HE Patient stories Archive - Herts & Essex Fertility Centre https://hertsandessexfertility.com World class fertility centre. Outstanding success rates. Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:33:41 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.11 I couldn’t shake that feeling of ‘what if’ https://hertsandessexfertility.com/patientstory/i-couldnt-shake-that-feeling-of-what-if/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:33:41 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?post_type=patientstory&p=6522 Our fertility journey began in 2022 when I found out that I had an extremely low ovarian reserve and AMH levels. Before going to the clinic, I went to my ...

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]]> Our fertility journey began in 2022 when I found out that I had an extremely low ovarian reserve and AMH levels. Before going to the clinic, I went to my GP about my concerns and they referred me for an internal scan, but didn’t check my fertility levels. I then contacted the clinic and booked in a fertility review as I was sure something wasn’t right. The results showed I had the fertility levels of someone in their mid 40s (I was 34 at the time) and potentially was heading towards menopause.  We tried to conceive naturally for the best part of a year and had no success so I went back to the clinic again in 2023. Our first round of IVF (PICSI) was a mix of highs and lows, but despite only 2 eggs being collected one fertilised, was transferred and I fell pregnant. Sadly though the pregnancy wasn’t meant to be and I miscarried just before reaching 12 weeks.  Determined, I went back to the clinic and we had a further two rounds in May and August of 2024. Sadly both rounds failed despite reaching transfer both times. After lots of heartache we decided that Jan 2025 would be our final go, one last shot. This ended up being our least successful round and we didn’t even reach fertilisation. I knew it was time to accept it wouldn’t happen and I had to open my mind to other options. We landed on egg donation being the right way forward so I came back to the clinic for some further checks and it was then, during an internal scan I was told I had 10 follicles and suddenly my right ovary contained follicles after none being present for the previous three rounds.  All of this felt like a sign and I couldn’t shake that feeling of ‘what if’ so we undertook a fifth (and this time) final round. It felt like a dream as everything went better than any other round and unbelievably we had two embryos to transfer.  Fast forward to December 2025 and our beautiful, miracle twins were born at 35 weeks on 23rd December. One of our family members said he’d dreamed we would have twins for Christmas and lo and behold it happened!  The staff at the clinic are amazing, you feel safe the moment you step inside and they are there with you on the emotional rollercoaster that is IVF. I cannot thank the clinic and all of the team enough for all their time, patience and diligence, we would never have had our miracle twins without them. ]]> It was hard to accept we needed IVF https://hertsandessexfertility.com/patientstory/it-was-hard-to-accept-we-needed-ivf/ Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:42:54 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?post_type=patientstory&p=6498 It was  hard decision for us to accept we needed IVF but from our very first meeting we were put at ease and filled with confidence we had made the ...

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It was  hard decision for us to accept we needed IVF but from our very first meeting we were put at ease and filled with confidence we had made the right decision. We felt cared for and supported at every stage and never did we feel like we were just another patient.

]]> Herts & Essex never gave up hope so neither did I https://hertsandessexfertility.com/patientstory/you-never-gave-up-hope-so-neither-did-i/ Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:41:50 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?post_type=patientstory&p=6361 I’m a solo mum and the journey was long and emotional but I have my triple rainbow baby now! Herts & Essex never gave up hope so neither did I.

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]]> As a same sex couple, we felt relaxed and at home https://hertsandessexfertility.com/patientstory/as-a-same-sex-couple-we-felt-relaxed-and-at-home/ Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:28:45 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?post_type=patientstory&p=5753 Having started our journey to parenthood at a London Clinic and 3 unsuccessful IUI attempts later, we came across Herts & Essex Fertility Centre online and knew it was time ...

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]]> Having started our journey to parenthood at a London Clinic and 3 unsuccessful IUI attempts later, we came across Herts & Essex Fertility Centre online and knew it was time to make the switch. We felt unhappy with the service we’d received and more like a number, rather than people desperate to be parents.  From the very first phone call enquiry we made, everything changed. The staff were so lovely, so friendly and kind and understood us. As a same sex couple, we felt relaxed and at home visiting the clinic and meeting everyone, who made our experience so warm and personal. Within a couple of visits, we were on first name terms and you just felt like everyone genuinely cared and it’s more than just a job. As we started to make our way through tests and paperwork, Herts & Essex were with us every step of the way, silently holding our hand and encouraging us.  In November 2024, we got that phone call to tell us all our wishes had come true, and that nearly 2 years after our journey began, we got to hear the words “you’re pregnant”.  Going for our first scan and seeing our little baby on that screen was something we will never forget, and staff giving us both hugs was lovely!  In July this year we finally met our little baby girl and became Mummies. We cannot thank the clinic and the whole team enough for their care, precision, communication and compassion throughout. We look forward to attending our first summer party next year!  Samantha & Sarah ]]> One week old Melissa https://hertsandessexfertility.com/patientstory/one-week-old-melissa/ Mon, 27 Oct 2025 17:05:34 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?post_type=patientstory&p=6320 We feel incredibly grateful to have been under the care of such a compassionate and dedicated team throughout our journey. Our beautiful baby girl, Melissa, is here thanks to all ...

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]]> Not only did we become parents but also expanded our family  https://hertsandessexfertility.com/patientstory/not-only-did-we-become-parents-but-also-expanded-our-family/ Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:45:31 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?post_type=patientstory&p=6237 My husband, son and I would like to introduce you to our daughter born in August 2025 and weighing 7.8lb. After 4 rounds of IVF we were lucky enough to ...

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My husband, son and I would like to introduce you to our daughter born in August 2025 and weighing 7.8lb.

]]> The only regret – wish we’d done it sooner! https://hertsandessexfertility.com/patientstory/the-only-regret-wish-wed-done-it-sooner/ Mon, 08 Sep 2025 08:03:59 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?post_type=patientstory&p=6224 Fertility was never something we thought we’d struggle with. Like many couples, we dreamed of starting a family, assuming it would happen naturally. But month after month turned into years ...

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]]> You are an important part of Osian’s life https://hertsandessexfertility.com/patientstory/you-are-an-important-part-of-osians-life/ Fri, 23 May 2025 10:40:40 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?post_type=patientstory&p=6096 Herts & Essex have been with us every step of the way on our difficult fertility journey. After 7 months of trying to conceive naturally, we underwent tests to check ...

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Herts & Essex have been with us every step of the way on our difficult fertility journey.

After 7 months of trying to conceive naturally, we underwent tests to check for any underlying problems. Having been given the all clear, we were advised to try a round of IVF if we were still struggling after a year. Just as we reached that point, we had a positive pregnancy test and needless to say we were relieved and so happy!
Soon after, we had some concerns and a scan many weeks later sadly confirmed the pregnancy was ectopic. Our world fell apart that day. We didn't know anything about it and were scared, but we received the highest level of care and empathy from all staff at the clinic.
After recovering from surgery and a short period of trying naturally, we decided to proceed with IVF treatment.
After an abandoned cycle, we restarted and were very lucky to become pregnant on the next cycle. It was an anxious pregnancy with some scares and complications in the early days but again, the clinic took such good care of us.
We've had our lowest and highest moments behind those doors and we can never be grateful enough to the staff who supported us and got us through each step.
]]> The prize was better than we ever dreamed of https://hertsandessexfertility.com/patientstory/the-prize-was-better-than-we-ever-dreamed-of/ Tue, 20 May 2025 09:44:07 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?post_type=patientstory&p=6093 We started treatment and egg sharing in 2020 and the first round was successful and we had Oliver in July 2021. Then we decided we would like another child, and ...

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We started treatment and egg sharing in 2020 and the first round was successful and we had Oliver in July 2021. Then we decided we would like another child, and it turned out to be more difficult. I had a few rounds to try to freeze some eggs but we only got one egg in the end and when it was implanted later in summer 2022 it didn’t take off. We thought that was it but after discussion with our families we decided to have one last go, a fresh round. It was successful and Isobel was born in July 2023.

We are grateful for all the staff in the clinic, everyone was extremely supportive and understanding throughout, and even when i was getting frustrated. The nurses, doctors, receptionist, healthcare assistants, lab staff, embryologists… everyone. Both of us being nurses we have seen staff of all sorts, seems like the kind ones have found their way to Herts & Essex.
]]> “You’re pregnant” https://hertsandessexfertility.com/patientstory/youre-pregnant/ Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:36:36 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?post_type=patientstory&p=5978 Our journey with the Herts & Essex Fertility Centre started in March 2021 when we attended their open evening. Although we decided to continue exploring and travelling the world before ...

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]]> Our journey with the Herts & Essex Fertility Centre started in March 2021 when we attended their open evening. Although we decided to continue exploring and travelling the world before starting a family, we always knew we’d return to Herts & Essex to grow our family as a result of the information and care we received during this really early stage. Their responsive, helpful, caring and informative approach meant we knew they were the clinic for us. 

 

We returned to the clinic in the summer of 2023 to begin our journey. At this time I had been diagnosed with polyps and the clinic was amazing in giving advice around this before we started treatment. After the polyps were resolved, we returned for our first round of reciprocal IVF in October 2023. With this, we also donated eggs. Caroline ensured the process was clearly explained to us and was welcoming of our detailed letter to the recipients of those eggs. Whilst this round of IVF resulted in a fresh embryo transfer, unfortunately this did not result in a pregnancy. We were absolutely gutted by this outcome but the clinic was patient and supportive in explaining our options moving forward. 

 

Fast forward to January 2024 and we were ready to try again. The doctors heard our views for an increase in medication and so our second egg collection resulted in two precious embryos. Our first transfer resulted in a positive pregnancy test and the call from Katie to confirm this was one of the best days of our lives. Sadly this pregnancy resulted in a missed miscarriage which we came to know at our 7-week viability scan. The support we received from the clinic, particularly Katie and Tracey, made the worst day of our lives just that little bit more bearable. Katie and Tracey spent as much time with us as we needed that day, and in the days that followed, comforting us and validating our feelings. We will be forever grateful for the support provided to us to help us navigate the darkest days of our lives. The staff at the clinic didn’t solely offer medical care but also offered invaluable emotional support.

 

In May 2024 we were ready to try again with a frozen transfer of our last remaining embryo. We will never forget Tracey’s words as she reminded us we weren’t to give up. Her confidence gave us hope and we felt all the staff were “rooting” for us. 

 

We transferred our last embryo in May 2024 and in June 2024 we heard the words “you’re pregnant” once more. We were absolutely thrilled but naturally nervous given our previous experiences. Over the next few weeks we experienced multiple bleeds but each time the staff at the clinic were available for advice, emotional support and ensured to offer us same-day appointments for scans when needed. 

 

Our little boy was born in February 2025 and we will forever be grateful to all the staff at Herts & Essex Fertility Centre for helping us create our rainbow. We are particularly grateful to David who was so patient during each collection/transfer (even if he is an Arsenal fan!), Sylwia who always made herself available to take my blood from my notoriously small veins (!), Charlotte who looked after all three of our embryos until they were ready for transfer and to Tracey and Katie, who I’m not sure we’d have gotten through this journey without. 

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