A mum who spent 10 years trying to conceive has fallen pregnant again after welcoming her twins nearly two years ago.
Aliya Rashid-Taylor, 39, from London, suffered a life-threatening bleed during a caesarean section - explaining she almost died bringing her twins into the world - but is now pregnant again with another miracle baby.
Aliya lost eight litres of blood following the birth of twins Ilyana and Haikal, now 20-months-old, with doting husband Sam by her side.
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“Sam and I lead a very dramatic life," said Aliya.
“We don’t do things in half measures! After 10 years trying to conceive, I had an amazing pregnancy and loved every second.
“But things took a turn for the worst and I was on death's door following the birth of my twins. I had a postpartum haemorrhage and was bleeding out.”
Aliya is currently 14 weeks pregnant with another miracle baby from the same batch of embryos created with the help of an egg donor in 2019.
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“During the pregnancy, I didn’t think twice about genetics," said Aliya.
“I wasn’t fazed that the embryos were made through the help of an anonymous egg donor. I went through so much loss and suffering, it didn’t matter that they weren’t biologically mine
“I made them in my body and they only exist because of me. However, I began to worry after everything that went on. But as soon as they were put on my chest, I instantly felt love.”
When Aliya was told she had a low egg reserve at the age of 27, the couple embarked upon IVF, which cost £35,000 altogether.
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They had three failed rounds before opting for an egg donor, which Aliya estimates cost an extra £15,000 in expenses and food supplements.
She said: “I was heartbroken when I was told my egg reserve was the same as a woman in her 40s. It was instantly a race against time so we didn’t want to wait for the next NHS free round of IVF.
“I was also told I have an under-active thyroid. We used credit cards to pay for most of the treatment.
“I had two private cycles before calling it quits as I didn’t want to keep putting my body through it.
“It was also taking its toll on my mental health. We then spent four years as vegetarians in a bid to optimise fertility.
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“We hoped to get pregnant naturally as I was taking lots of vitamins and eating Cordyceps Mushrooms.
“They are known for increasing progesterone in women and testosterone in men.”
In 2018, the couple decided to give IVF another go but with an egg donor and by April 2019, Aliya was pregnant with twins.
"I wanted two inserted as I was older and always dreamed of a big family. It was the best day of my life seeing two heartbeats at the four-week scan.”
Aliya added: “The twins are awesome - they look after each other. I am so lucky as I am having quite an easy time.
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“I’d love to give life to every single one of the embryos. We will most likely donate them to other families in need.”
Congratulations to Aliya and Sam!
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