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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Adam Laver

Stepmum with fertility issues denied IVF because partner already has a child

A stepmum with fertility issues says she has been denied IVF treatment - because her partner has a child from a previous relationship.

Sarah Barker, 26, suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome, making it difficult for her to fall pregnant.

She and partner Chris, 30, have been trying for a baby but have so far been unsuccessful, reports Lincolnshire Live.

Sarah then went for a consultation on IVF treatment - where she says a junior doctor told her she wasn’t eligible.

“A junior doctor said to me ‘you are aware you won’t be eligible’ and my heart dropped, because it was as if I was being punished for being a stepmum," she said.

"I’ve helped raise my partner’s child, along with her mum and stepdad, as well.

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"I think in society stepmums are seen as being evil or horrible characters, but that’s never been me.

"The rules definitely need to be reviewed. People need to look into how this affects people’s physical well being and their mental well being.”

Sarah said the ordeal has also had an impact on her mental health.

“It’s like grieving a child I haven’t had yet," she said.

"You’re constantly longing to be a mum, but you’re constantly having barriers put in front of you.

“The mental aspect of it has been really really difficult. I can’t say it’s ever been easy.

"That can be days when you see a pram and your heart drops because you’re not being given that chance. Someone might announce their pregnancy on Facebook and I’ll sit and think, why wasn’t that me?

“The desire to be a mum is so strong and having my stepdaughter has made me want to be a mum even more.

"I want the chance to be able to get the first scan, feel my baby kick for the first time, buy a brand new pushchair. It feels like I’m not being given the chance to.

“It feels like we’re being discriminated against. If I left my partner today and got someone who didn’t have a child, I’d be eligible for IVF. That doesn’t seem right.”

Sarah has now started a joint petition with Billie Barnes and Jordan Smith, who are also stepmums, to stop denying women fertility treatment because their partner already has a child.

They’re already at more than 12,000 signatures, with support from Caroline Johnson MP, Alex Davies-Jones MP and Professor Geeta Nargund, who runs a private IVF clinic.

“The support we’ve had has been amazing. There have been so many people involved," Sarah said.

"There’s been so many women, so many stories I’ve heard. Stories of people who have had to decide between getting IVF privately or getting a house."

According to the NHS website, around one in seven couples may have difficulty conceiving.

Sarah’s campaign has the aim of making sure treatment is available to all of these couples.

A CCG spokesperson said: "We are unable to comment on individual cases.

"However, the IVF policy agreed across the East Midland CCGs, and adopted by NHS Lincolnshire CCG, applies to any couple registered with a Lincolnshire GP and is available on our website.

"It sets out the eligibility criteria, which includes family structure, that applies irrespective of where patients have their treatment, and has been drawn up based on guidance issued by DHSC, Infertility Network UK and NICE Guidance CG156."

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