A WOMAN who longed to be a mum has finally given birth aged 48 after 14 years of trying to conceive, five rounds of failed IVF, one ectopic pregnancy and the menopause.
Fiona McCluskey, now 49, and her husband Darren, 47, began trying for a baby on their honeymoon to Jamaica in 2004 – but as the weeks, months and years passed it became apparent that something was not quite right.
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The couple, who were then in their mid 30s, were advised by medics – after various blood and in-depth hormone tests – to try to conceive with the help of IVF, which they ultimately spent around £50k on.
After five unsuccessful rounds – one of which sadly resulted as an ectopic pregnancy – Fiona’s chances of becoming a mum grew even slimmer when she experiencing menopause symptoms aged 45.
But she didn’t let her hopes and dreams of becoming a parent fade away, and received specialist treatment in Barcelona in Spain, which involved a new protocol to start her periods again.
The couple were over the moon when their sixth and final round of IVF was a success, and they welcomed Ella-Jane in May 2019.
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Fiona from Edinburgh in Scotland, said: “We never thought this would happen to us; sometimes I wish I had started trying for a baby sooner but I am grateful that I finally have my little miracle.
“Darren, who is a key account manager, and I have been on an emotional rollercoaster ever since 2004, it has been so hard especially when friends, family and colleagues had babies and I didn’t but I remained positive and hopeful and never gave up.
“After two years of trying naturally, we went to the doctors who discovered I had a low ovarian reserve and needed IVF – we got the first round free and then paid for another on the NHS but they were both unsuccessful.
“It was devastating but we were able to pick ourselves back up and continue trying.
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“We used our lifesavings and work bonuses to fund the treatment but it was all worth it for our bundle of joy.”
In 2010, the couple went to a private clinic in Glasgow for Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ISCI) – an assisted reproduction technique used as part of IVF treatment.
They went on to have this procedure with every round of IVF to “boost” their chances of becoming parents.
Fiona continued: “I got ‘pregnant’ which was great news, we were thrilled but medics discovered it was a biochemical pregnancy which was heartbreaking.
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“My body had basically tricked itself into thinking it was pregnant but I was grateful to see my body works.”
Fiona recalled the “hardest part” was juggling a demanding job and appointments.
She feared telling colleagues since she felt infertility was stigmatised.
The mum explained: “I had a very demanding job, in advertising and marketing, with long hours, which kept me very busy throughout the process in hindsight I used work as a coping mechanism as I never took time off to dwell on anything I was going through.
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“I was a bit of a workaholic who was up and down the country for meetings and meeting strict deadlines.
“I didn’t let my personal life affect my work and kept everything what was happening bottled up by not telling anyone and occasionally making up excuses when I needed time off for appointments.
“I regret not taking time off when going through so much stress and heartbreak but I didn’t want other people to know.”
The couple were forced to put their dreams of becoming a family on hold in 2011 after both being made redundant, but after meeting a Spanish doctor at a fertility event in Glasgow they were led to a Barcelona IVF clinic in 2014.
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Fiona added: “During our three year break, I continued to exercise, eat healthily and take vitamins, goto acupuncture – I even went to hypnotherapy sessions but they didn’t work.
“Our desire to become parents became stronger and stronger – it was upsetting seeing friends with their children and feeling sad and a bit jealous.
“Once we both settled into new jobs, we began saving again and flew to Spain for another round of IVF and it was successful!
“We couldn’t believe it – our dreams had come true but at eight weeks, I had severe cramps during my train journey home from had a work appointment in Birmingham.
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“When I got back to Scotland, I was bleeding and we went straight to the hospital to be told it was an ectopic pregnancy.
“I was absolutely totally heartbroken but I found some comfort knowing I could carry a baby.”
In 2015, she endured more heartbreak when another round failed and then she began to experience “horrible” hot flushes, with her GP gave her a menopause diagnosis the following year.
She thought “it was over”, but the clinic in Barcelona introduced her to a new protocol and the pill to start her periods again.
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In 2018, two embryos were transferred and a pregnancy test revealed, following the agonising “14 day wait” that Fiona was pregnant aged 47.
She said: “I was absolutely over the moon but still couldn’t quite believe it – I was smiling from ear to ear and so was Darren.
“But I couldn’t help but feel frightened as I thought something bad might happen and worried a lot during my pregnancy but tried to keep busy and put it out of my mind but it was terrifying at times, thinking the worst but stayed calm and used hypnosis soundtracks at night to switch off.
“My parents were ecstatic as they finally got a grandchild in their late 70s.
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“Ella-Jane is a gem, our rainbow baby and she was totally worth the wait – I can’t even remember my life before her – it is like she has always been here!
“It can be hard at times as I am not as young as I used to be but I am fit and regularly work out and keep myself healthy.
“Barcelona will always have a special place in our hearts and we can’t wait to take Ella-Jane there.
“And we’re so very grateful and lucky we met the Doctor from the Barcelona clinic.”
In other parenting news, we told you how a dad has created a stunning treehouse for his daughter for just a tenner.
We also revealed how a mum created a “lunch menu” at home to cheer up her kids missing school dinners.
And a toddler has covered his face in lipstick after getting into his mum’s make-up bag.
