Doncaster mum shares eggs to double baby joy

A Doncaster woman who never thought she would become a mum has had a baby girl '“ and helped another woman to conceive too by donating eggs.
Nichola and Paul Wildsmith with their eight-week year old daughter Meiyah, who was conceived through IVF. Picture: Andrew RoeNichola and Paul Wildsmith with their eight-week year old daughter Meiyah, who was conceived through IVF. Picture: Andrew Roe
Nichola and Paul Wildsmith with their eight-week year old daughter Meiyah, who was conceived through IVF. Picture: Andrew Roe

Nichola Wildsmith started IVF treatment with her husband Paul almost two years ago, after four years of attempting to conceive naturally.

At the same time, she decided she wanted to give another woman the chance to be a mum by becoming an egg donor.

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Nichola and Paul chose to try IVF after they had been trying to conceive naturally for around two years.

They first went to Care Fertility, a specialist IVF and fertility clinic in Sheffield, in March 2014 and started their first IVF cycle in August

Sadly, the couple’s first attempt ended with a miscarriage, but around a year after she first started treatment, Nichola, aged 35, and Paul, aged 45, were delighted to discover she was pregnant again. However, their joy was mixed with fear.

“Every step, every scan, it’s so daunting,” Nichola said.

“Even after you’ve had the positive pregnancy test it’s so scary, because there’s a chance the first scan might show that your baby is no longer alive.

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“But every time I felt the baby kick or heard a heartbeat it was wonderful and I felt more reassured and excited.

“I had a normal pregnancy and everything progressed as it should. I did have morning sickness, but it wasn’t that bad. I know that some women don’t like it when they are sick, but I didn’t mind because it was just another sign that my baby was there.”

Baby Meiyah arrived in December and now the couple are settling in to parenthood with their ‘perfect’ baby.

“She’s absolutely fantastic,” Nichola said.

“I know some other parents have difficulty with their babies sleeping through the night, but she only wakes once.

“She’s a perfect baby.

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“Even if she wasn’t like that and she did wake up lots I wouldn’t mind. I didn’t think I would ever become a mum, now I cherish her.”

The Wildsmiths’ story is made even more special by the fact that Nichola has also helped another woman to conceive.

When Nichola had her first appointment to discuss IVF, she saw a leaflet about egg-sharing – a process which allows women undergoing IVF to share their eggs with others who cannot produce their own.

“I didn’t even have to think about it,” Nichola said.

“It’s so hard to have to face the fact you can’t have children so I just wanted to try and help somebody.

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“I know the woman who used my eggs had a positive pregnancy test in 2014, but I decided not to find out if she had a baby.

“As far as I’m concerned, if she did have a baby it is hers, I just gave her a helping hand.

“It’s the best decision I’ve ever made, I’ve become a mum and I hope I’ve helped somebody else become a mum too.”

n Care Fertility is appealing for women to become egg donors. To find out more, call the clinic, on Glen Road, on 0114 2589716 or visit www.carefertility.com