Dursley woman one of first success stories for county fertility unit

A MUM-TO-BE is celebrating after being one of the first women to become pregnant with the help of the county's new fertility centre.

Emily Loveday, 34, of Dursley, had just one cycle of IVF treatment at the Cotswold Fertility Unit (CFU).

Mrs Loveday, who is married to Andrew, 36, had been trying unsuccessfully for a baby for four years.

The new centre, a first for the county, was launched in July to much fanfare.

Mrs Loveday, who is 12 weeks pregnant, said she was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries.

She said: "After treatment we were able to go ahead with the IVF and I fell pregnant after just one cycle.

"We couldn't believe it when we got the positive test result. We are both absolutely delighted and very excited.

"The staff at the CFU were all very welcoming and discreet. It was a good experience for us and we would recommend it."

Before the centre opened, couples desperate to have a baby had to travel to centres in Bristol or Oxford for treatment.

So far, nine of the 15 couples treated at the unit, which is in Cheltenham, have been successful after just one cycle of IVF.

About 350 couples are expected to benefit from the service each year.

The CFU is open to both NHS and private patients. Eligible couples in Gloucestershire are entitled to one free cycle of IVF paid for by the NHS.

Kalpana Reddy, consultant gynaecologist at the centre, said: "We see lots of couples who have been trying to get pregnant for a long time and understand how emotionally draining it can be.

"While we can never guarantee fertility treatment will be a success, we are delighted so many of our couples are now pregnant."

■ To find out more about the CFU, speak to your GP or contact Mrs Reddy's secretary on 08454 223 128 or visit www.cotswoldfertilityunit.co.uk.