More than 12,600 babies have been born following fertility treatment at Bourn Hall Clinic.
The Clinic was established in 1980 by IVF pioneers Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards, following the birth of the world’s first “test-tube” baby, Louise Brown.
Bourn Hall was the first clinic in the UK to:
- Freeze sperm
- Create a donor sperm bank
- Deliver a baby from a frozen embryo
- Offer IVF surrogacy
Steptoe and Edwards always dreamed of making fertility treatment accessible to everyone who needed it — a vision that continues to guide Bourn Hall today.
Double Joy for Bushey Hairdressers
It was Christmas 2010 when Joanna and Fran Harvey-Hobbs decided they wanted to start a family together. Following fertility treatment, the couple are now proud parents of four-month-old twins, Betty and Dolly — and say it’s the best feeling in the world.
Fran recalls the beginning of their journey:
“We carried out some research online and found a number of websites offering to help us find a sperm donor, but we didn’t feel this was the right approach for us. We went to our GP, who gave us details for both Bourn Hall Clinic and a London clinic.”
Joanna adds:
“I had a good feeling about Bourn Hall, and from our first consultation we knew we’d made the right choice. We were sat in the waiting room and there was such a diverse mix of people around us that we felt instantly comfortable. All the staff were amazing.”
Choosing a Donor
Selecting a donor is an important part of the process. In the UK, couples who conceive through treatment at a regulated clinic have equal parental rights, with both partners named on the child’s birth certificate.
Donor sperm is “identity released”, meaning children can find out the donor’s identity once they turn 18. It’s also possible to use a known donor, which is subject to the same regulations and standards.
Sperm is tested for sexually transmitted infections and “washed” to ensure only the highest-quality sample is used for treatment.
Because Joanna was over 35, doctors advised that Fran (then 30) would have a greater chance of success undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI).
IUI involves placing sperm directly into the womb close to ovulation. Fran began a short course of fertility drugs to stimulate egg release and improve the chances of fertilisation.
“I felt quite tired and sick but thought it was just side effects of the drugs,” Fran remembers. “I don’t think either of us thought I would be pregnant first time.”
An Unexpected Surprise
At seven weeks, Joanna and Fran attended their first ultrasound scan.
“The sonographer said, ‘Here’s the first heartbeat… and here’s the second,’” says Joanna. “I couldn’t process the information at first. I thought our baby had two hearts!”
Twins Betty and Dolly were born on 11 March 2012, weighing 5lb 3oz and 6lb 2oz.
“Having twins is amazing — the best thing in the world,” says Joanna. “We feel so blessed to have them.”
A Lasting Impression
The couple say they recommend Bourn Hall Clinic to others without hesitation.
“It’s just a lovely, lovely place and I can’t rave about it enough. The grounds are so beautiful, you feel very much at ease.”
Bourn Hall Clinic
High Street, Bourn
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
CB23 2TN
For all enquiries call: 01954 717210
Our phone lines are open Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm
👉 Learn more: https://www.bournhall.co.uk/about-us/
