Laura and Rachel met in 2016 and always knew they wanted to start a family. After hitting roadblocks with NHS access, they turned to Care Fertility for support. In just one round of IUI, their dream of becoming mums became a reality. Here, they share their journey to baby Otis, from early setbacks to life-changing moments.
We (Laura and Rachel) met in 2016 in Derby and knew early on that we both wanted to start a family and be Mums. Over time, we discussed how this might work for us and researched the different options, including NHS funded treatment, private treatment and adoption.
As can happen, we were busy with building our careers, getting on the property ladder and we then got married in 2022, so we didn’t seriously think about pursuing fertility treatment until later on in 2022.
At this time, we were aware of potential legislation changes that would mean that same-sex couples could access funded fertility treatment through the NHS and so we went to our GP so that Laura could have the necessary tests. Everything was going well until we had our first hospital appointment where we were told that, as a same-sex couple, we could only access IVF if one of us was infertile.
“That initial ‘no’ from the NHS felt really exclusive and othering.”
This was 8 months after our first GP appointment and we had believed that we were going to be able to access care through the NHS. Finding out that we couldn’t get this and would have to pay to access private care was scary – we didn’t know the costs associated and if we would be able to afford this.
The next day, Rachel started to look at private fertility clinics and shortlisted 3. Care Fertility stood out as an option as our friends had their treatment through their Tamworth clinic and had given birth to twins about 6 years previously and a work colleague had been to the Sheffield clinic and had a baby girl.
“We felt instantly welcome as a couple, not just as an individual having treatment.”
When we spoke to their team on the phone they were empathetic, clear and friendly and we felt instantly welcome as a couple, not just as an individual having treatment. After having phone conversations and discussing with family and friends, we decided that we wanted to have treatment with Care Fertility.
We had our first appointment with Care Fertility in October 2023, following some calls to discuss what was available to us. Laura had some blood tests and scans and then we saw one of the consultants to discuss our options. As a same-sex couple, we were interested in trying IUI, as all of Laura’s tests had come back with good results and we knew that this was a slightly less expensive and invasive option to start off with.
We discussed IVF and IUI with the consultant, but decided we would try 1 or 2 rounds of IUI first and then reconsider if this hadn’t resulted in a pregnancy.
“We even watched our e-learning at the airport coming back from Barcelona!”
Throughout the treatment, we both felt so included and supported, including having counselling sessions to discuss the treatment. We felt like we could ask questions throughout the process and had an understanding of the treatment itself. We also found the matching process with our donor much easier than anticipated and loved reading the profile of the person we chose to be our donor.
The biggest unknown for us was when the treatment would take place, as IUI involves tracking your cycle and then having treatment around the point of ovulation. This happened over a weekend with Laura which meant she had to have some injections to firstly delay and then trigger her ovulation, but, other than this, everything went to plan.
The treatment itself went smoothly and then we went home for the nerve wracking two week wait to do a pregnancy test! That bit was really hard, but chatting to each other helped and remaining positive. We also had great support from family and friends at this time.
Taking that first pregnancy test was so scary, but after those initial two weeks the first (and then the next 20!) pregnancy tests came up positive. We experienced every emotion – from fear to absolute joy – but mostly we felt so lucky that the IUI had worked on the first round.
In October 2024, one year and two days since our first appointment, our little boy, Otis, was born and life has totally changed.
“We no longer have lie ins on the weekend or play FIFA every night, but the smiles and cuddles we get and watching our little boy grow is just incredible.”
We are so grateful for Care Fertility in giving us our boy.
For us, the most challenging part of our journey was probably that initial ‘no’ from the NHS. It felt really exclusive and ‘othering’ and left us feeling down. As soon as we spoke to Care Fertility we were treated so inclusively and compassionately.
“Being treated with compassion from the start made all the difference.”
The most rewarding part was definitely having our son and the moment of him being born will stay with us forever. It makes the nerves, worried and stumbles fade away when you hold them in your arms.
Overall, Care Fertility were incredible and we recommend them to everyone we speak to! For those where there is a cost involved, this can be daunting and feel impossible, and we know how lucky we are to have been able to afford this treatment.
From start to finish the staff were superb. What we would say is that we felt so involved, included and supported to become parents and, if it is an option, we can highly recommend Care Fertility.
We are overjoyed that we have our little boy and can’t wait to tell him how important Care Fertility have been in bringing him into the world. We are hoping to return later this year to try for baby number 2.