When Emma first met Liam, he was eager to have kids, but she wasn’t quite ready for that chapter. It became a bit of a friendly back-and-forth; Emma wanted to tie the knot, while Liam was focused on starting a family. In the end, Emma won that little debate! They got married and soon after, took an extended honeymoon in New Zealand. During their trip, the couple had some heart-to-heart discussions about starting a family and decided to give it a go in a relaxed manner. For Emma, it was a low-pressure situation.
However, after six months of trying, they realized nothing was happening. A year passed, and still no luck. Before they knew it, two years had gone by, and Emma was starting to feel disheartened. In September 2020, they reached out to their GP, and by December, they were already on the path to treatment.
During the pre-treatment phase, they had a phone appointment with a consultant at TFP Oxford Fertility. He thoroughly explained the process and set them up for an NHS treatment program. The entire Oxford team was incredibly supportive and answered all their questions. Emma was even surprised to learn just how esteemed their consultant was after seeing him featured on the BBC!
Traveling to the clinic was a breeze for them since they lived nearby in Chipping Norton. Plus, Liam knew every shortcut in the area. With the pandemic ongoing, the medication was delivered straight to their door. Emma learned how to administer the injections herself, although Liam helped out once. Ultimately, she preferred to do it herself, maintaining a positive mindset throughout the process. The injections became a bit more intense when she had to switch to two a day, but she managed by alternating sides on her stomach to avoid bruising.
On egg retrieval day, Emma was thrilled when they collected 20 eggs! They injected sperm into half and allowed the others to develop naturally. Out of that, eight embryos matured over five days. Transfer day was smooth, and they ended up with three good-quality embryos, with the team selecting the healthiest one for transfer and freezing the others.
The two-week wait that followed was the most nerve-wracking period of their lives. Fortunately, since they were in lockdown, Emma was working from home and didn’t need to commute to Oxford. When the test showed a faint positive line, she was ecstatic but also cautious, knowing that miscarriages can happen. They shared the news with close family but kept it under wraps for a bit longer.
During her first trimester, Emma faced some challenges, losing nearly a stone in weight, but medication helped. By the last trimester, things improved, although she admitted she wasn’t the most enthusiastic about being pregnant. The feeling of the baby moving around was a bit unsettling for her, but her mom found it hilarious.
After a lengthy 12-hour labor at Horton General Hospital in Banbury, Emma welcomed baby Oliver naturally with no epidural. She just returned to work as a PA for a science professor, feeling good to regain her identity, yet she cherishes the time with her little one. Currently, Oliver is being cared for by both grandmothers while they navigate the nursery waiting lists.
Emma’s colleagues have been incredibly understanding about her new parenting role, and of course, Oliver is enjoying being spoiled as the first grandchild. Life has been a whirlwind since his arrival, but Emma wouldn’t trade it for anything.
If you’re considering your own fertility journey, check out this helpful resource for pregnancy and home insemination. And if you’re looking for baby names, you might find some inspiration from our blog on baby girl names starting with “C”.
In summary, Emma and Liam’s journey with TFP Oxford Fertility was filled with ups and downs, but ultimately led to the joyful arrival of their son Oliver. Their experience highlights the importance of support and resilience throughout the fertility process.