Sammy’s solo IVF journey to becoming a twin mum

At Care Fertility, we support people on every type of fertility journey—whether they’re building a family with a partner or choosing to do it on their own. For Sammy, a neonatal nurse from Liverpool, becoming a mum was something she knew she wanted—and didn’t want to wait for the ‘perfect’ relationship to make it happen. What followed was a four-year journey through IVF, miscarriage, loss, and finally, a twin pregnancy that changed everything. Here, Sammy shares her experience in her own words. 

My journey begins 

I’m Sammy, I’m from Liverpool, and I work on a neonatal unit. Every day I see families taking home their little miracles. Hearing their stories and watching their journeys made me realise something—I wanted that too. 

I knew I didn’t need to be in a relationship to do it, so I started looking into solo IVF. A friend recommended Care Fertility, and I’d seen their Liverpool clinic pop up on Instagram. I read through a few patient stories and decided to give them a call. 

I spoke to a lovely lady called Amanda at the Liverpool clinic. We had a long chat about my options, the process, and she explained everything clearly. I went in for some bloods and a scan to check how things were looking—and turns out I had a really high AMH level and I was very fertile. That gave me hope. 

Then I had a Teams consultation with Professor Charles Kingsland. We decided on a multi-cycle package and got the ball rolling. I also had a session with the counsellor to talk through how I was feeling about using donor sperm. That helped a lot. 

Finding the right donor 

Choosing a donor wasn’t easy. The first couple just didn’t jump out at me—but then I found one. There was one sentence in his personal message that just got me. I knew that was the one. 

Once everything was sorted and my cycle was in sync, I started the medication and got ready for egg collection. After collection, a good number of eggs fertilised, and I went in for my transfer but then came the dreaded two week wait. After my the wait was over and I could finally take a test, I got a big fat positive. I was over the moon—I was pregnant! 

But at six weeks, I started bleeding, and the pregnancy ended. 

Picking myself back up 

I tried again. Another positive test, but once again, I lost the pregnancy around six weeks. 

I still had two embryos left. Charles said we’d transfer both. I was nervous—those were my last two from that round. After the transfer, I waited. Another big fat positive. My HCG levels were high. I felt hopeful. 

But then it happened again—while I was at work, I started bleeding. I had to wait until the next day for a scan. They confirmed that one embryo was gone and that the other embryo was there, but there was no foetal pole. I was devastated. 

But I still had one more cycle left on my package. So, I decided to go ahead. Donor selected, drugs ordered—we went again. 

This time, only one embryo fertilised. That was transferred, and the the two week wait began again. Deep down, I think I knew it hadn’t worked. And on test day, it was confirmed—big fat negative. 

That weekend, I went to Manchester for my friend’s 40th. While we were out, one of the girls said—can’t quite remember who—“You’re not one to give up. We’ll all support you, and one day, you’ll get there.”

That stuck with me. 

Answers at last 

That following week, I had a phone consultation—sitting in the IKEA car park with my mum. Because I’d had three miscarriages by this point, I’d been sent for more tests. That’s when I found out I had sticky blood. They believed that was why I’d kept losing pregnancies. The embryo was implanting, but the blood couldn’t feed it properly. 

So, we made a new plan. This time I’d start Fragmin (a blood thinner) from egg collection day. With the help of my mum and her husband, I started another multi-cycle. New donor. New meds. New round. 

I remember taking my trigger shot at my friends 50th party and then going in for the collection! 

This time, it felt different 

We got 10 eggs and ended up with three beautiful embryos. I had the transfer, and then halfway through the wait I had horrendous pains. I called the clinic straight away. They told me it was too early to say if it might be an ectopic pregnancy—I’d just have to wait until test day to know more. 

They checked in with me every day after that to see how I was doing and whether the pains had eased—and they had, thankfully. 

Then came test day. Clearblue Digital. It said “1-2 weeks.” I was over the moon but also terrified of what could happen. 

The next day, I tested again—this time it said “2-3 weeks.” In just a day! I thought, how can it change that fast? I called the clinic, and they booked me in for my first scan. They told me to keep going with the Fragmin. 

The scan that changed everything

I took the morning off work to go with my mum for my very first scan. I remember sitting in the Care Fertility Liverpool waiting room, crying. Ashley came over and said, “Do you want to come on through, Sam?” 

I said, “No.” Through the tears I told her, “Once we go in and have the scan, everything’s going to change—and I’m scared it’s going to be bad news again. Sitting here, I’m pregnant. But what if you tell me I’m not… again?” 

She looked at me and said, “There’s only one way we can find out. Let’s go sit in the room, and when you’re ready, Emma will do the scan.” 

I lay there counting the ceiling tiles, trying not to panic. Emma asked me to confirm how many embryos had been transferred and the date. I looked at her and said, “One.” 

I saw Ashley’s eyes fill up and she quietly stepped out of the room. I thought, this is it—it’s over. I’m going to hear those words: It’s not good news, I’m afraid. 

Then I looked at Emma, and a tiny smile started to appear at the corner of her mouth. And then she said the words I’ll never forget: 

“I can confirm this is a twin pregnancy.” 

I burst into tears. So did my mum. We couldn’t believe it. 

After four years of trying, three miscarriages, and a failed attempt—I was now pregnant with twins. My mind was blown. I was over the moon but still scared. The team decided to book me in for another scan at nine weeks before discharging me, just to make sure everything was OK. 

That same morning, I went into work after the scan. Not many people knew I was doing another round, but the ones who did—I rang them all on the way in and said, “All good. Two heartbeats.” 

They were stunned. One of them said, “Wait—two? You’re having twins?” Another just burst out laughing and said, “Trust you, Sam. Trust you to end up with twins!” We laughed together and then she said, “Oh God—I forgot to even say congratulations!” 

I FaceTimed my best friends—they were in Turkey at the time. One of them screamed, “Twins! I knew it! I knew it! All this time, Sam, look—you’ve been rewarded. Our little cunka munka warriors.” 

It wasn’t easy—but it was worth it 

It wasn’t the easiest of pregnancies. I had scans every week. There were concerns about Twin 2. It was so scary. They didn’t know if Twin 2 would make it. I was faced with a decision: save Twin 1, wait and risk losing both, or just see what happens. 

I remember looking at my mum and said, “It’s all or nothing. I can’t and won’t choose.” She agreed. She was my rock. She was there every scan, every Wednesday, wearing the same pair of socks for luck. 

The emotional rollercoaster didn’t stop, but at 30 weeks and one day, I had a section. I gave birth to two beautiful baby boys—James and Jude. My little warriors. My little fighters. The boys who fought against all the odds were finally here, and they were mine. 

They were transferred to the neonatal unit, where they were looked after by my colleagues and my friends—the very same people I work alongside every day. After 11 long weeks in hospital, we were finally all home. 

If it wasn’t for Care Fertility—and if it wasn’t for the incredible team at Liverpool Women’s neonatal unit—I wouldn’t have my two 16-month-old, thriving, cheeky little boys who are my world. 

Ashley, Emma, Cathy, Amanda—without your support, your kindness, and your encouragement, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this story. I don’t know where we’d be. 

Charles once said to me, “There’s a baby in there. I promise you, we’ll get one.” 

Little did we know—I’d get two! 

Just keep going—don’t give up

If I could give any advice to anyone thinking about doing this—whether it’s with your husband, your wife, or on your own—it would be: just keep going. Don’t give up. 

There is light at the end of the tunnel. And when you hold your baby—or babies—in your arms for the first time, every bit of stress, worry, and anxiety you felt along the way will slip away. 

It’s a rocky, bumpy, windy road. But it’s worth it.  

Forever grateful 

I honestly couldn’t recommend Care Fertility enough. The staff are amazing. I’ll be forever grateful to Cathy, Emma, Ashley, and Amanda—they were with me every step of the way. Absolute unsung heroes in my eyes. 

I had two embryos left in the freezer, and I decided to donate them to science and training. After everything we’d been through, it felt like the right thing to do. Without science—and without a kind donor from Denmark—I wouldn’t have my boys. 

So, I’m forever grateful. To that man who chose to help someone like me have a family. To every single member of staff at Care Fertility Liverpool. And to the embryologists at Care Fertility Chester who looked after my embryos. 

Thank you—truly. 

Sammy’s story is a real reminder that there’s no single path to parenthood—and no ‘right’ way to start a family. Whether you're exploring IVF with a partner, using donor sperm, or considering treatment on your own, we’re here to guide you through it. 

Our teams take time to understand your situation, answer your questions, and make sure you feel supported at every stage. If you’re thinking about starting your own journey, or even just want to know what your options are, get in touch with us today.