Case Studies
Leo Roberts (2004)
JANE Roberts vividly remembers the day a doctor told her partner he might never be a father.
"It was a complete and utter shock," she said.
"We suddenly realised that having a family was not going to be that easy.
"Our whole outlook had to change."
Tests showed Peter had a low sperm count which was preventing them from conceiving.
Doctors advised them that their chances of having children were slim and that their only hope was in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
"It was a very big blow," said Jane.
"We were both devastated.
Then the couple heard of a new technique called ICSI which was being pioneered in the early 1990s. In ICSI, one sperm is injected directly into one egg to fertilise it which is helpful for men with low sperm counts as it ensures the sperm reaches the egg directly.
Jane, who was in her early forties at this stage, became pregnant first time.
For the first few weeks everything seemed to be going well.
But then, just days before the five-week scan, Jane had a huge bleed.
"It was completely devastating," said Jane. "I was in a complete state of shock."
But although nurses at Bourn Hall did not get her hopes up, they encouraged her to go ahead with the scan.
It showed she had probably had twins, but miscarried one of the embryos.
The other was safe and doing well.
Jane gave birth to the couple's son Leo, who is now three and a half.
"It was fantastic," said Jane. "We had finally done it.
"It doesn't wipe away the incredible pain you go through.
"You never realise how long your IVF journey can be until you get to the end.
"But we feel incredibly lucky to have two children."
