Deborah Dudden suffered five miscarriages. She had given up hope of having a baby but, after taking part in a research trial, she now has a healthy baby son, Samuel.
“By my third miscarriage I was emotionally distraught and had to have bereavement counselling. I was horrified by my fertility expert’s lack of interest and understanding – so I asked for a second opinion. To my delight, I found I was pregnant for a fourth time, but at seven weeks I was rushed to hospital.
They told me I was miscarrying, took me to theatre and took away the baby. I was devastated. We decided to have a year off. Then I realised that I was pregnant again. This time I thought ‘it’s meant to be’, but at my first scan, there was no heartbeat. I went home shattered. Then I was accepted for a research trial at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and treated with steroids. When I found out I was pregnant, I was extremely nervous. I went for an early scan expecting bad news, and for the first time saw a booming heartbeat and a tiny outline of a baby. I cried with joy. We now have Samuel, our beautiful baby boy.”