Double the boy joyfor trio of IVF pals
LESS than two years ago, three women were facing a desperate bid to become mums.
LESS than two years ago, three women were facing a desperate bid to become mums.
Today, the trio have double the joy, after amazingly all becoming parents of twin boys – and the best of pals.
Jessica Emery, Sharon Smith and Melanie Paragreen bonded when they learned they would have to go through IVF treatment – and began sharing their hopes and fears on their clinic's internet forum.
And since meeting up in person, they have become firm friends.
At the time, they had yet to start fertility treatment, so they have their celebrated key milestones with each other.
Their sunny tots turn heads wherever they go – but they agree that going for a bite to eat can require forward planning, when they ask for a total of six high chairs to be supplied.
Each have heart-wrenching stories of their struggles to conceive.
Jessica (28), of Buckland Close, Netherton, Peterborough, and her husband, Duncan (29), are parents to twins Max and Charlie (16 months).
Childhood sweethearts, they fell in love at Jack Hunt School in netherton, and Jessica gave birth to her first child, Sophie (12) at 16.
But operations for ovarian cysts left her with half an ovary.
The couple tried for years to have another baby without success.
That was when they turned to IVF.
Jessica said conceiving the boys at the first attempt was "a miracle".
She said: "The doctors said there was a 20 per cent chance of it working. So, I was extremely lucky it worked first time.
"The boys are very different, but they love each other so much. They are always kissing and cuddling.
Sharon Smith (31) and her husband, Ian (41), from Spalding, were delighted when their twins, Harry and Joseph (18 months) came into the world.
Before having IVF, Sharon had been trying to get pregnant for five years.
The pair's dreams came true after completing the third round of treatment.
Sharon said: "It was very stressful and emotional.
"We will all stay in touch. we have become good friends.
"I think it makes a difference we have gone through the same thing."
Melanie Paragreen (36), from Huntingdon, is mum to Ethan and Joseph (20 months).
It was nine years and three IVF cycles before the occupational therapist and her husband, Neil (43), became parents.
She said: "It was a rollercoaster and happened against all the odds, but we feel very blessed.
"We have all become amazing friends.
"We met before treatment, then supported each other through our pregnancies and gave birth within one year – it's a miracle."
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Tuesday 16 March 2010
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