Fertility Road Issue 06
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nephews and nieces, but we felt so strongly that it just wouldn’t<br />
be the same for Nicholas if he didn’t have a brother or a sister.<br />
So here we were again, desperately trying for another child,<br />
knowing that the odds were stacked against us, and our chances<br />
were pretty slim. Nonetheless, we kicked ourselves into action<br />
once more, and decided to go back to the Hammersmith clinic,<br />
and explain to them our reasons for why we were trying for<br />
another child, and what it would mean for our son.<br />
Racing against the clock<br />
We started treatment almost immediately, trying to remain<br />
positive for the sake of our son. However, after 4 failed attempts,<br />
my husband had had enough. I couldn’t blame him. From the day<br />
we got married, we had focused so hard on falling pregnant, we<br />
were unable to book holidays or plan anything, as I was always<br />
on medication and we couldn’t really socialise as I had cut out<br />
alcohol completely.<br />
With every failed attempt, the pain grew and<br />
grew, each time having to endure the grieving<br />
process, whilst trying to accept that this might<br />
never work.<br />
I managed to persuade my husband to try a<br />
few more cycles, but after our eighth attempt<br />
we stopped treatments vowing that it would be<br />
our last time. I was both physically and emotionally<br />
exhausted. I had put my body through<br />
so much already, and I was beginning to feel the impact it was<br />
having on me, after all I was 46, and not getting any younger.<br />
After much discussion, we decided that it was time to take our<br />
first family holiday. Packing our bags, we took off for a fantastic<br />
trip to the Middle East. It was exactly what I needed, a well<br />
deserved break from all the tests, clinics and doctor’s appointments<br />
that we had endured for so long. Though, deep in my heart<br />
I was devastated I wasn’t pregnant and my husband could see it.<br />
One last chance<br />
On our return, my husband agreed to trying one last time. This<br />
time, if it was to work, it had to be something different to make<br />
an impact as I knew I couldn’t face going back to Hammersmith<br />
and starting all over again.<br />
It was at this time that a relative of mine suggested that I<br />
speak to Dr. Mane at the Origin <strong>Fertility</strong> Clinic in India, an<br />
expert in the fertility field. After hesitation I agreed to have a<br />
consultation with Dr. Mane and realised with his help this was<br />
my only opportunity to fulfill my dreams.<br />
In all this craziness, my first dilemma was leaving my son.<br />
I had never been away before, and dreaded being separated<br />
from him. Was he too young to be left with my parents? Would<br />
he understand? And what if something happened and he needed<br />
me. My emotions were everywhere, but I knew that if I didn’t<br />
go, then I would live with the question in my head for the rest<br />
of my life “what if...”.<br />
Our extended families have been fantastic, always looking<br />
after Nicholas when I needed to go for treatments, and more<br />
importantly were always there for us when we needed a shoulder<br />
to cry on. They were so supportive of our needs and understood<br />
why we were doing this and what it meant to us.<br />
So there I was, 46, and desperately trying to fall pregnant again.<br />
If all was to go well I would be 48 and a mother for the second<br />
time. Again age was a major factor, not just for me, but for our<br />
family as a whole. I didn’t want Nicholas to be an only child, and<br />
alone when making decisions and taking caring of us in our old<br />
age. Family is everything to me, and I wanted the same for my son.<br />
My husband and I agreed that if this was going to be the very<br />
last time then we had to give it our best shot. After our initial<br />
consultation with Dr. Mane, he quickly reassured us, saying that<br />
if this was our final attempt at having another child, then we<br />
had come to right place.<br />
Before I knew it, my husband and I were boarding a plane to India<br />
to see Dr Mane. Unfortunately my husband had the flu before we<br />
left, which only seem to worsen on arrival. Terrified that I might<br />
suffer as well, I was prescribed antibiotics to avoid illness. I didn’t<br />
want anything to jeopardise my best chance of adding to our family.<br />
Dr Mane and his team were wonderful, they made me feel so<br />
welcome and at ease. Finally we had found someone who really<br />
did understand why we were doing this and what it meant to us.<br />
With every failed attempt, the pain<br />
grew and grew, each time having to<br />
endure the grieving process, whilst trying<br />
to accept that this might never work.<br />
As my husband was so sick, we decided it would be better if I<br />
checked into my own hotel near Dr. Mane’s clinic. I saw my<br />
husband daily, and though I missed his company, I really didn’t<br />
mind being alone, and enjoyed the peace and quiet. If I was<br />
having a bad day, I could, in the privacy of my own room. There<br />
was no pressure of having to socialise or even make conversation,<br />
in fact we hadn’t even told our friends we were doing this as I<br />
really couldn’t face the pressure of their disappointment if this<br />
was not going to work out for us.<br />
Had it all been worth it?<br />
After ten days of treatment, I was packing my bags to return<br />
back to the UK. I was tired, stressed, and suffering from a really<br />
bad bout of the flu, passed onto me by my loving husband. I<br />
remember boarding the plane thinking that this trip had been<br />
a waste of time. Had I really blown my last chance??<br />
As soon as I had recovered I went for a blood test. It came back<br />
positive!! I was pregnant. I did another one and the same result!!<br />
Could it be that I was actually going to be a Mum again at the age<br />
of 48? We called Dr. Mane to tell him the good news, but were told<br />
to wait for the three months before we could be absolutely sure.<br />
I sit hear writing this article next to my second son, Martin, a<br />
blessing and miracle. He was born a healthy child and a<br />
perfect brother for Nicholas. I can’t tell you how happy I am,<br />
and owe it all to Dr. Mane.<br />
I had gone through so much, but finally got what I always<br />
wanted. As I mentioned earlier family means the world to me,<br />
and now I can pass that on to both my sons.<br />
The Origin International <strong>Fertility</strong> Centre<br />
Opp Hiranandani Meadows, Off Pokhran Rd 2, Thane (W) 40<strong>06</strong>10,<br />
Mumbai, India. Tel: 0091-22-21712345/40, Fax: 0091-22-21712341<br />
info@theoriginfertility.com - www.theoriginfertility.com<br />
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