World's first test-tube baby becomes mum
Sunday, 14 Jan 2007 09:00
Millions of babies have been born through IVF
The world's first test-tube baby has become a mother.
Louise Brown, who was conceived in the world's first successful IVF treatment in 1978, gave birth to a boy on December 20th 2006. The baby, named Cameron, was conceived naturally.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday Ms Brown, from Bristol, said: "He's tiny, just under 6lb, but he's perfect."
Nearly 28 years ago, on July 25th 1978, Ms Brown's own birth created headlines around the world after her successful delivery at Oldham General Hospital. Her parents John and Lesley took part in an IVF programme after being unable to conceive naturally.
Her birth was the first of many, with millions of babies now born through the procedure developed by Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe.
She told the newspaper that she was lucky that her and husband Wesley Mullinder did not have to use the IVF procedure. There had been fears that she may have trouble because infertility can often be inherited.
"We'd only been trying for about six months so it was obviously much easier for us than for mum and dad," she said. "I don't know if the fact that they tried so hard to have a baby had any effect on me but I have always wanted children."
Her sister Natalie was also born through IVF. She gave birth to a girl in May 1999, making her the first test-tube baby to become a mother.