Love in Real Life: Niamh, Gordon and baby Isabelle’s IVF Journey

From a Chance Meeting to a Lifelong Bond

Niamh and Gordon met on a night out  and what began as a chance encounter led to a long relationship, a wedding, and eventually, a shared desire to become parents.

They marked their 5th round  with life-changing news: they were expecting a baby. But that moment came after a long, complicated journey, one shaped by health issues, hard  decisions, and years of resilience. Read Niamh and Gordon’s emotional story to parenthood as they share their real experience with the ups and downs of the fertility journey. 

Facing Fertility Challenges Early On

Fertility concerns became part of the couple’s reality sooner than expected. Early in their relationship, Niamh  was told she may have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), and she chose to be upfront with Gordon about what that could mean for their future together. Later, she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition that gradually worsened over the years and eventually reached stage four, affecting her bowel as well as her reproductive system.

“At 25, I found out I had endometriosis. That reduced our chances even more.”

Although they hadn’t yet bought a house or settled into parenthood, her diagnosis forced them to consider fertility decisions earlier than planned. Surgery was likely due to health conditions. And with each appointment, the window for carrying her own child appeared to be narrowing.

A Quiet First Step Toward Help

Wanting to preserve her fertility, Niamh contacted Sims IVF on her own. Her plan was to freeze her eggs ahead of surgery, just in case. But during the consultation, her consultant at Sims advised that embryo freezing, not egg freezing, was the better option, given that she and Gordon were married and in a long term relationship

That meant involving Gordon sooner than she had expected.  They moved forward with IVF for the first time, not to start a family immediately, but to store embryos as a backup for the future.

They hoped to retrieve enough eggs, fertilise them, and freeze a small number before surgery. But they received a call that changed everything: devastatingly, none of their embryos had made it.

Recovering and Trying Again

While the outcome of that first round was extremely disappointing, the surgery that followed brought better news. Doctors were able to remove all active endometriosis, giving Niamh  a stronger chance of conceiving. With renewed hope, they returned to Sims the following spring for another IVF cycle.

This time, two embryos developed. They transferred one, and it led to a positive pregnancy test. For the first time, they felt they were moving forward on their journey to parenthood. But at the seven-week scan, their pregnancy was no longer viable. It was a heartbreaking loss.

“The baby was gone… but to me, it was still progress.”

Despite the loss, Niamh saw something positive. For the first time, she had reached a new stage in her journey. Her body could get pregnant. That gave them a sense of progress.

The Emotional Toll of Repeated Cycles

Unfortunately, the next round brought no embryos. . It became emotionally draining. Every success was followed by a setback. The process, both physically and mentally, was taking its toll.

“It just kept going like that. Some rounds gave us something, then the next would give us nothing.”

Niamh reached a point where she no longer wanted to continue with her own eggs. She began considering donor options, unsure if her body could keep going through these cycles.

But they agreed to try one last time, their consultant suggested a different approach changing the medication and treatment plan.

One Final Attempt and a Powerful Goodbye

That final round brought the news they had been hoping for, four embryos. For the first time, the result exceeded their expectations. But their joy was mixed with sadness, as at the time, Gordon’s father was passing away. .

“I whispered, ‘John, we got four. Go to sleep and send us our baby.’ He passed minutes later.”

It was a bittersweet moment. 

The Challenges of Pregnancy

The pregnancy that followed wasn’t smooth. Niamh experienced heavy nausea, poor skin, hair loss, many  symptoms all at once. But for her, it was manageable because of what it meant: they were finally expecting their baby.

“Everything that could possibly happen, happened. But all for a good reason.”

Eventually, their baby girl arrived, healthy and loved. After years of treatment, surgeries, and grief, they were finally holding their child.

Health Decisions After Birth

While the joy of parenthood changed their lives, the endometriosis continued to affect Niamh's health. It worsened again after the birth. In early 2024, she underwent  a hysterectomy, a decision that didn’t come easily, but one she’s at peace with.

“It’s been a 12-year journey. But I’m okay with it, we got what we needed.”

Twelve years after her first diagnosis, the journey has come full circle. Parenthood was always the goal. Now that they’ve achieved it, her focus is on staying healthy for the child they worked so hard to bring into the world.

“She deserves a happy, healthy mummy, and that’s what matters most.”

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Their story is not one of overnight success. It’s a story of slow steps forward, setbacks, and determination that spanned more than a decade. They faced difficult diagnoses, made hard decisions, and kept trying, even when things seemed difficult.

Thinking About Fertility Support?

If you’re exploring fertility treatment or wondering what your options are, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Sims IVF offers personalised support and guidance. Get in touch today.