Case Studies
Mutual support eases IVF pathway
As a 16 year old Sandra Beckwith worked for Harry Wallace, one of the lesser-known figures from the pioneering days of IVF. She wasn't to know that eighteen years later she was going to be one of the many thousands to benefit from his invention.
Harry Wallace designed, developed and manufactured the world’s first commercially available embryo transfer catheter. He worked closely with Steptoe and Edwards, founders of the world’s first IVF centre, Bourn Hall Clinic, to ensure that their needs were factored into the design.
"When I met my husband, Clayton, he told me that he didn’t think he could have children. But I knew about IVF techniques from my work and was sure that something could be done."
The couple now have a four year old daughter as a result of treatment at the former Isis Fertility Centre, now part of the Bourn Hall Clinic group. The baby was conceived as a result of ICSI or intra cytoplasmic sperm injection, where a single sperm is injected into an egg. This technique can be used when only a few healthy sperm are available, to offer a high chance of success.
"The Isis was brilliant. It had a nice, calm and relaxed atmosphere, which is exactly what you need when you are going through IVF treatment, which is very emotional."
"We were concerned about the future of the clinic when the NHS funding arrangements changed in May. The trains are a nightmare around here and it adds to the stress if you have a difficult journey to get treatment."
"It is great news that it is going to be part of Bourn Hall and continue as a local facility which benefits all patients."
"Bourn Hall has the highest reputation – after all that is where it all started!"
Sandra and her husband are starting a patient support group that meets on the first Thursday of every month. The couple benefited from such a support group when they first started treatment but recently found that there was no local group available.
Sandra explains, "Although family and friends try to be supportive they can't really understand what it is like to go through IVF treatment. Some subjects, like male infertility, are almost taboo. We had found the support group helpful when I had my little girl and now want to help others in the same situation."
For more information about the patient support group, email claytonbeckwith@aol.com
