Meagan Randall one of the country’s first IVF conceived Australians and the first Queensland IVF baby, has delivered she and her husband Adam’s naturally conceived child Charley Aspen.  Born at 10.12pm on Saturday 12 June, Charley weighed in at 4.2kg following a natural delivery at the Mater Private Hospital in Brisbane.

Charley’s arrival comes on the eve of the 30^th birthday of Candice Reed, Australia’s first IVF conceived child, on June 23. 

In another first, Meagan’s obstetrician, Dr. Doug Keeping of the Queensland Fertility Group, was the same obstetrician who delivered her and her twin brother Matthew on 17 March 1984.  Meagan’s parents had unexplained infertility.  They had tried to conceive naturally for 13 years before turning to the then fledgling science of IVF in their desperation to have a family.  Dr John Henessey one of the pioneers of IVF and founder of Queensland Fertility Group, helped Meagan’s parents Jenny & Ian Leslie to conceive on their very first attempt at IVF.  Dr Keeping says it has given him great personal satisfaction to see Meagan in such good health go on to become a mother of her own.

Meagan and her husband Adam conceived on their first month of trying for a baby.  Meagan admits that as an IVF baby, she was always aware that fertility could be an issue for anyone and was relieved when she fell pregnant so soon.

“As my parents had trouble conceiving, it was in the back of my mind that I could have trouble when I tried for a family of my own.  Adam and I planned this pregnancy very carefully and I confess I did a lot of reading and research before trying,” Meagan said.

“I tried to do all the right things, so I took multivitamins and folate.  I got to know my cycle over a 10 month period so I knew when I was ovulating.  I talked to my GP and made sure my rubella was up to date.  It seems all the preparation was worthwhile as we now have a beautiful, and very healthy daughter of our own.”

 “Meagan’s pregnancy achieved without medical assistance is evidence that children born through IVF can enjoy naturally conceived pregnancy like most Australians,” said Sandra Dill CEO of ACCESSAustralia, the country’s national infertility support network.

“We congratulate Meagan and Adam on the arrival of Charley, part of a new generation made possible thanks to the work of the IVF doctors and scientists. We look forward to many other arrivals from other IVF conceived adults in the coming years,” Ms Dill added.

Dr Doug Keeping of the Queensland Fertility Group added his congratulations.

“It is simply wonderful to see a baby that you delivered grow up and start having their own family.  It’s a very special experience for an obstetrician.  Better yet, given Meagan was conceived via IVF, to see that she has  been able to conceive naturally and deliver a healthy baby like Charley, well that’s just the icing on the cake, ” Dr Keeping said.

Last year, approximately 10,000 babies were born in Australia following IVF or other Assisted Reproductive Technology intervention.