Barren woman gets miracle baby after doctors superglue embryo in her womb

Milton Keynes, England: Ethan Riley survived thanks to a radical new technique called Embryoglue, which involves an implanted embryo being stuck to the side of a mum's womb.

Meet Ethan Riley, the miracle baby who survived because ­doctors superglued him into his mother’s womb, writes Lucy Laing in the Sunday People .

His arrival thanks to a ­remarkable new fertility treatment ended 15 years of agony for proud parents Emma, 43, and Paul, 42.

The couple had been trying for a family since 1999, five years after their wedding, but Emma ­repeatedly failed to ­become pregnant.

Then in December 2012 they decided to try IVF treatment . Emma’s eggs were collected and ­fertilised with her ­husband’s sperm at CARE Fertility in Milton Keynes, Bucks.

And before transplanting an embryo into her womb, doctors suggested they try a radical new technique called Embryoglue to help ensure Emma had a successful full term.

The procedure, introduced only 18 months ago, increases the ability of an implanted embryo to stick to the side of a mother’s womb by first dipping it into a gluey substance.

Emma, who works for a building firm, said: “After several years of trying for a baby nothing had happened.

“We had numerous tests but the ­doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with either of us. We kept on trying for years but had no luck. The tests kept coming back negative.

“Doctors monitored my monthly cycles and I had fertility drugs pumped into me. Nothing seemed to help. It was so ­upsetting. Then I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, which made it even more difficult for me to fall pregnant.

“I thought I was destined never to become a mum. It was heartbreaking. My dream of motherhood seemed to be getting further and further away.

“We tried to never give up hope. We always told ourselves it would happen one day. But it was difficult.”

Emma continued: “When we had the IVF treatment doctors managed to get ten embryos. But a few died and we were left with just three viable ones.

“It seemed our chances were getting lower. So when they suggested the glue we decided we wanted to give our baby every possible chance of making it.

“We waited 15 years for this. It would have been devastating for it to fail.”

Paul recalled: “We were very surprised when the doctors told us about this glue. We had never heard of such a thing but we wanted to give it a go.

“We had been through so much ­heartbreak we were willing to try ­anything to become parents.”

The crucial procedure took place in July 2013. One embryo was dipped into the glue solution and transferred into Emma’s womb.

Two weeks later the delighted couple discovered she was pregnant.

Emma, of Milton Keynes, recalled: “We couldn’t believe it. It was such an amazing moment. To be told that I was actually pregnant was unbelievable and we were over the moon.”

Ethan was born this March, weighing 5lb 15oz, at Milton Keynes Hospital. But not before a nail-biting pregnancy.

Emma said: “I started bleeding at nine weeks. It was terrifying and I was rushed into hospital. We had waited all this time and now it looked like I was losing the baby. But thankfully Ethan held on.

“Then at 36 weeks I started bleeding heavily again and I was taken back into hospital. But the little fighter still held on and was born a week later.

“I couldn’t stop crying with happiness. After everything that we’d been through, I was finally a mum. Having him in my arms made everything all worthwhile.

“It was the most emotional moment. We’d had so many years of heartbreak but now we had our miracle baby – and it was all thanks to a sticky glue. It seemed a strange concept for him to be glued into my womb but it worked.”

Paul added: “We feel blessed now we have Ethan. He’s such a perfect little boy and it’s all thanks to this glue.

“We will always been grateful to the doctors for making it possible.”

Research has shown that the glue increases the chances of a live birth by 8%.

A spokeswoman for IVF treatment providers care Fertility told the Sunday People: “This is a new form of treatment and it has shown promising results.”