Today (25 July) marks World IVF Day and celebrates the birthday of the first IVF baby, Louise Brown, who was born in Greater Manchester in 1978.
The birth of Louise Brown was made possible thanks to the pioneering efforts of Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe, and Jean Purdy. Together, they paved the way for over 8 million IVF babies across the world.
Closer to home, Newcastle midwife Ella-Joy Hunton was conceived by IVF 25 years ago. This year, she started working as a midwife, a field which has fascinated her since she was a child.
Jessie-May and Robert Perry spent years wondering if they’d ever be able to have children.
With the help of specialist fertility treatment at the Newcastle Fertility Centre, not once, but three times. They now have three children – Flora, and twins Kit and Mabel – all conceived thanks to IVF.
“We took her in to meet Lynn, the embryologist – imagine that being your job and sometimes you get to meet the babies that you make.”
Jessie-May Perry
Lindsey Power and partner Laura started their journey with the fertility centre in 2019. The pair had daughter Isla who was born in 2021, and describe being “in a state of shock” when they discovered Lindsey was pregnant with triplets a year later.
“Whenever we go past the Centre for Life, I look at my girls and say, ‘that’s where you were made’. I’m so proud of that fact and I want them to be too.”
Lindsey Power
Over 6,000 babies born
Since opening 25 years ago, more than 6,000 babies have been born with the help of the Newcastle Fertility Centre.
Just recently, our fertility centre announced the birth of eight babies born using a ground-breaking IVF technique to reduce transmission of mitochondrial DNA disease, thanks to research led by Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University.
Dr Louise Hyslop is a consultant embryologist at the Newcastle Fertility Centre, said:
“I am so proud of the Newcastle Fertility Centre team, whose hard work and dedication has helped patients to become parents.
“We are incredibly grateful to those who have kindly donated their eggs, which has ultimately helped families to overcome infertility.”
Frequently asked questions about IVF
What can I expect from my first appointment?
The initial appointment is a getting to know each other appointment. We take pride in providing personalised care for our patients and hence this appointment is very important for us to know you. If you are having treatment with a partner, you should both attend this appointment. In this appointment we listen to your concerns and ask a detailed medical history. We do/ request initial investigations and arrange a follow up appointment to discuss the results and plan your care.
Which investigations are done routinely?
Women intending to become pregnant will need a blood test and an internal (vaginal) ultrasound scan. They may also need swabs and an X-ray test to check their fallopian tubes. Men will need a semen analysis. Some men will also need a blood test.
What happens in the follow up appointment?
In the follow up appointment, the results of the investigations done will be discussed and plan for treatment or further management will be made.
What is ovulation induction?
This is a treatment used in women who are not having regular ovulation. The treatment aims to help the women ovulate regularly. This can be achieved by taking either oral or injectable medications.
What are the risks of ovulation induction?
Ovulations induction is normally a straightforward treatment but like any other treatments it has risks and the most common risks are the risk of multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation. Depending on the medicine used, you can experience the drug related side effects also such as stomach upset, vomiting, flushing and breast discomfort.
What is IVF?
IVF or in vitro fertilisation is a procedure in which egg and sperm are mixed to create embryos. These embryos will be transferred to the womb using a simple procedure called embryo transfer.
What is ICSI?
ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is a procedure used to help couples with male factor infertility. During the insemination procedure (as part of the IVF cycle) a single sperm is injected directly into the egg to help create an embryo.
How long is the IVF process from start to finish?
On an average, depending on the treatment protocol used, it can take from 4 weeks to 7 weeks.
What are the side effects of IVF?
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a rare but dangerous complication of IVF which happens due to excessive stimulation of the ovaries. Other risks are risk of multiple pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, side effects of medications used and slightly increased risk of congenital anomalies.
How long does egg collection take?
It can take on an average between 15 – 30 minutes depending on the number of eggs to collect.
Is egg collection painful?
You will be given a strong painkiller and a medication to make you sleepy. The majority of women will find the procedure very tolerable.
How long does embryo transfer take?
It is a short procedure and takes on an average about 15 minutes.
When can I know I am pregnant after embryo transfer?
We advise you to take a urine pregnancy test nine days after the embryo transfer.
Can I continue to take progesterone pessaries once I am pregnant after IVF?
After the egg collection, progesterone pessaries are given to support the lining of the womb until a pregnancy test. Studies have not shown any significant difference in live birth rate between patients who discontinued progesterone support at the time of pregnancy test versus those who continued beyond that.
When will be the first pregnancy scan?
If you have a positive urine pregnancy test, the first pregnancy scan is done at 7 weeks of pregnancy.
How many cycles of treatment will I get funded under the NHS?
NHS funding criteria is set by local commissioning groups. If you are under 40 at the time of starting treatment and meet the eligibility criteria for NHS funded treatment, you will get up to three cycles of IVF/ICSI treatment funded. If you are aged 40-42 at the time of starting treatment and meet the eligibility criteria for NHS funded treatment, you will get one cycle of IVF/ICSI treatment funded.
What are the fertility treatment options for single women?
The main fertility treatment undertaken by single women is IUI using donor sperm. This is currently provided on a self-funded basis. Our clinic has locally recruited sperm donors, or you can buy donor sperm from other clinics and import it to our clinic. If you have an underlying fertility problem or fail to become pregnant after six cycles of IUI treatment you may become eligible for NHS funded IVF.
What are the fertility treatment options for same sex female couples?
The main fertility treatment undertaken by same sex female couples is IUI using donor sperm. This is currently provided on a self-funded basis. Our clinic has locally recruited sperm donors, or you can buy donor sperm from other clinics and import it to our clinic. If you have an underlying fertility problem or fail to become pregnant after six cycles of IUI treatment you may become eligible for NHS funded IVF..
What are the fertility preservation options for individuals with gender dysphoria?
Fertility preservation for individuals with gender dysphoria is provided under the NHS. For transgender women sperm can be stored and for transgender man, eggs can be frozen as part of preserving fertility prior to starting hormones.
Does the fertility centre provide IVF treatment for women with medical conditions?
We are a tertiary NHS unit, and we have the facility to support assisted conception in women with high-risk medical conditions if it is deemed safe by the specialist medical team looking after them.
