When Mia and Amir embarked on their path to parenthood, they quickly realized that many of their friends and neighbors from their Pakistani community were unfamiliar with the potential of IVF. Despite facing numerous challenges, their resolve remained steadfast, resulting in the arrival of their sons, Adam and Sami, born 11 years apart from the same egg collection.
Dreams of Motherhood
Mia had always dreamed of becoming a mother, and shortly after marrying Amir, they began their family planning journey. However, months passed with no success. “It felt like an eternity,” Mia recalls. “Working in a maternity ward is fulfilling, but I constantly felt there was a void in my life.” Medical tests eventually revealed that Mia had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, both of which complicate natural conception.
Understanding PCOS and Endometriosis
PCOS and endometriosis are both common issues affecting fertility by disrupting ovulation. While endometriosis can often be detected through imaging, PCOS is diagnosed through symptoms and blood tests. Despite surgical interventions and medications to stimulate ovulation, Mia still faced challenges in conceiving. An early attempt at IVF at a local clinic ended in heartbreak with a miscarriage at seven weeks. “I was devastated and angry, asking myself, ‘Why is this happening to me?'” she shares. However, Mia chose to take a step back and allow herself time to heal.
A New Beginning
Once she felt ready to try again, Mia spoke with an NHS gynecologist who referred her to a fertility clinic, TFP Oxford Fertility. She vividly remembers the warm welcome from the staff, saying, “Everyone, from the receptionists to the doctors, were kind and made me feel valued.” The clinicians suspected Mia’s ovaries had been overstimulated during her first IVF attempt, so they adjusted her medication, leading to a smaller but higher quality egg collection. Eight viable embryos were created, and on transfer day, Mia felt a mix of nerves and determination. “I was prepared to endure anything for my baby,” she recalls, adding that the only discomfort was from a full bladder required for the procedure.
The Joy of Pregnancy
The transfer was successful. After a tense two weeks, Mia took a pregnancy test on the day of Eid, a significant Islamic holiday, and was overjoyed to discover it was positive—“a gift from God,” as she put it. Baby Adam was born following a healthy pregnancy. Fast forward eleven years, and Mia was 43 when she decided to try for another child. Knowing they had two frozen embryos from their earlier IVF cycle, they faced a challenge—there was no NHS funding available for a second round.
“I saved for years, but it was tough,” Mia explains. As the storage contract for the embryos approached its end, she and Amir made the decision to pursue another IVF attempt. They chose to keep their plans private, sharing the news only with close family and friends. “It was hard to keep it a secret,” she admits, “but we told our son Adam, of course.”
Welcoming Baby Sami
When it came time for the frozen embryo transfer, the clinical team carefully thawed the embryos before placing them in Mia’s uterus. After the test, she was thrilled to learn she was pregnant again. Adam was over the moon about the news! Baby Sami arrived healthy and happy.
Gratitude and Awareness
Reflecting on their journey, Mia feels immense gratitude. “It took a long time to build our family, but everything we went through was worth it.” While IVF was not widely understood in her community when she started, she’s pleased to see growing awareness today. “When I share my story, people are often amazed by how IVF works,” she says.
Resources for Those Seeking Support
If you’re interested in learning more about fertility options or seeking support, there are plenty of resources available. Check out this excellent article on in vitro fertilisation for more information. And if you’re looking for at-home solutions, Make a Mom offers kits that can help. For a lighter read, you might enjoy this post about our favorite bedtime rituals featuring beauty sleep resurfacing serum, which you can find here.
Conclusion
In summary, Mia and Amir’s IVF journey, marked by resilience and hope, resulted in their family being completed with the arrival of their sons, showcasing the power of modern fertility treatments.