On Friday 24th September, we had a wonderful visit from our IVF warriors Nicola Manashe and her fiancée Alex Reid. They brought with them the most precious gift, their baby daughter Anastasia Pixie. Mother, father and baby surprised Dr Venkat and the team, bringing them flowers and chocolates, feeling and spreading the love of Our Family.
General Manager Suvir became “Uncle Suvir,” and Dr Venkat “The Fairy Godmother” who has already granted Nicola and Alex’s wishes! The whole team came to see the baby, admiring how beautiful and well behaved she was (and to answer your question, Alex, yes, we only make beautiful babies!).
Alex didn’t remember what he declared when the couple first visited HSFC, but we reminded him: “you said you trust us”. The result could of course be seen in his arms - the adorable Anastasia Pixie.
Catching up with the couple afterwards, we could tell that although they looked tired, they were full of happiness.
Listen to the podcast below.
“It was so lovely to come back to the HSFC, and I am so indebted and grateful. Not just me, of course Nicola, and especially beautiful princess Anastasia Pixie Reid, who you guys helped bring into creation. We are so indebted to you. There’s so much love. It really is a family. Our family! Thank you! And thank you, thank you, thank you Dr Venkat and everybody.
Me and Nicola have been on this rock & roll, roller coaster ride of IVF for 7 years. It’s been painful. I believe in the Law of Attraction but it’s been disappointing, with so many miscarriages, and upsets. The one thing I felt, I wanted to make sure if I was in the right place, after all our trials and tribulations, was the love here. You certainly had the science and 100% had the love, and that is so important, and the care and attention. That really is. That’s how little beings come into creation, love. And we wanted love by the people who were going to help make Anastasia. I certainly felt that, so thank you, thank you, thank you!
It’s a home away from home. Another family. This is actually Anastasia’s family. I recommend anyone who is struggling, come and check these guys. As I said, time and time again, we did all the investigating work that other clinics didn’t do. We felt so confident, we felt we were in the right place. There wasn’t any disappointment at HSFC, all the trials and tribulations we had in the past, we just knew. I just wish we came to HSFC 7 years earlier, we wouldn't have had all the time wasted. Thank you, guys, thank you, thank you, thank you! Absolute love!”
“Everything has been blogged from day 1, since meeting my Fairy Godmother Dr Venkat.
How does it feel being back at the clinic after all this time? To be honest, it feels utterly surreal. I never thought this day will come when I’ll be able to call myself a mum and I, honestly, owe EVERYTHING to two extremely special people in my heart, which is Uncle Suvir, and my Fairy Godmother Dr Venkat. These two amazing human beings helped me create a family for myself and honestly, till the day I die, I owe these people my happiness. So a huge, huge, huge thank you to those two. I also need to say a massive thank you to all of the incredible people behind the scenes from the embryologist, to the front of house who support you through every step of the way, even the pharmacist! The nurses are incredible! Anytime you want to call they are always there to help and support, and guide you through this difficult and emotional journey. I just want to say thank you so much to the whole team, it's been an absolute blessing and I am quite sad to be here because I missed everyone so much, I just want to continue to come in weekly.
If, in your heart, you really do feel that it’s not over, keep on fighting! There is always another doctor who will give you another explanation. It has taken us years, and nobody had done their research. Not one doctor tested me for the Natural Killer Cells. Doctor Venkat did. Doctor Venkat put me on steroids. I never went on steroids before this cycle at HSFC. First time with HSFC, and I fell pregnant. That’s because this doctor was different than other doctors. She investigated every part of my body and our baby came.
My message to you is please don’t give up, there is always another doctor that will do their research and, if this cycle doesn’t work, and you have it in you to go again, then go again! Give yourself time to heal if you miscarry, learn to love each other, as a partner, if you are doing it on your own, treat yourself, be around friends, be around family. Try to look forward. Never look back on the loss or the miscarriage, or a cycle that failed, but keep looking forward to the end result. Sometimes IVF doesn’t work, and that’s ok as well. There are so many ways to have a baby, whether it is through surrogacy or adoption, but please, don’t give up if you feel within your heart that it’s your given right to be a parent.”
We asked Nicola about who is taking control of the night feeds: “I am doing the night feeds - I am exhausted but super happy. She’s quite a good sleeper. I am up 3 times a night, I have my structure and routine in place. We have a bottle feed at 6 o’clock. She sleeps until 3, she sleeps until 7 in the morning. As a new mum, I am not having support from my own mother who passed away. I am learning along the way through friends who have children as well. I am loving learning how to be a mum. “
General Manager (aka Uncle Suvir) also had something to say about Alex and Nicola: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Nicola and Alex back, with Anastasia in their arms. Dr Venkat had a picture with the baby and the embryo. She is absolutely adorable! We are looking forward to welcoming them back to the clinic for baby number two.”
Dr Venkat says: “When I first saw Nicola and Alex and they explained their situation, I told them they were an easy case. ‘You will leave the clinic with a baby in your arms, I promise you’, I said. And I kept my promise. Of course it’s not only down to me, but also to Nicola’s determination to fight for her right to have a baby, which made this day possible. I am looking forward to watching the baby grow. I am also touched by my new “Fairy Godmother” nickname. I wish to grant everyone their wishes.”
We love to welcome back members of our HSFC family, and there’s no question that the family is growing by the day! If you’d like to find out more about IVF and other fertility options with us, don’t hesitate to get in touch.