IVF treatment and a malaria pill helped Northumberland mum's dream come true as she gave birth to baby boy
A malaria drug that costs just 25p has helped Laura Burnage have the baby she has waited more than 20 years for.
Holding her nine-week-old close, the new mum today told of his miracle arrival, two decades after she suffered her first miscarriage.
In the years that followed, Laura underwent the heartache of losing five babies but refused to give up hope that one day her longed-for child would arrive.
And that successful arrival is down to a 25p malaria tablet that enabled her to carry a baby full-term for the first time.
Laura, 46, said: “I still can’t believe he’s here. I just keep looking at him. I can’t take my eyes off him.
Children’s mental health nurse Laura suffered her first miscarriage when she was just 26 and married to her first husband.
That was followed by another two years later – and a third when she was 37.
Seven years later, after starting a relationship with self-employed builder Simon Burnage, 51, the couple began trying for a baby.
However, since Simon had already undergone a vasectomy, they went to a fertility clinic for help.
The pair, who live near Morpeth, Northumberland, visited Care Fertility in Manchester and had a first course of IVF, although Laura did not become pregnant.
She recalled: “That was devastating. I’d pinned all my hopes on the treatment. When it didn’t work it was heartbreaking.”
As they prepared to start their second course, scans revealed a blockage in one of Laura’s fallopian tubes, which deliver eggs from the ovaries. She had to undergo surgery to have both tubes removed, delaying IVF by six months.
After finally going ahead, the treatment proved a success but, sadly, just seven weeks into her pregnancy, Simon and Laura lost their baby. A third attempt in May last year again resulted in pregnancy but the couple lost the baby straight away.
Laura said: “Even though this was all happening, I never gave up. To be honest, I didn’t think it would happen, but I still clung to some hope.”
Laura underwent more tests in June last year and it was discovered she had a genetic mutation and a raised level of natural killer cells in her body. Known as NK cells, they are a key part of the immune system, but it turned out they were attacking the pregnancy, seeing the foetus as a foreign body.
In the hopes of stopping future attacks, Laura was prescribed an anti-malarial drug, which helps lower the immune system response.
And after a fourth course of IVF in September, the couple were told they were expecting again.
Baby Miles was delivered at eight months by caesarian in May, weighing a healthy 7lb 7oz.
Laura said: “I was so anxious all the way through the pregnancy that he was not going to make it.
“Now he is here, I just think it is incredible. Medical science has come so far. If this was 30 years ago, I would still be childless.
“I keep looking at him and thinking to myself “is he really here?”.
“I only hope our story helps other couples who may be going through something similar.”
The treatment has cost the couple more than £30,000, but it is money well spent according to the couple who are now enjoying life with Miles, who turns nine weeks old on Tuesday.
Mr Rashmi Patel, consultant in Reproductive Medicine at Care Fertility in Manchester, said: “Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug but can also be used as an anti-inflammatory preparation for auto-immune conditions like arthritis or lupus.
“Because of Laura’s history, we prescribed a combination of heparin and hydroxychloroquine to increase the chance of pregnancy.
“I’m delighted to hear that after such a long wait, Laura and Simon finally have their much wanted baby. Laura’s case illustrates the importance of careful screening and testing prior to IVF.”
Sources: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northumberland-woman-gives-birth-after-9734830
A malaria drug that costs just 25p has helped Laura Burnage have the baby she has waited more than 20 years for.
Holding her nine-week-old close, the new mum today told of his miracle arrival, two decades after she suffered her first miscarriage.
In the years that followed, Laura underwent the heartache of losing five babies but refused to give up hope that one day her longed-for child would arrive.
And that successful arrival is down to a 25p malaria tablet that enabled her to carry a baby full-term for the first time.
Laura, 46, said: “I still can’t believe he’s here. I just keep looking at him. I can’t take my eyes off him.
Children’s mental health nurse Laura suffered her first miscarriage when she was just 26 and married to her first husband.
That was followed by another two years later – and a third when she was 37.
Seven years later, after starting a relationship with self-employed builder Simon Burnage, 51, the couple began trying for a baby.
However, since Simon had already undergone a vasectomy, they went to a fertility clinic for help.
The pair, who live near Morpeth, Northumberland, visited Care Fertility in Manchester and had a first course of IVF, although Laura did not become pregnant.
She recalled: “That was devastating. I’d pinned all my hopes on the treatment. When it didn’t work it was heartbreaking.”
As they prepared to start their second course, scans revealed a blockage in one of Laura’s fallopian tubes, which deliver eggs from the ovaries. She had to undergo surgery to have both tubes removed, delaying IVF by six months.
After finally going ahead, the treatment proved a success but, sadly, just seven weeks into her pregnancy, Simon and Laura lost their baby. A third attempt in May last year again resulted in pregnancy but the couple lost the baby straight away.
Laura said: “Even though this was all happening, I never gave up. To be honest, I didn’t think it would happen, but I still clung to some hope.”
Laura underwent more tests in June last year and it was discovered she had a genetic mutation and a raised level of natural killer cells in her body. Known as NK cells, they are a key part of the immune system, but it turned out they were attacking the pregnancy, seeing the foetus as a foreign body.
In the hopes of stopping future attacks, Laura was prescribed an anti-malarial drug, which helps lower the immune system response.
And after a fourth course of IVF in September, the couple were told they were expecting again.
Baby Miles was delivered at eight months by caesarian in May, weighing a healthy 7lb 7oz.
Laura said: “I was so anxious all the way through the pregnancy that he was not going to make it.
“Now he is here, I just think it is incredible. Medical science has come so far. If this was 30 years ago, I would still be childless.
“I keep looking at him and thinking to myself “is he really here?”.
“I only hope our story helps other couples who may be going through something similar.”
The treatment has cost the couple more than £30,000, but it is money well spent according to the couple who are now enjoying life with Miles, who turns nine weeks old on Tuesday.
Mr Rashmi Patel, consultant in Reproductive Medicine at Care Fertility in Manchester, said: “Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug but can also be used as an anti-inflammatory preparation for auto-immune conditions like arthritis or lupus.
“Because of Laura’s history, we prescribed a combination of heparin and hydroxychloroquine to increase the chance of pregnancy.
“I’m delighted to hear that after such a long wait, Laura and Simon finally have their much wanted baby. Laura’s case illustrates the importance of careful screening and testing prior to IVF.”
Sources: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northumberland-woman-gives-birth-after-9734830
Mumbai (Bombay) Time
No comments:
Post a Comment