One year of helping create little miracles like Fraser

City Fertility Centre Adelaide is already celebrating its first anniversary after opening the doors of its first Adelaide clinic at The Western Hospital in Henley Beach last year. Even better though, it is celebrating the births of its first, much-wanted, babies for several families, including Tamara and Damien Simpson.

Little Fraser Simpson is only three-months old but he is already the apple of his big brother, Eddie’s, eye whose mum says “he is completely in love with Fraser and wants to hug him all the time”.

Fraser’s parent’s Tamara (33) and Damien (40) sought the help of Dr Marcin Stankiewicz, Medical Director, City Fertility Centre, Henley Beach after an unsuccessful year of trying to conceive their second child.

Mrs Simpson said ovulation problems had hindered her chances of falling pregnant so they sought help from the fertility centre.

The couple’s first full IVF cycle resulted in a successful pregnancy and the subsequent birth of Fraser.

“We are over the moon with our two little boys and haven’t ruled out trying for a third child yet but we will wait a while before we make that decision,” Mrs Simpson said.

Dr Stankiewicz said he has seen a steady stream of new patients during the clinic’s first year of operation and said that people needed to consider their fertility health, just as they do their heart, bone and skin health.

“For those who are lucky enough, having a baby is one of the most significant things people will do in their lives, but most take it for granted that it will happen easily, when they are ready,” he said.

“The fact is, that one in six couples has trouble falling pregnant,” he said.

“Fertility issues can be caused by a variety of factors including increasing maternal age, lifestyle, environmental factors and medical conditions among others.

“Age is one of the top reasons people have trouble conceiving. Fertility declines as age increases, women are most fertile in their twenties however due to a change in lifestyle many people are delaying having children until after this age.”

Official figures show the average maternal age in Australia has now reached 30 years-old.

While the age clock can’t be turned back, prospective parents can take other steps to optimise their fertility including simple things like managing their weight, exercising and eating well.

Dr Stankiewicz said, in addition, many common medical issues that impact fertility are mostly treatable including the conditions such as endometriosis, ovulation disorders and blockages.

Latest official figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) show that over 13,000 babies a year are born from assisted reproductive technologies in Australia and New Zealand.

For more information contact City Fertility Centre Adelaide on 1300 483 235 www.cityfertility.com.au

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