A Derby woman who was herself conceived through IVF in the 1990s has now given birth to her own IVF baby, Hollie, after enduring five years of heartbreak and fertility challenges.
Lauren Gadsby, 33, and her husband Jon welcomed their healthy daughter on 8 December 2025, 16 days earlier than her due date of Christmas Eve. The couple’s path to parenthood included the devastation of three miscarriages, as well as chemical pregnancies and abnormal smear test results.
Despite the emotional and physical toll, Ms Gadsby found hope in her own unique beginnings. “Being an IVF baby myself instilled a belief that it does work, because I am an example of that,” she told PA Real Life.
The couple first began trying for a family in 2022, shortly after their wedding. However, after three years of unsuccessful attempts, medical tests revealed male factor infertility, making natural conception unlikely. Undeterred, they decided to try IVF, supported by fertility supplements.
Qualifying for one round of NHS-funded IVF in early 2024, the Gadsbys were fortunate to have several embryos from the egg collection procedure. Tragically, their first pregnancy ended in an 8-week miscarriage, followed by two chemical pregnancies. Amid the uncertainty, Ms Gadsby found solace in documenting her journey on TikTok, where she connected with a supportive online community.
After undergoing a procedure to remove abnormal cervical cells, Ms Gadsby was finally able to continue with IVF in April 2025. To their delight, she soon became pregnant with baby Hollie. The couple remained anxious throughout the pregnancy, paying for private scans to monitor its progress.
Hollie was ultimately delivered via emergency C-section on 8 December 2025 after Ms Gadsby was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. The family continues to share their story, offering hope to others struggling with infertility.
