Sophie, 32, a nursery practitioner, and Hayley, 31, a phlebotomist, from Oxford, have shared their heartwarming journey of IVF success following the birth of their baby. As a same-sex couple, they faced the challenge of not being eligible for NHS-funded fertility treatment, which is a common obstacle for many same-sex couples looking to start a family.
The couple turned to abc IVF for help with their dream of becoming parents. Sophie explained, “Because we are a same-sex couple, we needed help starting our family. We knew we wanted to do reciprocal IVF, also known as shared motherhood, where one partner donates the eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy.”
Reciprocal IVF was their chosen path, and Sophie and Hayley decided to begin their fertility journey at abc IVF without exploring other clinics. Despite initial nerves about the process, they were reassured by the caring and supportive staff at the clinic.
“We were a bit nervous to begin with. But the team at the abc IVF Oxford Clinic were absolutely amazing,” Sophie shared. “Our fertility nurse took things really slow with us. She was patient and very informative, and when we had the initial scans, she was very gentle. She was just amazing, really.”
Hayley began medication after a consultation, and the couple visited the clinic regularly for scans, sometimes three times a week, throughout the process. Sophie recalled, “The communication was second to none, really. After taking the medication, Hayley had her egg retrieval, and between that, we were in for scans every other day.”
Their journey included managing their expectations, but Sophie became pregnant on their very first IVF transfer, which was an unexpected joy for the couple. “We were shocked, to be honest. Before we started the IVF treatment, we had a lot of people in our lives saying, ‘Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work the first time.’ IVF is a tricky thing, and it doesn’t always happen as quickly as you want it to. We were incredibly lucky that it did actually happen the first time, first transfer.”
Sophie had a smooth pregnancy, and the couple is now enjoying their new life as parents, which they describe as “very busy, but amazing.”
Sophie and Hayley have also shared some valuable advice for other same-sex couples starting their IVF journey. “Write down any questions that you have that pop into your head immediately,” Sophie recommended. “Have a notebook to write down all the questions because sometimes when you get there, you’re so overwhelmed that you just forget everything. Ask all the questions you have, no question is too small, and just have a good support network. Make sure you feel comfortable at the clinic, and if you don’t, then you need to choose a different one.”
Their story highlights the importance of seeking the right support and having the patience and perseverance to navigate the challenges of IVF.
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