New Mum welcomes first child after endometriosis infertility struggles
New mum Codie welcomed her first child Noelle at Birmingham Women’s Hospital following years of infertility struggles caused by endometriosis.
Codie, from Birmingham, underwent IVF to have baby Noelle following a procedure to remove her fallopian tubes to treat her endometriosis.
She had always struggled with painful periods among other symptoms. After Codie and her partner, Demery, also struggled conceiving, the couple were referred to Birmingham Women’s Hospital’s Gynaecology Department.
Codie underwent a laparoscopy at the hospital, a diagnostic surgery where a small telescope is used to look inside the abdomen at the organs. During the procedure, doctors discovered she had endometriosis.
Codie recounted her experience: “I had lots of tests, including a hysterosalpingogram, a test that puts dye through the fallopian tubes to help see them clearer.
“The team really looked after me, but it was a painful experience, and it was because both of my fallopian tubes were blocked due to severe endometriosis.
“It started to sink in that I wouldn’t be able to have children on my own without any extra help. I’ve always known I wanted children, so it was really difficult for me to come to terms with.”
Codie then underwent a procedure to remove her blocked fallopian tube, and the other tube could be clipped rather than completely removed in a later procedure.
She explained: “I was off my feet for a while so I had to stay overnight, but the aftercare was so brilliant – everyone was so kind and understanding, and it felt like everyone could empathise with what I was going through.”
After recovering from the surgery, Codie and her partner decided to undergo IVF treatment with the hospital’s Fertility Team to help them fulfil their dream of becoming parents.
Codie said: “IVF and the whole process was completely new to us - there were times when we felt really lost and like we were in at the deep end.
“At every step of the way, we were reassured, even at times when it felt quite dire, and there was someone there to offer advice.”
They had seven good-quality embryos frozen, and Codie had a transfer at the start of 2023.
After the transfer, Codie found out she was pregnant with their first child on Valentine’s Day.
Codie said: “We were so excited the IVF had worked the first time, but the pregnancy wasn’t completely smooth, so we were very anxious.
“Our daughter didn’t move much during the pregnancy, which caused some scares, and there were a few times we thought we’d lost her.
“Towards the end of my pregnancy, she hadn’t grown as much as she should have. We decided it was best to opt for an induction, which turned out great as it worked really quickly for me.”
Shortly after Codie’s water broke, Noelle passed meconium and was appearing stressed.
She explained: “We decided it was best to have a caesarean birth. The midwives and nurses took time to listen to me and what I wanted, and they really advocated for my choices when I couldn’t really talk due to my contractions.”
Codie and Demery were then moved to a private room while they waited for the caesarean and were taken down to theatres shortly after.
She recalled: “It was all a bit of a blur, but everyone was so supportive and caring - it was an unforgettable birthing experience that I wouldn’t change at all.
“After she was born, they made sure I was able to hold her and have skin-to-skin which was so special, and we were able to go home within 24 hours.”
Codie’s daughter, Noelle, is now seven months old, and everyone has settled into their new family life.
Codie added: “It’s been the happiest time of our lives; we absolutely adore her.
“She’s so bubbly and loves to laugh, she’s just such a happy baby.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who played a part in the puzzle of putting Noelle together, when she was a few months old, we went back and visited the Fertility Team, and everyone got to meet the results of their hard work.
“I can’t wait to take her past the Women’s Hospital and say to her ‘that’s where you were made’”.