Infertility:  Tracey and Tim

Tracey was 26 years of age when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a condition that prevents ovulation from occurring. The early diagnosis bought valuable time to try different fertility treatments that might help her become pregnant.

A course of Clomiphene to stimulate ovulation was prescribed, but Tracey did not respond to this treatment. And the hormones introduced by the medication didn’t help Tracey’s increasing stress levels either: feelings of desperation surfaced and Tracey felt that Tim should find a new fertile wife.

It was back to the drawing board. Tracey was referred to Nurture’s research centre, to take part in a study of women with PCOS who were resistant to Clomiphene. Tracey was randomised and selected for laparoscopic ovarian diathermy. The surgery itself was straightforward and Tracey recovered quickly. The long wait began (with more regular blood tests) to determine whether ovulation had been restored, and if Tracey would become pregnant naturally. It took five months of monitoring before Tracey’s first pregnancy was finally confirmed. Apart from some minor bleeding the pregnancy progressed without further incident and Harriet was safely delivered. Tracey was 29, Tim 31 and they had waited almost 3 years for her to arrive.

Over the next 3 years Tracey and Tim's friends began their families ... and then the next round of children started. The questions started about when Harriet would have a little brother or sister and judgements were passed about only children. Emotionally Tracey couldn't face the thought of more treatment until Harriet was over 3 - as a family they felt so lucky to have a healthy daughter.

Just as Tracey was about to consider further fertility treatment, she found herself pregnant once again. Lucy was safely delivered 8 months later; Tracey and Tim’s family was complete. Both feel incredibly lucky to have two beautiful daughters after years of stress, patience, heartache and nosey questions.
Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy had helped to restore ovulation, and Tracey and Tim completed their family without needing to undergo any further expensive or invasive fertility treatments.

To read more about research into laparoscopic ovarian diathermy click here