IVF After Vasectomy: Overcoming Challenges Together
A Royal Wootton Bassett couple who met at work have become proud parents to a baby daughter despite the husband having undergone a vasectomy during his first marriage.
Their journey to parenthood was made possible thanks to modern fertility treatment—and a generous gift from the wife’s father.
Hoping a Vasectomy Reversal Would Work
Shona and Allen Payton married in 2022 and were excited to start a family together.
Although vasectomy reversal can be successful for some men, the couple knew there was no guarantee. Despite the significant failure rate associated with the procedure, they found the £3,500 needed to undergo surgery, hoping it would allow them to conceive naturally.
When the Reversal Didn’t Lead to Pregnancy
Unfortunately, the reversal did not produce the outcome they had hoped for.
Rather than giving up on their dream of becoming parents, Shona and Allen began exploring alternative fertility treatment options that could help them have a baby.
A Father’s Incredible Gift
At a time when they were considering their next steps, Shona’s father, Geoff Smith, stepped in with an extraordinary act of kindness.
Using money from an inheritance he had recently received, he paid for the couple’s private fertility treatment.
“We were so grateful,” said Shona, now 30, adding with a smile:
“Dad now jokes that he paid to become a grandad.”
Discovering Their Fertility Treatment Options at BCRM
“We weren’t eligible for NHS funding because Allen already had children,” explained Shona.
“However, we were entitled to NHS fertility investigations to make sure there were no issues on my side, such as blocked fallopian tubes or a low ovarian reserve.”
The couple attended one of the free fertility open evenings at BCRM (Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine) after hearing about the clinic’s excellent IVF success rates.
“The event included a private mini consultation with a fertility specialist who explained exactly what we were entitled to through the NHS, which was incredibly helpful.”
Fertility Investigations and a New Plan
Following blood tests and an internal ultrasound scan, doctors confirmed there were no obvious fertility concerns affecting Shona.
Their BCRM consultant recommended surgical sperm retrieval for Allen, followed by IVF using ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), a treatment commonly used when male-factor infertility is present.
Overcoming the Fear of IVF Injections
“I was really apprehensive about the IVF injections because I’ve always had a fear of needles,” Shona admitted.
“Allen practically had to chase me around the house to give me the injections at first!
“But once I got started, I realised they really weren’t as bad as I’d imagined.”
Feeling Supported Every Step of the Way
Throughout treatment, the couple say they felt reassured by the care they received.
“The staff at the clinic were incredibly kind to us, and we always felt so well supported.”
The Two-Week Wait Brings Wonderful News
Following embryo transfer came the emotional two-week wait.
“To our absolute delight, we discovered I was pregnant.”
At the end of January, the couple welcomed their beautiful daughter, Madison.
Grateful for Modern Fertility Treatment
“Every time I look at her, I marvel at what modern medicine can achieve,” said Shona.
“We’re so grateful to BCRM for helping us have our daughter and for the wonderful care they gave us throughout our journey.”
About BCRM
BCRM (Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine) is the longest-established fertility clinic in Bristol, caring for NHS and private patients across the South West and Wales.
The clinic offers IVF, ICSI, fertility preservation and a wide range of fertility treatments, alongside innovative research and consistently strong IVF success rates.
BCRM also hosts regular free fertility open evenings, giving prospective patients the opportunity to attend a confidential one-to-one mini consultation and learn more about their fertility treatment options.
