Couple celebrate Christmas with triplets each born two years apart
Excitement for the coming festive season is building in the home of siblings Cameron, Isabella and Gabriella Marks, a family of IVF triplets each born over a year apart, having been conceived on the same day with two of the embryos frozen and put into storage.
Parents Karen and James Marks of Taunton in Somerset received funding for one round of IVF on the NHS in 2017 at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM).
From that single round of treatment came Cameron in September 2018, with Isabella arriving two years later in September 2020, followed by Gabriella in July 2022.
Karen Marks said: “This is really our first proper Christmas all together as Isabella was in hospital last year and got out on Christmas Day. The kids are so excited, they ask me every single day 'Is it Christmas yet?' The magic of Christmas for the kids is what it is all about!
"It feels so great to have all three of our children now.
"Some people go through IVF and sadly don't even get to have one baby, and we've managed to have three, so we just feel so lucky. I knew I wasn't done before Gabi, so I told my husband if it didn't work, then we better get saving so we could have another one!
"We had five embryos made up. We've lost two - I miscarried one in 2019, and then one in September last year, a month before we fell pregnant with Gabi, who was our last embryo, so our last baby.
“I'm older now anyway, and I can definitely feel it. My last pregnancy was a bit more of a difficult one, and I feel complete now, I'm so happy. My heart is very full and my house is very busy."
Karen Marks encourages other couples struggling to conceive not to fear or delay IVF.
She said: “I never hesitate to tell people our children are IVF babies and I hope our experience will encourage others to try IVF if struggling to get pregnant.
“Infertility never leaves you. Pregnancy announcements can still be painful, especially when someone has seemingly conceived easily.
“It’s a battle and a journey, and while part of me believes there’s a reason we had to go through it, we’ve met so many wonderful people along the way. If you’ve exhausted all other options, then crack on and go for it. IVF isn’t as scary as we were lead to believe, and almost takes the pressure off a bit. Don’t be put it off or avoid it. It’s the most likely fertility treatment to work, and it did for us."
BCRM www.fertilitybristol.com has one of the best success rates with IVF and other fertility treatments in the UK and is involved in innovative research covering a range of fertility issues. The clinic is based at Aztec West, near the intersection of the M4 and M5 motorways, giving easy access for patients throughout the South West and Wales as well as further afield.
To register for a free open evening or to book an initial consultation appointment, email: contact@bcrm.clinic or call 0117 259 1159.
