History of IVF
I didn’t realise my hilarious ‘massive balls’ would make me infertile
When Shaun’s testicles became very swollen whilst he was ill with mumps he thought it was hilarious and so did his friends. He was in his early twenties and looking forward to making a full recovery and jetting off on a ‘lads’ holiday’. Many years later however, he came to realise that it had in fact been no laughing matter – as he explains in this guest blog for Bourn Hall Clinic.
Milestones in IVF: 1978 – the birth of the world’s first IVF baby
The birth of the world’s first ‘test-tube baby’ in 1978 was the catalyst for IVF (in vitro fertilisation) techniques that have revolutionised fertility treatment, and led to the formation of Bourn Hall in 1980.
Milestones in IVF: 1972 – celebrating 50 years of the British Fertility Society
The 2nd tree in Elizabeth’s Wood, planted by Lyla, celebrates 50 years of the British Fertility Society, established by Patrick Steptoe in 1972.
Milestones in IVF: 1968 – the first human fertilization outside the body
In December 1968 Robert Edwards, together with Barry Bavister and Patrick Steptoe, submitted a paper to Nature in which IVF in humans was described convincingly for the first time.
The only way for Santa’s sleigh is Wickford at Christmas
This year’s hugely popular Wickford At Christmas Street Fair is taking place on Sunday 27th November in Wickford High Street from 12 to 5pm.
We lobbied MPs for fairer funding of IVF in Essex
Katy and Leigh were not eligible for NHS-funded IVF treatment when they moved to a house in Essex five miles up the road from their previous one. They wrote to their local MP, Mark Francois, and also Matt Hancock, who was Health Secretary at the time, to lobby for equal NHS funding of IVF in Essex.
Is NHS IVF funding in Mid and South Essex going to be given a second chance?
When Amanda and Michael from Wickford in Essex were told they needed IVF treatment in 2016 they were initially entitled to three rounds of NHS-funded treatment – but once treatment had started their local CCG took the decision to withdraw funding. “It added to our stress immeasurably” says Amanda who is hoping that funding could at last be reinstated for others in her locality.
Chance to remove the postcode lottery for IVF funding in Mid and South Essex
There is currently a postcode lottery for patients seeking fertility treatment in Essex. Where you live, or who your GP is, can dictate whether or not you are eligible for NHS funding for IVF treatment. Now there is a chance to change this.
#TalkFertility – I really needed to talk about our infertility journey
“Experiencing infertility and going through IVF is something that only those who go through it can fully understand,” says Eloise who had successful IVF at Bourn Hall Clinic. “Sometimes I just really needed to talk about how I was feeling but none of my close friends were in the same position.
How IVF has changed our lives
Five little Elizabeths were among the Bourn Hall babies who have helped the Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Mrs Julie Spence, to create ‘Elizabeth’s Wood’ as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.
Find out how can we help you
To make an appointment, or to find out how we can help, please contact us.
Patient reviews you can trust
Genuine experiences from real patients. See why so many trust us with their fertility care.
“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
“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