45 years of IVF bringing ‘Joy’ to people around the world

25 Jul 2023

Louse Brown with Kelly and Harlan

Louise Joy Brown was born on the 25th July 1978 after her mother Lesley Brown participated in a trial of a groundbreaking new fertility technique.

Since her birth millions of IVF babies, like Harlan, have now been born worldwide, bringing, as Lesley predicted, Joy to the lives of so many people.

Kelly was just 22 when she was told she had a low chance of having a baby after a series of ectopic pregnancies.

Baby Harlan was born following a single cycle of NHS-IVF treatment at Bourn Hall. Kelly and her husband Dan were successful first time and hope to try for another baby using an embryo frozen during their first cycle.

Dr Thanos Papathanasiou, CEO and Medical Director of Bourn Hall, comments: “The passion that drove IVF pioneers Steptoe, Edwards and Purdy was the desire to enable a couple to have their own child. This is a passion that motivates us today and it is an honour to continue their work.”

Louse Brown with Kelly and Harlan
Louse Brown with Kelly and Harlan

Gemma-and-Vic-with-Arthur-web

Find out how can we help you

Book a consultation call with our team to find out how Bourn Hall can help you on your fertility journey

Latest articles

Helen Turner

Does your company have a Fertility Policy?

Your boss may be the last person you want to tell about your fertility problems…

Bedfordshire mum’s baby joy after ‘grief cycle’ of infertility

Bedfordshire mum’s baby joy after ‘grief cycle’ of infertility

“It was like a grief cycle every month, it was so draining,” says Megan from…

Gemma and her three children (web)

Suffolk mum shares her story of joy following the ‘trauma of infertility’

“I still feel emotional when I think back to how sad I felt when we…

Patient reviews you can trust

Genuine experiences from real patients. See why so many trust us with their fertility care.

image (27)

“We went to an open evening at Bourn Hall Wickford and came away feeling really positive about the place. The staff were really friendly and the presentation was clear about the statistics regarding success rates and live birth rates; their data was very transparent. We came away feeling like we would really be looked after.”

Katy and Leigh are parents to Charlie after IVF

Patient 2023

image (27)

“We chose to make an appointment at Bourn Hall Wickford because of the favourable reviews. When we got there and met the staff they were just so lovely, making us feel welcome and explaining to us what tests would need to be done and what our options were; we just thought ‘yes, let’s get the ball rolling!”

Jess and Fran are mums to Nathan after IVF with donor sperm

Patient 2023