Kerry's Story

Hi, I am Kerry. My story starts when I first met my husband in 2001. Although I say “first met,” I had actually known him for several years and even worked with him, but never really took notice in that way. When we did eventually become friends it was a whirlwind romance; we soon realised we had fallen for each other and started dating. I was 21 years old and Paul, 23.

In June 2002 we purchased our first house together and were planning our wedding [[1]]. We talked a lot about starting a family, but I always knew something was wrong with me as my cycles were very hit and miss.So we went to our GP and a referral was sent to the Sub Fertility Clinic. I was diagnosed with PCOS and prescribed Metformin and Clomid, but after 18 months and a lot of tests we were finally told we needed IVF. The forms were filled out and the waiting began with yet more tests for both of us.

In the time we were waiting it really hit home that I couldn’t give Paul the one most natural thing a women can do (conceive). I began to feel very low in myself and started to push Paul away. Paul soon reassured me and we built up our hopes of it working together.

In 2006, after even more tests and setbacks, we started our first cycle of IVF. It was a textbook cycle, which worked first time and we were so happy that our dreams had been answeredhttp//www.wikimum.co.uk/index.php?title=File:Kerry_27_wks_with_jake.jpg. The pregnancy went well until 34 weeks when I went into sudden onset labour, but gave birth to a very healthy baby boy. We were kept in hospital for a week before being able to bring him home [[2]].

Over the next couple of years we enjoyed our son together and loved being parents. However, it was very hard for me as I was diagnosed with PND when he was 7 months old and without any real support from anyone I was left to get on with it. Even so, our son hit all his milestones on time and was a real bundle of joy, always smiling and just a pleasure to be around.

After a failed IVF in 2009 we tried again the following year and for a second time we were blessed with a healthy baby, this time a daughter, born at 39 weeks gestation. Our life is now complete with two beautiful and loving children and a very happy marriage.

During our last two cycles I did an egg share, where I donated half my retrieved eggs. This made me feel I was giving something back to the miracle of ivf and able to give another family the chance of feeling that incredible love and bond you have with your children. I will one day find out if it worked for them (I can find out the sex and year born of any children from my donation), but as it stands I just don’t feel ready to know. I think I am scared of discovering it hasn’t worked for them and feeling that I let them down, so for now I am keeping my head stuck firmly in the sand.

All that was the past and it feels a million years ago, so what is happening right now? Well, I have a two year old girl who is stubborn and independent (just like her mother). She has just passed her two year checks with flying colours, apart from her weight. She is such a little dot , just as I was when a child, although I soon caught up! Our son is a typical six year old boy, full of energy and attitude. He is doing really well at school and enjoys it, thank goodness, because I need a break daily from his constant Wobble Gob! Believe me, he can talk for Britain. Life is good for us right now. We enjoy spending our free time at the seaside or just doing family things together. Spending time together as a family is very important to us, but so is adult time! So when we get a chance, Paul and I like to go to bingo or just out for a drive.

Thank you for reading my story and if there is anything you think my experience may make me able to offer advice or help with, then please just ask. Some of the areas I have touched on, since being a mum, are: Premature birth, SCBU, PND, PCOS, Infertility, Paediatric diet ions, Egg Share and behavioural problems. And lots more that come as standard with kids and husbands, working and life.

Thanks again and all the best xxx Kerry