Fertility Road Issue 06

nephews and nieces, but we felt so strongly that it just wouldn’t
be the same for Nicholas if he didn’t have a brother or a sister.
So here we were again, desperately trying for another child,
knowing that the odds were stacked against us, and our chances
were pretty slim. Nonetheless, we kicked ourselves into action
once more, and decided to go back to the Hammersmith clinic,
and explain to them our reasons for why we were trying for
another child, and what it would mean for our son.
Racing against the clock
We started treatment almost immediately, trying to remain
positive for the sake of our son. However, after 4 failed attempts,
my husband had had enough. I couldn’t blame him. From the day
we got married, we had focused so hard on falling pregnant, we
were unable to book holidays or plan anything, as I was always
on medication and we couldn’t really socialise as I had cut out
alcohol completely.
With every failed attempt, the pain grew and
grew, each time having to endure the grieving
process, whilst trying to accept that this might
never work.
I managed to persuade my husband to try a
few more cycles, but after our eighth attempt
we stopped treatments vowing that it would be
our last time. I was both physically and emotionally
exhausted. I had put my body through
so much already, and I was beginning to feel the impact it was
having on me, after all I was 46, and not getting any younger.
After much discussion, we decided that it was time to take our
first family holiday. Packing our bags, we took off for a fantastic
trip to the Middle East. It was exactly what I needed, a well
deserved break from all the tests, clinics and doctor’s appointments
that we had endured for so long. Though, deep in my heart
I was devastated I wasn’t pregnant and my husband could see it.
One last chance
On our return, my husband agreed to trying one last time. This
time, if it was to work, it had to be something different to make
an impact as I knew I couldn’t face going back to Hammersmith
and starting all over again.
It was at this time that a relative of mine suggested that I
speak to Dr. Mane at the Origin Fertility Clinic in India, an
expert in the fertility field. After hesitation I agreed to have a
consultation with Dr. Mane and realised with his help this was
my only opportunity to fulfill my dreams.
In all this craziness, my first dilemma was leaving my son.
I had never been away before, and dreaded being separated
from him. Was he too young to be left with my parents? Would
he understand? And what if something happened and he needed
me. My emotions were everywhere, but I knew that if I didn’t
go, then I would live with the question in my head for the rest
of my life “what if...”.
Our extended families have been fantastic, always looking
after Nicholas when I needed to go for treatments, and more
importantly were always there for us when we needed a shoulder
to cry on. They were so supportive of our needs and understood
why we were doing this and what it meant to us.
So there I was, 46, and desperately trying to fall pregnant again.
If all was to go well I would be 48 and a mother for the second
time. Again age was a major factor, not just for me, but for our
family as a whole. I didn’t want Nicholas to be an only child, and
alone when making decisions and taking caring of us in our old
age. Family is everything to me, and I wanted the same for my son.
My husband and I agreed that if this was going to be the very
last time then we had to give it our best shot. After our initial
consultation with Dr. Mane, he quickly reassured us, saying that
if this was our final attempt at having another child, then we
had come to right place.
Before I knew it, my husband and I were boarding a plane to India
to see Dr Mane. Unfortunately my husband had the flu before we
left, which only seem to worsen on arrival. Terrified that I might
suffer as well, I was prescribed antibiotics to avoid illness. I didn’t
want anything to jeopardise my best chance of adding to our family.
Dr Mane and his team were wonderful, they made me feel so
welcome and at ease. Finally we had found someone who really
did understand why we were doing this and what it meant to us.
With every failed attempt, the pain
grew and grew, each time having to
endure the grieving process, whilst trying
to accept that this might never work.
As my husband was so sick, we decided it would be better if I
checked into my own hotel near Dr. Mane’s clinic. I saw my
husband daily, and though I missed his company, I really didn’t
mind being alone, and enjoyed the peace and quiet. If I was
having a bad day, I could, in the privacy of my own room. There
was no pressure of having to socialise or even make conversation,
in fact we hadn’t even told our friends we were doing this as I
really couldn’t face the pressure of their disappointment if this
was not going to work out for us.
Had it all been worth it?
After ten days of treatment, I was packing my bags to return
back to the UK. I was tired, stressed, and suffering from a really
bad bout of the flu, passed onto me by my loving husband. I
remember boarding the plane thinking that this trip had been
a waste of time. Had I really blown my last chance??
As soon as I had recovered I went for a blood test. It came back
positive!! I was pregnant. I did another one and the same result!!
Could it be that I was actually going to be a Mum again at the age
of 48? We called Dr. Mane to tell him the good news, but were told
to wait for the three months before we could be absolutely sure.
I sit hear writing this article next to my second son, Martin, a
blessing and miracle. He was born a healthy child and a
perfect brother for Nicholas. I can’t tell you how happy I am,
and owe it all to Dr. Mane.
I had gone through so much, but finally got what I always
wanted. As I mentioned earlier family means the world to me,
and now I can pass that on to both my sons.
The Origin International Fertility Centre
Opp Hiranandani Meadows, Off Pokhran Rd 2, Thane (W) 400610,
Mumbai, India. Tel: 0091-22-21712345/40, Fax: 0091-22-21712341
info@theoriginfertility.com - www.theoriginfertility.com
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