Love in Real Life: Anna, Will and Baby Lilah’s IVF Journey

The journey to parenthood looks different for many. Unfortunately, 1 in 6 couples will struggle with their fertility. At Sims IVF, we understand the emotional toll of trying to conceive without success. The hope, the waiting, the disappointment- it can be exhausting. But you are not alone. Hear from our patients Anna and Will, who have shared their emotional and real journey to parenthood, hoping they will help others navigate the same path and inspire hope.

Hoping for a Family

From the beginning of their relationship, Anna and Will shared a clear vision for their future and that future included children. There was no doubt or hesitation. It was simply something they both wanted.

“We both love kids,” Anna says in the video. “It was never going to be an issue.”

Like many couples, they expected that starting a family would happen naturally. But after their wedding, when time passed without a positive test, they decided to look into support. Anna took the lead in researching fertility clinics and came across Sims IVF. The next step, booking a consultation was straightforward.

“I was looking up, trying to figure out how this works… I found Sims,” Anna recalls. 

The Start of Treatment

At their first consultation, Anna and Will were struck by how approachable everything felt. The process wasn’t clinical or overwhelming. The team explained everything clearly.

“The consultations were in plain English,” Will says. 

They began their first IVF cycle soon after. Like many others starting treatment, they felt hopeful and optimistic.Their first round had to be cancelled when Anna’s response to stimulation was too low.

“We were hoping for about 20 [eggs], we got five”

The disappointment hit hard. At the time, they felt they had failed, that things were going backwards rather than forward. But with time, they saw it differently. They began to understand that IVF involves many stages, and setbacks are part of the process.

“At the start, you think, this is it, I’m going to have a baby. You’re not thinking that maybe it won’t work.”

Trying Again with a New Outlook

Their next cycle was far more positive. They retrieved 24 eggs, and 14 fertilised. It was a much-needed moment of relief.

“We were over the moon,” Anna remembers. “The next day they told us 14 had fertilised.”

Even then, the number of embryos continued to narrow. By day five, only two were suitable for use. Initially, Anna felt disappointed, but later, she realised how fortunate they were.

They transferred one embryo, and 12 days later, they received the call they had been waiting for,  Anna was pregnant.

“It was just that relief,” she says. “We’re pregnant.”

A Devastating Turn

The early weeks brought symptoms and signs of progress. But not long afterwards, Anna experienced discomfort and unfortunately bleeding. A scan confirmed that the pregnancy had ended.

“It was tough. A really tough time, but Sims were very good, very supportive.”

They were left with one remaining frozen embryo. The emotional weight of trying again, knowing it was their last, made the decision harder. They took their time, and eventually returned to the clinic for advice on how best to proceed.

Another Chance

Their Sims consultant suggested a different approach, one that didn’t involve expensive testing but instead covered common causes of early pregnancy loss. Medication was prescribed to support blood flow and address potential minor infections.

“Let’s not spend loads of money on tests,” Anna remembers her doctor saying. “Let’s just throw the book at it.”

They agreed and moved forward with the final embryo. When the blood test came back positive, they were thrilled, but the joy was tempered by nerves. After experiencing loss, it was hard to feel confident.

“We were terrified, the scariest nine to ten months of my life.”

Seeing the Heartbeat

At their early scan, Anna lay on the bed with her eyes closed, too afraid to look. Will stood by her side. The nurse turned on the screen and quickly spotted movement.

“She said, there’s your baby, there’s your heartbeat, She printed us off loads of pictures.”

It was a moment they had dreamed about, and feared might never come. That small flicker on the screen marked a turning point.

Pregnancy Support and Communication

Throughout the pregnancy, the clinic stayed in touch. Anna found the messaging app helpful for day-to-day queries. She never waited long for a reply, and always felt that her concerns were taken seriously.

“There’s a lot of care in Sims,” she says. “They were as invested as we were.”

That sense of emotional support makes a difference, especially in the early weeks when uncertainty was still high. The small things, like quick replies or words of reassurance, helped Anna feel more grounded.

Lilah’s Arrival

On 5th December, Anna and Will welcomed their daughter, Lilah Louise May. It was a day full of emotion, not just because they were holding their child for the first time, but because of their journey to get to that point.

“Everybody says you’ll just love this baby when they arrive,” Will says. “And she had me wrapped around her finger that night.”

The joy of parenthood came with deep gratitude for the chance to become parents.

Reflections and Moving Forward

Anna and Will often reflect on how far they’ve come. They talk about Lilah with warmth and affection, but also with a sense of awe. After so many stages of treatment, they feel incredibly lucky.

“She’s so perfect,” Anna says. “We say it all the time, how did we get this lucky?”

They don’t try to minimise the difficulty of the journey. For them, talking about it openly has helped. Anna in particular found that sharing her experience gave her a way to process it.

“Everybody’s story is different,” she says. “But talking about it, that’s how I got through it.”

They now enjoy life as a family of three. But they also admit, with a quiet smile, that this may not be the end of their journey.

“We’d love another one, so maybe we’re not done just yet.”

Thinking About Your Own Journey?

If you’re trying to conceive and wondering what your options are, it can help to talk to a team of specialists who understand the emotional and medical sides of fertility. You can learn more about IVF treatment options at Sims, or browse other real-life patient stories that may reflect parts of your own experience.

Everyone’s story is different. But support, understanding, and clarity can make a real difference, especially when the road is uncertain.