From IVF Baby to IVF Mother: A Full-Circle Fertility Journey
The Independent's journalism receives support from our readers. Purchases made through links on our site may generate commission.
'My Story Gave Us Hope': Woman Conceived by IVF Welcomes Her Own Miracle Baby
In a remarkable full-circle fertility story, a woman who was herself conceived through in vitro fertilisation during the 1990s has now welcomed her own baby via the same medical procedure. Lauren Gadsby, 33, and her husband Jon from Derby celebrated the arrival of their healthy daughter, Hollie, on 8 December 2025, after enduring five years of multiple pregnancy losses and fertility struggles.
Their journey to parenthood began shortly after their wedding in 2022, but after three years without success, medical tests revealed male factor infertility, indicating natural conception was unlikely. The couple faced the heartbreak of three lost pregnancies, alongside chemical pregnancies and abnormal smear test results during their challenging path.
Drawing Hope From Her Own Unique Beginning
Despite the emotional and physical toll of the fertility process, Ms Gadsby drew significant inspiration from her own unique origin story. She explained that being an IVF baby herself instilled a fundamental belief in the treatment's effectiveness. "It gave me that belief that it does work, because I am an example of that," she told PA Real Life.
Upon learning about their fertility challenges, the couple decided to pursue IVF treatment, supported by supplements including Impryl® from Fertility Family, which is designed to help optimise fertility and support healthy pregnancy outcomes. Since Ms Gadsby herself was the product of successful IVF treatment, they felt confident in the process and were determined to do whatever necessary to have a baby of their own.
The Emotional Toll and Relationship Challenges
"It was very challenging," Ms Gadsby revealed about the couple's battle with infertility. "My husband definitely struggled. I guess he felt a lot of guilt, even though, obviously, he shouldn't. I think men don't really talk about it, and because we were told it's on the male side, I think he was thinking it was all him, and he just felt really guilty."
She added that the fertility journey placed significant strain on their relationship, noting that such experiences can be "quite hard on your relationship as well."
Navigating NHS Treatment and Early Setbacks
In early 2024, the couple received positive news that they qualified for IVF treatment through the National Health Service. While processes differ across the country, in their area they could access one round of IVF through the NHS, meaning they thankfully did not need to worry about the financial burden of private treatment.
In April 2024, Ms Gadsby underwent her egg collection procedure, and they were fortunate to obtain "quite a few embryos." However, their journey encountered significant setbacks. Their first pregnancy ended in miscarriage at eight weeks, followed by two chemical pregnancies – very early pregnancy losses that usually occur just after embryo implantation, before or around five weeks.
Finding Community Through Social Media Sharing
During this period of uncertainty and loss, Ms Gadsby decided to document her fertility journey on TikTok, sharing her story publicly in the hope that it would help others experiencing similar challenges. "I started it when I had the first loss," she explained. "When I lost at eight weeks, I did a video of the journey so far."
After uploading her first video, Lauren discovered she had "loads of comments, and loads of people messaging me." This response provided unexpected comfort, making her "feel like I wasn't alone." She continued sharing her experiences, finding that the process "actually really helped me" during a difficult time.
Additional Health Challenges and Treatment Delays
Amidst their fertility struggles, Ms Gadsby faced additional health concerns. Following a routine cervical smear test in summer 2024 – shortly after losing her first baby – she received abnormal results on the same day she learned about a chemical pregnancy. About seven years earlier, she had been diagnosed with HPV (Human Papillomavirus) following a routine cervical smear, requiring annual rather than five-yearly testing.
While an abnormal smear test result is not a cancer diagnosis, it indicates changes in cervical cells that require monitoring or treatment to prevent future cancer development. "I remember being really upset because, obviously, I'd just found out I'd had a chemical pregnancy as well," Ms Gadsby recalled. "It was a lot."
Following a referral for a colposcopy – a magnified examination that provides detailed assessment of the cervix and surrounding organs – doctors confirmed the presence of abnormal cells requiring treatment. They performed the LLETZ procedure (large loop excision of the transformation zone), which removes precancerous growths using a heated wire loop under local anaesthetic.
A Silver Lining in Health Complications
Thankfully, the procedure proved completely successful – all abnormal cells were removed, and Ms Gadsby was informed she no longer had HPV. However, medical professionals instructed her to wait six months before continuing with IVF treatment.
"In a weird way, I feel like everything happens for a reason, because it got rid of it before I then got pregnant with Hollie," Ms Gadsby reflected. "It would have been a bit of a nightmare if I'd found that out while I was pregnant. So, it worked out for the best but, at the time, it was very frustrating to have the delay."
Successful Conception and Pregnancy Anxiety
By April 2025, Ms Gadsby was able to resume IVF treatment, and shortly afterwards, Hollie was successfully conceived. Given their previous experiences with pregnancy loss, the couple found it difficult to relax during the pregnancy, opting for several private scans to confirm everything was progressing normally.
By the time they reached 24 weeks, Ms Gadsby felt confident enough to begin purchasing baby items and preparing their home, though she acknowledged continuing anxiety about potential complications. "I still had anxiety about the possibility of issues down the line," she admitted.
Emergency Delivery and Joyful Arrival
The couple welcomed Hollie into the world on 8 December 2025 – sixteen days earlier than her Christmas Eve due date. Ms Gadsby required induction after being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure, and Hollie was delivered via emergency Caesarean section.
Ms Gadsby continues to share her motherhood journey on social media platforms, offering hope and support to others navigating similar fertility challenges. Her unique story – from IVF baby to IVF mother – provides a powerful testament to medical advances in fertility treatment and the enduring hope that sustains families through difficult reproductive journeys.
