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Moms spent $42k on IVF, say “completely worth it”

"She is a miracle for us."

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By Ben Barry via SWNS

A couple who suffered four miscarriages and spent $42,000 on IVF treatment have given birth to a "miracle" baby girl - and say she was "completely worth it."

Anna Tippet and Murielle Jayer with Elise. (TFP fertility UK/Anna Tippet via SWNS)

Anna Tippet, 35, and Murielle Jayer, 36, started trying to have children through IVF in June 2020.

Although they got 12 eggs from Anna, but only ended up with one embryo after combining them with donor sperm.

The pregnancy ended in an early miscarriage.

The second and third rounds also resulted in miscarriage, and Anna found out she was a carrier of a gene mutation called MTHFR - which can influence how the body absorbs folic acid, and so, impact a pregnancy.

At the fourth attempt, Anna fell pregnant with twins.

Elise. (TFP fertility UK/Anna Tippet via SWNS)

The couple was in disbelief when they saw two heartbeats at their seven-week viability scan.

Shortly after, they lost one twin.

The birth was induced at 41 weeks and three days, and baby Élise Tippet Jayer was born weighing 10lbs 6oz on January 24, 2022.

Anna, from Reading, UK, said: "I sit and look at her and think 'I can't believe she is actually here.'

"We are super proud of her. She is very strong, physically and mentally.

"She just started nursery last month.

"She is a very happy baby, loves being around people, loves socializing and being out - she is a lot of fun."

Anna Tippet and Murielle Jayer with Elise. (TFP fertility UK/Anna Tippet via SWNS)

Anna, a lecturer in criminology, and Murielle, a sales manager, met at an LGBTQ+ networking group set up by Murielle 10 years ago.

They hit it off and were dating for three years before they started talking about having a family.

Anna said: "We went to a lot of adoption information evenings. IVF wasn't on our radar at first.

"Then a friend of ours ended up doing IVF and told us a lot about it so we went to explore the option."

In June 2020, the couple started their first cycle at TFP Thames Valley Fertility.

Anna said: "As a same-sex couple obviously you go into it and you don't really know much about your fertility.

"It was a shock to have these 12 good eggs, that only ended up with one viable embryo."

Anna Tippet and Murielle Jayer. (TFP fertility UK/Anna Tippet via SWNS)

"We had the embryo transferred on our anniversary, I got a positive pregnancy test but then yeah, a few days after that I started bleeding - it was a very early miscarriage.

"We were confused and shocked.

"Even though a miscarriage is a horrible thing, it is still a good thing the fact my body had managed to have a pregnancy."

Anna said the run of miscarriages was a strange time for her and Murielle, especially during the pandemic.

She said: "It meant that particularly for our first and second cycle we didn't have PCR tests. We didn't have lateral flow tests.

"We had to shield, when the rest of the world wasn't shielding and when the lockdown was lifted, we stayed locked up.

"It was a tough time as in normal times you would be able to distract yourself but you couldn't do anything. It really was my partner and I locked up for well over a year.

"Also, seeing friends get pregnant around the time that I would get pregnant - and their pregnancies would continue and mine would not - that was very difficult."

Anna got pregnant with twins on May 9, 2021, but started bleeding and lost one at eight-and-a-half weeks.

Anna said: "I honestly had thought we lost both of them. She just held on and she is still holding on.

"She is a miracle for us.

"Unfortunately the birth was quite traumatic. She didn't cry when she was born.

"It wasn't a magical moment - I would say it is a very stressful and emotional moment.

"I think it takes a bit longer in a way to accept you have a child because you think they are going to vanish into thin air.

"We often look back at the photos of the first few weeks and we can't believe that she is ours.

"The team at TFP fertility UK has been really supportive throughout our whole journey, it was a tough road but completely worth it."

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