Case Studies
BABY OLIVIA IS TESTAMENT TO MOTHER WHO WOULDN’T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER
When Tracy Griffin from Peterborough holds baby daughter Olivia in her arms she is only too aware that she might not have become pregnant at all were it not for her own dogged determination.
The couple knew that they might face challenges when they tried to start a family because Paul had been told after he had an operation that it might have affected his fertility. Armed with this knowledge they sought advice from Paul"s GP after they had been trying for a year to establish whether they might need help.
"The doctor was quite dismissive," reveals Tracy. "And basically told us that our only chance of having a family would either be with the help of a sperm donor or by going down the adoption route. I just didn"t believe him but we were getting married so I threw my energy into planning the wedding."
After the couple got married Tracy then persuaded her new husband to visit her own GP who was a lot more helpful and sent them for tests. The tests all came back with the good news that although the couple had not managed to conceive, Paul was not infertile, so the couple could be referred to Bourn Hall for treatment without the need for a sperm donor.
The next hurdle Tracy and Paul faced was that at the time they were only NHS-funded for one round of treatment so were acutely aware they only had one shot at a successful pregnancy.
"I began the treatment just before Christmas 2008 and was hopeful that 2009 might be a good year for us," explains Tracy. "But then our hopes were dashed when the first cycle failed. This might have signalled the end of our IVF journey but then the funding system in this region changed and we found out that we were eligible for more NHS treatment."
To the couple"s delight, their second round of treatment in May 2009 was successful and nine months later their daughter Olivia was born.
Tracy, aged 35, a Field Support Advisor with an electronic household goods manufacturer, says:
"I am blissfully happy being a mum and am just so glad that we remained hopeful and didn"t give up."
Paul, aged 40, an Industrial Engraver, adds:
"We found our experience at Bourn Hall a very positive one. We were treated wonderfully and wouldn"t have wanted to go anywhere else for treatment. I would highly recommend it to anyone".
