Rushden family looking forward to first Christmas with "dream" IVF baby

Hannah Bartlett and her husband Chris, from Rushden, started IVF with CARE in Northampton in January.

Hannah had sadly experienced three miscarriages so her IVF was NHS funded but delivered through CARE.

Just nine months later, Hannah and Chris welcomed baby Louie in September.

Hannah said: "It's amazing, an absolute dream come true.

"He was born September 22, he was six weeks premature."

The new mother said she knew her IVF experience had been really fast compared to other couples and said: "It was our first round of IVF and our first embryo transfer.

"We were really lucky."

With baby Louie's first Christmas approaching, Hannah said: "We are excited to be sharing it just the three of us, I usually cook for 15 people so it will be nice and chilled.

"It's amazing, it feels like he's always been here.

"He's so content, he's just lovely."

Hannah said the treatment from CARE had been fantastic and said: "They were amazing, absolutely amazing, they are so supportive."

She said she's sharing her experience to give other couples going through the same experience some hope.

Hannah said: "I know somebody that just had her first round. If [our story] gives other people hope then that's all you can have really."

Hannah and Chris have three more frozen embryos and she added: "Hopefully we will have the next transfer in the near future."

CARE's medical director, Dr Rahnuma Kazem, said: "We are delighted to welcome Louie into the growing CARE family. It was a pleasure to help Hannah and Chris have their much-wanted son and we all send our best wishes to them this Christmas."