryos, but the numbers gradually decreased to seven, then five. Fortunately, we ended up with two high-quality embryos—one was transferred, and the other was frozen for future use. Two weeks later, we were overjoyed to find out we were pregnant!
Our son, Oliver, was born in June 2015. He has such a cheeky personality! We chose his middle name to honor my brother, who tragically passed away in a car accident at 19. It’s adorable how he insists, ‘I’m not Oliver, I’m just Ollie!’
Last year, we returned to Oxford Fertility to thaw and transfer our remaining embryo. It felt right, and using a frozen embryo is a more cost-effective option. We were surprised and ecstatic when it worked again, and our daughter, Mia, arrived in January this year.
I feel like Oliver and Mia belong not just to us but to our entire support network. Our friends and family have been with us every step of this journey, which means the world to us.
I can’t wait to introduce Mia to my school community. They’ve been like family, supporting me through my ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages, and Oliver’s birth. I remember bringing Oliver in, and everyone was in tears of joy.
Looking back, I’m grateful for every part of this journey, as it led me to Oliver and Mia. I wholeheartedly recommend Oxford Fertility. The staff is lovely, respectful, and optimistic. We entrusted them with our hopes, and they made our dreams a reality. I can’t praise them enough!
If you’re interested in exploring fertility options, check out this post about fertility pricing and insurance, which can help guide you on your journey. For more resources, visit this excellent overview on IVF and home insemination.
In summary, Emma and Jake’s journey through IVF at Oxford Fertility was filled with challenges, but ultimately led them to their beautiful children, Oliver and Mia. Their story is a testament to resilience and the impact of a supportive community.