Meet Emma, a devoted Mum who has taken it upon herself to assist other Mums on their journeys to motherhood. Diagnosed with polycystic ovaries at 18, Emma always faced the possibility that conceiving a child could be a challenge. However, after welcoming her two sons, she felt a strong urge to help others navigate their paths to parenthood.
Emma and Jake’s Story
Looking back, Emma (39) wasn’t certain if children were in her future until she met Jake (39) in 2016. “Getting diagnosed with polycystic ovaries at 18 made me aware that getting pregnant might not be straightforward,” she shares. She recalls dealing with irregular periods from the age of 16, including one that lasted an entire year when she was 17. “As I approach 40, I still find it difficult to fully grasp what having polycystic ovaries means for my body, but the team at TFP GCRM Fertility came pretty close to helping me understand,” she reflects.
While Emma didn’t experience severe symptoms aside from irregular cycles, she has always struggled with her weight. “I was advised to lose a significant amount of weight.” Unsure of when to start trying for a baby, Emma consulted her GP at 32, who promptly referred her to the gynecology department at her local hospital.
“We spent less than ten minutes there. The doctor told me to lose weight, and we could talk,” she remembers, feeling disheartened as she thought there was no way forward for her.
BMI Guidelines for Fertility Treatment
Every fertility clinic has specific BMI guidelines for patients undergoing IVF, as there are technical challenges and risks associated with higher BMI during egg retrieval. In some situations, clinics may treat patients exceeding these limits, but an anaesthetic assessment is necessary.
“If the receptionist hadn’t been so kind, our journey would have unfolded quite differently,” Emma says. Just when she and Jake were about to pursue adoption, they heard a radio ad for TFP GCRM Fertility. Although they were unfamiliar with IVF, they called the clinic right away for more information. “The person I spoke to was so reassuring, explaining that private clinics have different BMI guidelines and that I was close to the limit at GCRM.”
During a consultation with a TFP GCRM fertility specialist, it was decided that Emma would work on lowering her BMI to start treatment. “I joined a gym, lost the weight, and when I returned for a final check, the nurses confirmed I was within the required range, scheduling my treatment for the following Monday.”
“They were ready to stay overnight in the clinic to ensure our embryos were cared for during the COVID-19 crisis,” Emma recalls. As they geared up for their first IVF cycle in March 2020, the country was heading into lockdown. Before the restrictions began, Emma had 22 eggs collected after a 14-day hormone treatment to stimulate egg growth. These eggs were then fertilized with Jake’s sperm and left to develop into blastocysts over five days.
“Just as we were waiting for day five, the lockdown was announced. I received a call from the lab tech who promised to stay at the clinic for as long as necessary to care for our embryos.” Emma and Jake’s embryos were frozen and safely stored, awaiting transfer once the country reopened. “The hardest part was the uncertainty of how long we would have to wait.”
Four months later, after restrictions eased, Emma was ready for her first embryo transfer. After several unsuccessful attempts, a transfer in August 2020 brought them their first child, a baby boy named Leo. In 2023, they decided to try for a sibling. An embryo was thawed, leading to the birth of Max in May 2024.
“It Can Be a Long and Lonely Process.”
Being pregnant for the first time during a pandemic was incredibly isolating for Emma. “I naively thought I would have regular check-ins with my midwife, but that wasn’t the reality. With IVF, you find out you’re pregnant early and then face a long wait for the first NHS scan at 12 weeks. I pictured attending classes to learn about baby care, but COVID put a stop to that. Suddenly, I found myself Googling everything. It was overwhelming.”
As a Mum of two, Emma felt compelled to create a supportive environment for Mums, expectant Mums, and those hoping to become Mums. In May 2022, she launched Blossom and Bloom Lanarkshire, a community focused on learning and support. “I designed it to be more accessible than traditional antenatal classes, allowing Mums to join at any point during pregnancy. I share what to expect during pregnancy and childbirth, both before and after.”
What to Expect Throughout Your Pregnancy
At TFP Fertility, an early viability scan is conducted between 6-7 weeks of pregnancy. Following this, you should contact your GP or community midwife to initiate antenatal care. You’ll be invited for your first NHS scan at 12 weeks. For your first pregnancy, you can expect up to 10 antenatal appointments, during which your midwife performs health checks to ensure your pregnancy is healthy for you and your baby.
“I’m just a Mum helping other Mums.”
Throughout your pregnancy, your midwife can recommend local antenatal classes where you’ll learn about staying healthy, creating a suitable birth plan, and caring for your baby. Through Blossom and Bloom Lanarkshire, Emma now hosts weekly pregnancy classes, workshops for parents-to-be, first aid courses, monthly Mum nights, and online sessions for additional support.
“If you have the opportunity to take an antenatal class, do it! It teaches you the practical aspects of childbirth. But I’m here to provide a checklist of what to do before and after, and to guide your birthing partner so they can support you effectively.”
Emma acknowledges that new parenthood can be daunting, recalling how even choosing the right clothing size for her first child brought tears. “I’m not a midwife or a medical expert; my mission is to create a community for Mums and Mums-to-be to share knowledge and support one another. I provide practical advice, from bottle feeding options to essential baby items on their wish list.”
Her classes attract not just first-time Mums but also those expecting their second or third child, offering a chance to focus on themselves and their babies while exchanging knowledge. Many Mums stay connected outside of class for continued support.
“Every person we encountered at TFP Fertility made our journey possible, allowing us to have our children. The support didn’t end after our transfer, and we’re incredibly grateful. This is my way of giving back to others on a similar path.”
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a parent, check out this post about how Make a Mom arrived just when we needed it most. For those considering at-home insemination, Make a Mom offers a fertility boost with their kits. For a comprehensive understanding of the IVF process, visit this resource on in vitro fertilisation.
Summary
Emma, a devoted Mum, shares her journey with polycystic ovaries and the challenges she faced while trying to conceive. After successfully navigating IVF with her husband Jake, they welcomed two sons. Inspired by her experiences, Emma founded Blossom and Bloom Lanarkshire, a support network for Mums and Mums-to-be, providing education and community. Her mission is to create a safe space for sharing knowledge and support throughout the parenting journey.