We have another inspirational fertility success story to share with you today from our former patients, Jo and Rob Hope.
 
Jo (36) and her husband Rob both live in Staffordshire and had tried for a baby for 4 years before contacting St. Jude’s Clinic in Wolverhampton for fertility help. In this interview, Jo explains what happened during their fertility journey.
 
When did you first start trying to conceive and how long was it before you decided to seek help through fertility services?
 
Myself and my husband Rob started trying for a baby in 2002, we got married in 2000 and thought the time was right. By 2005, nothing had happened, so we went to see our GP.  He referred us to have blood tests, sperm tests, etc. I had my tubes checked at the Nuffield.  We then went to see Mr Menon and he prescribed Clomid, still nothing worked.  In 2006 we chose to attend St Jude’s to see if they could help.
 
How did infertility affect you in your personal life?
 
We didn’t tell anybody except my family that we were trying for a baby, although when people asked we just joked about having fun without children. However this couldn’t have been further from the truth, a baby was all we could think of. 
 
The trying part wasn’t fun anymore either. My parents and sister were amazing - very supportive, my dad even took us to every single appointment at St Jude’s in Wolverhampton and sat and waited outside.
 
Tell us about the sort of fertility treatments you had - what were they like to experience?
 
We had the IVF treatment where my eggs were removed and fertilised with Rob’s sperm then replaced a few days later.  The injections were hard, and I was an emotional wreck, but having a baby was the most important thing to us and if this could be the answer then there was no way we wouldn’t try.
 
How long did it take for you to get pregnant after starting treatment?
 
The first cycle was a success!
 
How did you feel in that moment you realised you had a positive pregnancy test?
 
The Saturday morning that the test showed positive was amazing. We were so happy, crying with happiness too. We rang our immediate family and let them know.
 
Did you face any challenges or worries during your pregnancy?
 
Every day was a worry, hoping nothing could take our dream away. Our baby didn’t move much either, so we spent hours at the local maternity unit having checks.  Also, there was a chance of the baby having Down’s Syndrome, but we objected to the test to see if this was the case due to the risk to the baby.
 
A baby was all we wanted, perfect or not, we weren’t prepared to risk losing our baby after we’d come so far.  My sister has a hare-lip and my dad was also born with Perthes Disease, so all in all, the pregnancy was a worry, but thankfully she was born and was perfect.
 
Tell us about your baby!
 
Ellie May Hope was born on 12/02/2007, at 22.24 pm weighing 7lbs 9.5oz. The birth wasn’t smooth, she got stuck and had to be delivered via forceps, but at the moment she was placed in my arms I felt complete. Tears of happiness streamed down my face as she looked back at me.
 

 
What’s it like being a mum after the long awaited journey that you had?
 
Being Ellie’s mummy is the best job in the world, I cherish every second we are together and I adore her. She is my best friend and I love her to bits.
 
            
 
What advice could you give to couples going through their own fertility journey based on your experiences?
 
My advice is to support each other, stay strong and remain positive. The journey is hard but the outcome is amazing when your dreams come true.
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The team at St. Jude’s Clinic would like to thank Jo for sharing her and Rob’s fertility story. We’re sure that it will lift and inspire others who are currently trying to start a family.

 If you’d like to talk to someone about our fertility services and how we could help you in your own fertility journey, please get in touch by calling 01902 620831.