Patient stories

Anna's story

“It’s been a hell of a journey to get to where we are now.”

After Anna and her husband’s third ICSI treatment, Anna became pregnant with twins. Her pregnancy had several complications, including Braxton Hicks contractions, an infection and dramatic swelling of her legs. Anna was induced in her 37th week and although the first twin was born without incident, twin 2’s entrance into the world was much more traumatic. Read Anna's story>>

Beth's story

Beth and her husband have been through four attempts at IVF and are now undergoing their fifth. They have been disappointed by the lack of information about the risks of multiple pregnancy. Following their own research, they have decided that single blastocyst transfer is the way forward for them. Read Beth's story>>

Claire's story

After IVF and a single embryo transfer, Claire found that she was pregnant with twins! Having had a successful singleton pregnancy previously, Claire is able to compare the two experiences. Read Claire's story>>

Helen's story

Helen is a surrogate mother. Due to wanting to ensure the intended parents got their longed-for child, she had double blastocyst transfer. She carried the twins for 37 weeks, but many of the less pleasant aspects of pregnancy such as acid reflux and high blood pressure, started much earlier than usual and the delivery was by emergency C-section. Read Helen's story>>

Jane's story

Jane and her partner had a history of unsuccessful artificial insemination, so eventually tried IVF, followed by a double embryo transfer. They were thrilled to find they were expecting twins. Sadly, after a fairly trouble-free pregnancy, the twins were born prematurely, resulting in a devastating loss. Read Jane's story>>

 Jennifer's story

“Since one baby seemed an impossible dream, it never occurred to either of us that we might have twins.”

After many delays and frustrations in actually starting fertility treatment, Jennifer and her husband had 2 unsuccessful attempts at IUI before she became pregnant with twins after IVF.

Although the pregnancy was uneventful, birth was by C-section and the aftercare Jennifer received left her stressed and exhausted. She says that twins are undoubtedly hard work but is thankful for her healthy son and daughter. Read Jennifer's story>>

 Julia's story

“I was unprepared for the problems specific to premature babies – they are hard to feed and difficult to look after…”

Due to fertility problems, Julia had ICSI followed by a double embryo transfer. She was initially anxious to find herself pregnant with twins as she had assumed that her age and fertility issues had reduced her chances of multiple pregnancy.

After an emergency C-section at 34 weeks, the twins were born. The first weeks weren’t easy, due to the difficulties of caring for and bonding with such tiny, premature babies, but nothing prepared Julia for the shock of losing her son. Read Julia's story>>

Kirsty's story

“My husband and I have already decided to opt for SET as we would live each day in fear of a miscarriage if we were to have twins or triplets again.”

After 5 unsuccessful attempts at IUI, Kirsty and her husband had their first IVF treatment followed by double embryo transfer. They were very excited, although rather worried, when they discovered they were expecting triplets. Sadly, none survived beyond the 16^th week. Read Kirsty's story>> 

Linda's story

“The financial side of having triplets is crippling… but the reward is three times greater.”

Linda found that she was pregnant with triplets after her second stimulated IUI treatment. After a pregnancy in which she suffered from symphysis pubis dysfunction, extreme discomfort and insomnia, she had a C-section at 33 weeks. She now has three healthy daughters but the practical and financial impact is tough! Read Linda's story>>

Lucy's story

“Everything seems to take twice as long as it did before (but) the girls are so beautiful and I count my blessings every morning.”

After ICSI and a double blastocyst transfer, Lucy’s twin pregnancy was a positive experience and she only had health problems in the final stages. The weeks that followed the birth were very hard work and the twins are an undoubted strain on the finances, but she says the positives far outweigh the negatives.Read Lucy's story >> 

Mary's story

“If we ever go down the IVF route again…I think I would only have one embryo transferred as we now know about the risks and have experienced the 9 months of worry.”

During her second IVF treatment, Mary and her husband decided to have two embryos transferred. It was only after Mary was pregnant with twins and started doing her own research that she realised the risks involved in a multiple pregnancy.

Although she was lucky enough to have two healthy babies, her daughter remains small. As Mary now appreciates the risks involves, she feels she would have only one embryo transferred if there is ever a next time. Read Mary's story >>

Nikki's story

As a long term fertility patient, I thought I knew everything about infertility after ten years and fifteen failed attempts at Intra Uterine Insemination  (IUI), In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and Frozen Embryo Transfer.

I have used mine, my husband’s and just about everyone else in the world’s gametes and I certainly knew about despair and heartache. Read Nikki's story >>

Rachel's story 

“People planning fertility treatment may read this and think, “It’ll never happen to me.” But I never thought I would need treatment, and I certainly never imagined that one day I would take time out every weekend to tend my son’s grave.”

After a discouraging response to her interest in single embryo transfer, Rachel had a double embryo transfer and became pregnant with twins. Her pregnancy was complicated and traumatic, and she struggled to find explanations for her difficulties and to have her concerns recognised, even during a long hospital stay. Born at 30 weeks, her tiny, very premature twins were vulnerable to infections and a tragic loss was to follow. Read Rachel's story>>

Sarah's story

“If my story makes just one couple think about eSET then it has been worthwhile.”

During fertility treatment, Sarah suffered from OHSS. Despite this, she had a double blastocyst transfer and became pregnant with twins. After a traumatic pregnancy, the twins were born during the 23rd week. However, their story was to have a tragic outcome. Read Sarah's story>>

Victoria's story

"Many couples who have IVF want as many embryos put back as possible, as I did, and the risk of twins can be seen as a positive for a ready made family. Whilst for many this is the case, multiple birth can also bring heartache and tragedy."

Read Victoria's story>>