6 August 2018

Sophia's Story

"It’s scary to think that you’ll not be able to have a baby without IVF but we made the right choice by going to the LWC Cardiff and having our treatment with the best in the field"

I have decided to share my IVF journey so that people can stop being scared or reluctant to try for themselves. It is a beautiful journey, with an end result that allows you to hold your own precious little baby in your hands. I met my husband back in 2010 during a very hot and joyful summer. I knew from the first moment that one day he would be my husband. I come from a country where B-thalassemia – a blood genetic disorder – is very common. I knew I had the trait, and it turned out that my future husband had it too, but it didn’t worry me. I’d trained as a scientist and had a very good understanding of the process involved in such a pregnancy.

A couple of years after we met we moved to the UK to live and work. It was a difficult time but it made us become even closer and after a while, we decided to get married. We tied the knot in 2015, but up until this time we had never discussed our ‘problem’ of how we were going to achieve having a family. It’s scary to think that you’ll not be able to have a baby without having IVF, but I knew in my heart that we would find the best solution and that we’d make it work. When two people have the B-thalassemia trait there is a 25% chance of having a baby with anaemia. I know 25% doesn’t sound very much, but every pregnancy is a unique event. You’ll never know if your own pregnancy will fall into this 25% bracket or not. We decided we didn’t want to take the risk.

I am lucky to have married a man who’s very open-minded and is not scared to be different. He said ‘I trust you’ let’s go and do some research and make sure we get the best treatment that’s right for us. I knew from experience that IVF clinics in my birth country offer genetic disorder testing, since it is a well known condition there. So I started by researching, but the costs of having to go back and forth several times, as well as the stress, were not worth either my time or the effect it would place on my body. I was left feeling distressed, depressed and scared. Then I had the idea of having treatment in the UK. IVF centres in the UK are known for having the best results, and although I knew it would be expensive, it would worth it as I’d be close to home and more relaxed.

I started my research through social media, talking to people I knew and by reading reviews. But I was getting more confused and frustrated. That’s when I read about the London Women’s Clinic and decided ‘this is it’. I knew the clinic from when I was looking to work in IVF labs and I was really impressed with its results. The London Women’s clinic in Cardiff had the best results compared to many other IVF centres and treatments were not expensive compared to other clinics. Immediately, we made contact with the clinic in Cardiff to find out if they could help us and if they had experience with couples with B-thalassaemia. We were over the moon when they said they could definitely help, so we went to meet the doctor and visit the premises. We live and work in London and thought it would be a challenge to make the journey to Cardiff, but it was so easy and convenient to get there, with the added benefit that Cardiff is beautiful.

When we arrived at the clinic we were impressed with the level of professionalism of the staff and doctors, and in the labs and equipment. Our first meeting with the doctor took place in June 2016, she was very helpful and professional and explained the whole process step-by-step. She assured us that all the appropriate steps would be followed to make sure we got a healthy baby. I felt secure and relaxed, knowing we were getting the best treatment tailored to us and that we would be able to start a family really soon. After we had completed all of the appropriate scans, blood tests and DNA tests we began the treatment. A good amount of eggs were collected and fertilised, with six of them making it to day five embryos. When I found out that three of them had anaemia – I felt reassured that we had done the right thing by opting for IVF treatment. We decided to freeze the healthy embryos.

In September the treatment to implant the embryos began. During the whole time, including the beginning of our treatment, the doctor was checking and scanning me to make sure I was not overstimulated, checking that I was ready for an embryo transfer. I asked if we could use two embryos instead of one, but the doctor insisted that we shouldn’t because of the risk of a double pregnancy. She explained that both my age and the embryo quality would result in a pregnancy, even if we transferred only one embryo. I trusted them with all my heart, so I agreed and arranged a date to proceed with the transfer.

In October 2016 we completed the embryo transfer and the doctor was able to tell me that I’d got a 60% chance of success. I was over the moon! I wondered how they could be so sure and was hoping it would be true. Ten days later I found out I was indeed pregnant and couldn’t describe how blessed and lucky I felt. We had made the right choice by going to the LWC Cardiff and having our treatment with the best in the field. Today I have a happy and healthy baby and we both feel blessed. I would like to thank the team for making our experience such a positive one that was stress-free.

All of our blog posts are written, edited, or produced by the London Women's Clinic Content Team. This is a collaboration between our expert writers, health editors, and the leading researchers and senior doctors at our Harley Street clinic.

‘We have two beautiful children - our family wouldn't exist without LWC Brentwood. Can't recommend them highly enough; IVF is an emotional rollercoaster regardless of your journey and we were supported at every step. Pricing is transparent and easy to understand, with payment plans available that made accessing any treatment and medication very flexible and affordable. The clinic became such a part of our lives for that short time, the care and support is so important and LWC Brentwood were brilliant. Maybe we will see them again for number 3!’

Victoria Hayman

10 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the entire team for supporting me throughout my IVF journey. I am delighted to share that I had a positive pregnancy test following my very first IVF cycle fresh embryo transfer, and I am now 9 weeks pregnant! The staff at the LWC Colchester satellite clinic are very supportive, approachable and always do their best to help you at every stage of the journey. I would definitely recommend LWC Colchester to anyone considering fertility treatment. A special thank you to Dr Timea Kovats, a highly experienced, knowledgeable and to the wonderful staff Jackie, Annette, Tracey. Their excellent guidance, expertise, care and supportive approach played a significant role in making my first IVF cycle successful. I am truly grateful for their dedication, encouragement and support throughout this journey. I am equally grateful to all the staff at Colchester satellite clinic and the London main clinic for their care and support throughout the entire process. Thank you once again for helping us achieve such a special milestone in our lives. We will always be grateful for your support! ❤️’

jigu

10 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘Friendly, experienced and professional team. Supported throughout the entire process and would highly recommend.’

Mizzee West

10 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘The nursing team are so friendly and so supportive. Made everything so much better and easier to go through egg freezing.’

Megan Godber

10 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘We had a great experience as the team here are very knowledgeable and caring and they made us feel taken care of throughout! Big shout out to Rute & Trianni for their care and support 😊’

Chiamaka Nelson

9 November 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘The team here are very kind and helpful and made the journey completely painless! They kept us informed throughout the process and were always responsive when we had questioned’

Aruna Nelson

9 November 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘They've given us wonderful service very easy to be around. Very good communication, and very good at helping us out with everything they've done so far.’

Jessica Norman

9 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘We had a fantastic experience with LWC, Dr Rimington’s passion and expertise were second to none and we strongly believe that he is the reason for our success. All the staff were lovely, helpful and kind - we will definitely use LWC again’

Hannah Hale

9 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘I honestly cannot recommend this fertility clinic highly enough. From the very beginning, the care, compassion and support we received were absolutely exceptional. Going through fertility treatment is an incredibly emotional journey, with so many ups and downs, but the team made us feel supported, listened to and genuinely cared for every step of the way. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and every member of staff we encountered was kind, understanding, professional and reassuring. What really stood out was how personal the experience felt. We never felt like just another number. The team took the time to answer our questions, put our minds at ease and guide us through what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming process. We are incredibly grateful for everything they have done for us and will never forget the part they have played in helping us grow our family. We now have our little miracles, and we couldn't be more thankful. If you're considering fertility treatment, I would wholeheartedly recommend LWC. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping make our dream come true! ❤️’

Emma Hayman

8 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘Had a really positive experience visiting the Oxford Clinic. Nurse Manager Liv, took time to make me us feel at ease and explained how the appointment will go. Thank you!’

Kinga Arcana-Jones

7 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Everyone my partner and I have interacted with at the Oxford clinic has been warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They’ve really helped make a very daunting process easier to go through and I’m very glad we chose this clinic!’

Jess Palmer

5 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Very friendly staff and a lovely inclusive environment, had a wonderful experience here. Highly recommend for anyone looking at fertility preservation.’

T Ilagan

5 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘As an LGBTQ couple we found LWC Colchester incredibly supportive, no question was too much. They were friendly and welcoming, with modern facilities, and made your journey feel very personalised. We would highly recommend them for your fertility journey.’

Jasmine Colman

5 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘A massive thank you to Dom and Dr Vasquez for all of their help throughout the process!’

James Purcell

5 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘Me and my husband can’t thank everyone at London Women’s Clinic enough for all the care and support throughout our recent treatment. Everything went really well, and we are so grateful to all the doctors and the entire team for looking after me. A special thank you to Mimi, Dr Barbara, Caroline, Trina and Elena from Embryology team and the Theatre Team - Rose, Martin and Amy F. Everyone was so kind, helpful and reassuring, and it really made a difference. Thank you all for everything. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️’

IsadelandCyril

4 November 2026, LWC Harley Street

‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️ A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey. We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process. IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier. Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey. Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’

Alexandru Predescu

3 November 2026, LWC Harrow

‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️ A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey. We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process. IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier. Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey. Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’

Mihaela-Clemansa Predescu

3 November 2026, LWC Harrow

‘Simply Brilliant .’

Ramachandran Jeyamohan

3 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘I feel so blessed and grateful to have been under the lovely nurse Katie and Dr Kovats’s care. Everyone I encountered in the clinic on or off line was friendly, reassuring, thoughtful, and patient with me. I could feel the genuine care from Katie and Dr Kovats. I feel very reassured knowing they'd be there with me every step of the way; it is a great relief to have medical professionals like them on my side. They listened attentively, were reassuring, explained what I need to know thoroughly and were very approachable. Thank you to Carina, the friendly clinic coordinator, for always answering my emails promptly and being so helpful with all the questions I threw at her. Also, to the lovely staff member with blonde hair (I’m so sorry I forgot your name!) who did the ultrasound scan, thank you for being so attentive and making me feel relaxed. The clinic has a calm, relaxing vibe and is very clean. I have had a wonderful experience with the clinic and would highly recommend the team to anyone on their fertility journey!’

T Yang

3 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘We have used London Women's Clinic twice in the last two years for successful egg retrieval and two subsequent frozen embryo transfers. We have always been met with care, compassion and a personal approach. Every step from the initial consultation right through to the 7 week scan has been professional and polite, always accommodating our needs and timings. We can't thank the team enough for giving us such support towards creating our family.’

Lucy Richards

2 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘Myself and my husband owe it all to london womens clinic, they were amazing from start to finish. We previously were under another clinic and decided to make the change due to many reasons and we are so glad we did. They treat everyone as individuals, not everyones fertility journeys are the same. The small team at Colchester make it so personable not to mention how amazing all 4 women are that work here, their knowledge empathy and listening skills simply cannot be found at any other clinic. The list goes on as to why I would recommend LWC but everyone likes a to the point review. They genuinely care they dont treat you like a number and they help you through every hurdle that occurs. Our little boy wouldn't be possible without these 4, each of them play a bigger part than they realise. 💙’

Ellen Turrell

2 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘Wonderful punch of people, caring, competent, and efficient in all they do. It feels we are all in a mission together and they are invested in the success of our pregnancy. Thank k you 🙏’

Yasmine Mora

30 October 2026, LWC London Bridge

‘I couldn’t speak more highly of the London Women’s Clinic Oxford! From the moment you walk in you are greeted with such a warm welcome. The reception area is bright and welcoming and the receptionist is lovely. All of the staff are so friendly, helpful and polite. Going through this journey can be emotional, so having such a wonderful supportive, caring clinic to visit makes all the difference. Everyone goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and looked after. I feel so lucky to have such a lovely team supporting me along the way. Thank you all! 🍀💗’

Louise

30 October 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Incredible service and professionals. They made me feel comfortable and safe the entire journey. Thank you!’

Luciana Lombardi

30 October 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘I had an absolutely amazing experience at LWC from start to finish! There are literally no wait times so we were able to get started pretty much straight away after consultation. The process was seamless, with a lot of flexibility if you need to change appt time. Nurses are amazing and so supportive. Special shout out to Kate and Chris who were so kind and made the whole experience so much better. Also the nurses on the ward were absolutely amazing but I can’t remember their names. I’m now discharged as I’m pregnant from my first try! However I will look forward to returning in the future for my second embryo which is currently frozen 😊’

Kathryn Jessica

27 October 2026, LWC Bromley