POSITIVE BIRTH - IVF Journey
This gorgeous family have been in class with us for a few months now. They are a perfect example of the fact that you never know someone else's journey. You never know what someone has been through to get to where they are today. Always be kind!
"I thought I’d share my birth story as my journey to motherhood was very unique.
I have a congenital myopathy (muscle wasting disease) and an allergy to general anaesthetic for which I am under the care of the neurology team at St George’s hospital London.
Oliver is a PGT-M (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic disorders) baby. This had to go to a genetic panel in London for ethical approval ( as do all genetic IVF treatments) this was approved by the panel and so our journey began.
We were sent to a clinic in central London for our treatment and the whole process took just over a year before implantation of our embryo was undertaken. Out of 26 eggs collected 12 were fertilised and only 4 were genetically clear of not only my genetic conditions but all known genetic conditions.
The first 12 weeks of my pregnancy was under the clinic in central London and we were then transferred to the antenatal clinic at St George’s so that the neurologists could liaise with the antenatal team to ensure a safe pregnancy for both Oliver and I.
Although the journey to London for every midwife and consultant appointment was hard I couldn’t have had better care both from the clinic and St George’s.
Oliver was due at the beginning of November but for safety reasons a scheduled c section was planned for Halloween. Oliver decided he did not want to wait this long and at 36+6 my waters broke. As you can imagine driving to London (with all the A3 closures) at 11pm in a horrendous storm was interesting to say the least).
I was admitted but told that I would be monitored for now as only life or death C-sections take place during the night as there is less staff around if an emergency occurred. I was given medication the help with the pain and monitored to ensure my labour didn’t progress to quickly (as this was considered unsafe due to my muscle disease and the complications full labour could cause my muscles). By 6.30 am I was being prepped for my C-section and asked what music I wanted to listen to while Oliver was being born.
The C-section was beautiful! Considering it was still considered an emergency, staff took great care of us! Everything was calm and explained well at every step. Oliver was born on the 17th October on a hunters super moon.
We were very lucky to be given a private room where my husband and I were able to bond with Oliver and recover from the adrenaline of his sudden appearance, in our own little bubble.
Although a lot of excitement is taken out of an IVF pregnancy with all the procedures and appointments and of course injections and the strain this causes on many marriages (including my own). I wouldn’t change any of it for the beautiful boy we now get to raise.
Do let me know if you want anymore information about my journey, my husband and I are very open about the whole thing as it helped us to deal with each stage by talking to people but also to stop the when are you having children questions!"
