A 51-year-old woman is defying the odds to have her third child.
At the age of 49 Helen Gration was preparing to send her two teenage boys off to university.
Rather than adjust to life with an empty nest, the York woman decided to do something about it.
Not feeling limited by her age, body or the menopause, Helen set about trying to get pregnant with her husband Harry, 68.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph she explained: "All I could think was: I’m not reading for motherhood to end yet. I’m not done. And then: I want to start again.
"That was just over two years ago, at the end of 2017, and now I’m 20 weeks pregnant at the age of 51."
Helen wants women to know that motherhood was not something only people in their 30s could do.
When her fertility consultant told her she could have a child but not with her own eggs, Helen was undeterred.
The couple started looking for an egg donor back in January 2018.
Restricted by British law that does not permit women over the age of 51 to be treated, the pair travelled to Cyprus to have IVF.
The process was successful but Helen contained her joy, aware of the many health risks surrounding pregnancies later in life.
But when a 12 week scan revealed a healthy baby, Helen was overwhelmed: "That was the moment I really began to believe motherhood was going to happen again."
The reaction to her news has been positive, she said, with numerous people sharing their wishes to have a child at an advanced age as well.
She is also determined to stay fighting fit so she can keep up with the child.
"I will remain active, and healthy, and be functioning well enough to get this child into adulthood," she added.
Helen, who left her new director role at the BBC to follow a new career, is no stranger to IVF.
She had 16-year-olds Harvey and Harrison through the process and opened a nursery shortly after their birth.
While she doesn't know the sex of the new baby yet, Helen confirmed that its name would begin with an h.
