27 November 2020

Using IVF with donor sperm: Kelly and Ian’s story

Kelly and Ian knew from the start they would need some help. Here’s how they found it at LWC Darlington…

We knew long before we started trying to get pregnant that we were going to need some help to conceive. Ian has a condition called Kleinefelter (XXY) Syndrome, which he knew had made him infertile.

Added to that, when I was younger, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which hadn’t caused me too many problems so far, but we knew it might be a factor when we tried to conceive.

By the time we decided to start trying, we’d had plenty of time to talk through what we both wanted, and the best and only route we wanted to take was to use donor sperm.

We started to look at routes to conception, and straight away we came up against issues of my weight being too high and related issues to do with PCOS. Although we’d been tasked initially to get my BMI below 30, blood tests had shown that otherwise I was fertile and ovulating fine.

It took so much determination to stay motivated and reduce my weight, in the end weight loss surgery was the only way I could lose weight and keep it off. Although this might seem extreme, it was a last resort and I would do it all again to be able to have the chance to have a baby.

We tried several times in an informal arrangement with a friend who had agreed to be a sperm donor. Although we will always be grateful for his support, getting pregnant this way just wasn’t happening for us.

“Although it wasn’t always good news along the way, we were still determined to have a child. And to keep going, we stayed strong together.”

London Women’s Clinic Darlington

In November 2019 IVF was mentioned for the first time as a possibility for us. We were delighted to find LWC Darlington, who instantly made us feel relaxed and comfortable with their approach.

At our first appointment we went armed with a long list of questions, and they were all answered by the team that we met. When we asked how long the process would take and were told four weeks, we were shocked it wouldn’t be a wait of months, and excited to get started.

Best of all, although my BMI was still slightly above 30 despite all my best efforts, we were told that as long as it was under 35, they were happy to treat us.

Choosing a donor

We wanted to match Ian’s characteristics as much as we could, while at the same time planning to be open with any child about where they came from.

We had great support from the London Sperm Bank, but choosing a donor isn’t an easy process when you simply get to see eye colour, hair colour, race and few other details. Availability of sperm changed quickly, and it was tricky to settle on one donor until we went through a process of elimination to select the right one for us.

We went through counselling with the clinic to make sure we understood all the implications of using a donor for us, our children and our families. Then we bought the donor sperm online and we were all set to go.

IVF treatment

Our consultant and nurse gave us step-by-step guidance as to what we could expect for our first course of treatment, and with dates and medication all discussed we finally had our plan in place.

Our spirits were lifted with what was finally happening, and after two weeks of injections and following our plan I had 18 eggs collected, of which 14 were fertilised, and one embryo was implanted.

After years of trying and waiting, that final two week wait seemed endless, and then suddenly our infertility journey was done, we were so happy that IVF had worked first time for us.

Our happy ending

We were very lucky in the fact that lockdown happened just as we found out we were pregnant. We had to go to our first scan for viability during lockdown, which was a surreal environment to be in, but it also started an exciting new chapter for us.

The staff at LWC Darlington made our journey so much better, as soon as we entered the clinic we were met with happy smiley faces, whether it be from Jane on reception or Lorraine in the office, and Jackie our main nurse was absolutely fabulous and put us both at ease. These people were interested in our journey from start to finish.

Now we are relaxing into the last few weeks of pregnancy and the realisation of our long-held dream as we look forward to meeting our baby girl for the first time.

You can read more about Kelly and Ian’s journey on Kelly’s blog, Our journey to parenthood the hard way.

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.

‘I honestly cannot fault Kind IVF. From start to finish, I have been so incredibly impressed with the care, compassion and professionalism shown by the entire team. Going through IVF can be such an emotional and overwhelming journey, but they have made the whole experience feel so much more reassuring and positive. Every step of the way, I have felt cared for, listened to and supported. The team have been amazing at answering questions, putting my mind at ease and making sure I felt comfortable throughout the process. You can really tell how much they care about their patients, and that makes such a huge difference during a journey that can be so personal and emotional. I am so grateful to everyone at Kind IVF for everything they have done for us. Choosing them has been one of the best decisions we have made, and I genuinely couldn’t recommend them enough to anyone considering IVF. The standard of care has been outstanding, and I cannot thank them enough for helping us on this journey. ❤️ Thank you, Kind IVF, for being so amazing!’

Georgia Burt

22 October 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘I highly recommend the London Women's Clinic Brentwood. The staff were very supportive, patient, and always available to answer questions. They guided me through an emotional process with clear explanations and genuine care. The staff were always available and happy to help.’

S Begum

21 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘Choosing an IVF clinic is such a big decision and I'm so incredibly glad that we chose this one. IVF can be such an emotional and overwhelming journey but having a clinic that offers so much support and genuinely cares for you makes such a difference. The care and kindness that we have received has been exceptional. We can't thank LWC Brentwood enough ❤️’

Laura Keary

21 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘I honestly can’t thank London Women’s Clinic enough for helping me achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a mum. It wasn’t an easy journey, but the team were absolutely fantastic and supported me every step of the way. Their kindness, care and reassurance made such a difference during what was a really emotional and challenging time. I always felt supported and in safe hands. A special thank you to Carla, Ana-Maria and Dr Goswami. You have all been absolutely fantastic and I am so grateful for everything you have done for me. I’ll never forget the support and care you have shown me during such an important and emotional journey. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for helping me achieve something I have wanted for as long as I can remember. It means more to me than words can say. I would recommend London Women’s Clinic to anyone going through their own fertility journey.’

Sarah

21 October 2026, LWC Harrow

‘We started our treatment in July, and I have had a very positive experience with this clinic. Lorraine on reception especially made me feel like nothing was too much trouble and always knew me by name which is such a nice personal touch, especially at such a sensitive time. Along with Dr Safwat Ashour he always recommended the best treatment for us and just had such a kind caring attitude towards us while explaining our options and being very honest with us too. One of the nurses (so sorry I can’t remember your name) she only recently started in July and I felt so at home with her and cared for. To finish off we are currently pregnant with our IVF miracle all thanks you this clinic. Thank you all so much, no thanks would ever be enough for the gift you have given us!’

Sophie Jay

21 October 2026, LWC Darlington

‘Very professional and very welcoming, and very clean I was given time to feel relaxed and I didn't feel like I had to rush this made me feel very comfortable.’

Ryan Harmer

21 October 2026, LWC Brighton

‘My wife and I have had a brilliant experience with LWC throughout our fertility journey. We always felt listened to, supported, and in control of the decisions we were making. Our PCC Suzanna, Dr Verstraete, and the nursing team were consistently friendly, responsive, and knowledgeable, which made navigating the shared motherhood process feel so much easier. We’re incredibly grateful for the care and support we received.’

Megan Nelkon

20 October 2026, LWC Harley Street

‘I’ve had a great experience with the clinic so far. From the very beginning, I’ve felt incredibly well cared for and supported throughout my egg freezing journey. Daenira on reception is always so lovely, welcoming and helpful, and Liv, my nurse, has been fantastic! She’s made me feel comfortable, reassured and well looked after at every step. Dr Wade has also been absolutely brilliant and I have complete confidence in the care and guidance I’ve received. I would highly recommend this clinic to anybody considering egg freezing.’

Saffy

20 October 2026, LWC Oxford

‘The most amazing experience with the clinic from start to end Nothing is to much for them They will answer every Question Worry or concern no matter how big or small, My experience and care they have shown in one of the hardest times and most worrying experiences they were there every single step of the way, I honestly couldn’t thank every member I’ve dealt with anymore and would recommend this clinic to anyone thinking about it , hardest decision but best decision every made and all the staff here made this possible for me you are all amazing caring people And I thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙏🏼🩷’

Stephanie

18 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘I truly feel blessed and thankful to God that we are in such a wonderful place and in such caring hands during one of the most precious journeys of our lives. The clinic has been outstanding throughout my treatment, making the entire journey feel as smooth as possible. The whole team at the Brentwood clinic is absolutely amazing, everyone is so warm, welcoming and supportive. The treatment has been incredible so far, and we are extremely satisfied with the care, support, and overall service we have received throughout our journey. Fingers crossed, I truly believe that the best news is just around the corner! ❤️🤞 I would wholeheartedly recommend Brentwood clinic for the care and support they provide in parenthood journey.’

Harika

14 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘London Women’s Clinic, Reading were fantastic and Nurse Nicky was such a supportive and reassuring professional. Thank you for journeying with me Nicky!’

Sope Adekola

14 October 2026, LWC Reading

‘Where to start… Fertility treatment is the last thing any of us expect to need. But if you find yourself on this journey, Brentwood London Women’s Clinic is where you want to be. Carina’s warm welcome sets the tone the moment you arrive, and every single nurse is wonderful, kind, calm, and reassuring. It’s a complicated and sometimes difficult road, but they walk it beside you. We’ve experienced both joy and heartache here, and through every moment we’ve felt cared for and supported. They truly get to know you, and the care feels personal and bespoke. Today we have our precious 3-year-old, and we will forever be thankful to this amazing team. They are everything you could hope for kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely there for you. We couldn’t recommend them more.’

Sarah Tidey

13 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘We honestly can’t thank London Women’s Clinic in Brentwood enough for everything they have done and continue to do for us. They helped us create our now 3 year old, and we are incredibly grateful to be back with them on our journey to hopefully have another little one. Angela and Katie are truly incredible nurses. They go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable, listened to and supported every step of the way. They take the time to explain the process, answer any questions and put your mind at ease, making what can sometimes be an overwhelming and emotional journey feel that little bit easier. It means so much to be cared for by people who genuinely seem to care about you and your family, rather than just seeing you as another patient. Their kindness, compassion and reassurance make such a difference, and we feel very lucky to have them supporting us again. We will always be grateful to London Women’s Clinic for helping us bring our little girl into the world, and we have every hope that they will help us grow our family once more. We couldn’t recommend the team highly enough. Thank you, Angela, Katie and everyone at the Brentwood clinic, for being such a special part of our journey. ❤️ Also a special mention for the smiley face in the reception. Carina, you are great!!’

bethan philp

13 October 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘Came here after my treatment at LWC Darlington as I needed to be part of the failed implantation team. The care and communication was second to none. It was everything and more, no question to my coordinator was never too much. They were extremely accommodating when I had to travel from up north multiple times and were always happy to let me have my then 2 year old son come to monitoring appointments. I’m grateful for their expertise in failed implantation as my 3rd egg collection was successful and my fresh transfer worked first time & I’ve just gave birth to my second LWC baby in September 2026. Would always recommend LWC - especially London Bridge / Harley Street.’

Jeni J

13 October 2026, LWC London Bridge

‘Great experience. Very kind and supportive.’

Jesylin Luka

12 October 2026, LWC Reading

‘My experience with London Women's Clinic Brighton has been wonderful so far. The staff are kind and patient, as well as exceptionally knowledgeable. I have had all my questions answered (and have been encouraged to ask more whenever!), and I feel assured that I'm receiving transparent, evidence-based advice.’

Jess Smith

12 October 2026, LWC Brighton

‘Excellent service, highly recommend!’

Lenka Kalafutova

10 October 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘Lovely people. Truly!’

Eve Reiser

8 October 2026, LWC Reading

‘My experience was positive throughout. The team at the clinic was friendly at every visit. Suzanna was always very responsive and kind and happy to answer any questions. Dr Verstraete was always empathetic and knowledgeable! Most importantly: the outcome is a healthy baby :)’

Mir

8 October 2026, LWC Harley Street

‘Thank you so much Dr Naware, Linda and Emmanuella’

Moyo T

7 October 2026, LWC London Bridge

‘Going through the IVF journey is always going to be difficult, but the team at London Women's Clinic in Harrow have made it the best experience possible. We've had constant support, check ins, and they have really got to know us and understand our concerns and issues. No question has ever felt like a silly one, and they've been incredibly accommodating when we've needed it too. The whole team have been amazing, but in particular Carla, Ana-Marie and Dr Goswami. We actually relocated away from Harrow 12 months ago, but have continued to go back to the team there as we've built such a great relationship with them, and their support through such a difficult journey has meant the world to us. I can't recommend them highly enough. And probably the important bit for anyone considering going to them - we're expecting our first baby in February!’

Emma Dunning

6 October 2026, LWC Harrow

‘I’d like to say a massive thankyou to everyone at the Cambridge London clinic there all loverly, with out you guys we wouldn’t be were we are today with our little journey of having a baby 😊 not only did they help us with our pregnancy but the amount of support they have given us has been incredible. We had to have a frozen ivf and as you can imagine we were so nervous but we have been lucky enough for ours to work first time and now my partner is 7+weeks 😊 the whole way through this process has been nothing but support and kindness all members of the team that we had dealings with our amazing and it’s actually kind of sad to be leaving but we would love to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for everything’s that you guys have done for us. If your looking at going through ivf process London clinic Cambridge is the best place for this. Again thankyou so much guys we will miss you all ❤️ (April + Ricky )’

Ricky Watson

5 October 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘We have been with the clinic for 2 months and I’ve never felt more at ease and welcomed, we were so fortunate to have our treatment work first time and be so lucky to conceive first time, the staff here are absolutely amazing and I’m so sad to be leaving to carry on our pregnancy journey! I just wanna say a massive thank you to all the staff here will be so sad to say bye but so so greatful because without them we wouldn’t be having our amazing baby that we have growing now! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!’

April Dearman

5 October 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘After a lot of research at the start of what felt like quite a daunting journey, we chose the London Women's Clinic Bristol and it is one of the best decisions we have ever made. From the very first appointment, we felt genuinely looked after. The team knew our names, remembered our story, and made us feel like so much more than just patients. That warmth and care never wavered - through the uncertainty, the hope, the waiting, and ultimately the joy - and we have now been through this journey with them twice. A truly heartfelt thank you to Ana, who has been the most wonderful expert and support to have by our side through all of this. Her knowledge and her kindness have meant more than we can say. And to Ellie and Kat at reception - always there, always warm, always ready for our questions - nothing would have been the same without you both. We are now a family of four, and we carry so much gratitude for everyone at LWC Bristol & Cardiff who played a part in making that possible. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.’

Coralie Estrade

4 October 2026, LWC Bristol

‘I am incredibly grateful for the care I received. The nursing staff and my coordinator were exceptionally supportive during the two weeks of hormone injections and tracking scans. They took the time to answer all my questions, which made a highly clinical and invasive process feel much more personal and manageable. The medical team during the egg collection procedure was also professional, reassuring, and kind. Big thanks to all of who were part of my journey.’

Chitra Banveer

3 October 2026, LWC 112 Harley Street