Woman gives birth to baby via IVF after 18 years of trying
A mum has welcomed a healthy baby via IVF after trying to conceive for 18 years.
Kim, 40 welcomed her first child naturally when she was just 17 years old.
But after she met her husband James, 46, she realised she desperately wanted to have a second baby.
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But, despite their best efforts, Kim and James couldn't get pregnant.
The main problem was Kim's polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which she was diagnosed with at just 18 years old.
Among other things, the condition causes irregular periods and ovulation, making it a lot more difficult to conceive.
So, the couple decided to try IVF.
"I saw IVF as a last resort, we had a laparoscopy which was not a success," said Kim.
"I felt like IVF wouldn't work so I didn't want to go through it but we had no other option."
After trying all sorts of treatments, they eventually went to the TFP Simply Fertility in Chelmsford for help.
In their first cycle of IVF, Kim got 19 eggs and considers herself 'extremely lucky' and still has nine eggs frozen.
It was then, 18 years after they started trying, that Kim and James finally conceived their son Harrison.
"It sounds horrible but there was a lot of fear," the mum admitted.
"I was so scared about losing the baby. There was a lot of fear - I was worried all the time.
"It has to be the most stressful thing I have ever done.
"The clinic offered counselling but I am not someone who goes for that.
"It was a straightforward pregnancy apart from the worry."
But, in January 2019, Kim welcomed baby Harrison in Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, weighing 7lb 7oz.
"When Harrison was born, I just can't describe the feeling, it was magical," said Kim.
"I never thought I would fall pregnant again, having him in my arms was a magical moment."
And as if that wasn't enough good news, the couple got even more good news in 2021 when they learned Kim was pregnant with her second IVF baby.
Their second son William is now two years old.
"I would say, if you have the chance to do IVF then you should do it and not hold off," the mum-of-three urged.
"I saw it as a last option, if you have it as an option do it rather than thinking it is your last one.
"The clinic was amazing and really supportive.
"When I took the boys back in the see them they wanted to hold them and see them."
Ali Condon