A GRAYS family have shared their tale of a magical conception - falling pregnant naturally just 18 months after giving birth through IVF.

Emma Topkins, 37, and husband Wayne had been teenage sweethearts and got married when they were in their late twenties.

They started trying for a baby shortly after their wedding, but every month brought with it fresh disappointment.

The couple began their NHS funded treatment cycle at Bourn Hall in January 2014.

They were delighted when it worked first time and Emma fell pregnant – giving birth to son Jake in November 2014.

18 months later the couple had a lovely surprise when Emma fell pregnant naturally at the age of 34 and gave birth to Archie in February 2017.

Emma said: “We had been trying to get pregnant naturally but nothing seemed to be happening so we were thinking that we would go back to Bourn Hall and then we realised that I had missed a period and that I was pregnant.”

Emma’s advice to anyone worried about their fertility is to seek help sooner rather than later. “We were apprehensive about facing up to our situation and then another month would go by followed by another one and then three years had passed. I really wish we had gone to the GP sooner,” she says.

“I would say to anyone in the same boat as we were a few years ago to not be afraid to ask for help. Even if you end up having to go down the IVF route it is just about dealing with everything one step at a time and not looking too far ahead.

“Everyone is so supportive. Conceiving naturally second time around with Archie just proves what a lottery getting pregnant really is.”

Bourn Hall Clinic, which opened a brand-new state-of-the-art clinic in Wickford last year, is hosting a free-to-attend Fertility Convention at Orsett Hall on Saturday, February 2.

There will be advice about reasons for infertility, boosting natural fertility, fertility testing, treatment options and funding and financing treatment.