We met when we were only 14 + 17 years old and have been together ever since.

We always planned to get married and have children but didn't feel in any rush to do so, still being so young.

I have always had problems with my periods and Doctors always said I would 'grow out of it' and never tested me for anything at all.

It was only when I was 20 and my Manager at work made me insist on seeing a Gynaecologist, which I did. After a laparoscopy and DNC, I discovered I have quite extensive endometriosos. They advised me to start trying for a family immediately, knowing I would most probably have problems.

I came off the pill, still being 20 years old. Nothing happened and we were then married, ages 22 + 25.

I was then given Clomid pills which didn't work and was therefore added to the IVF waiting list.

On this waiting list, then Matthew was being tested, we discovered that his sperm count was low. Nothing seemed to be in our favour for trying for a baby.

We went through 1 course of IVF (actually had ICSI due to Matthew's sperm count) last November (2002), We went all the way to the end and after developing 44 follicles, only 7 eggs were recovered. Only 1 of these fertlised and then didn't split. We therefore never got to the egg replacement stage.

We were told the problem was my eggs being 'spongy'. We are now half way through the second treatment (aged 27 + 30), and the drugs are being halved this time, in a hope to not over develop my eggs.

Although it seems that everything goes wrong and it is extremely upsetting, we just have to carry on each day at a time and hope that one day we will be blessed with a child.

I hope that any other couples who are thinking of giving up, see that you just have to take it step by step.

Thank You

Clare and mathew

17 - 04 - 03