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Katie Taylor, 22, and Callum Oakley, 23, were diagnosed with unexplained fertility but were ecstatic when she became pregnant three days before she was due to start IVF treatment

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A couple has welcomed their "miracle" baby after they were given just a three per cent chance of conceiving.

Katie Taylor, 22, and Callum Oakley, 23, were diagnosed with unexplained fertility.

They surprised doctors by falling pregnant just days before they were due to begin IVF treatment, ChronicleLive reports.

The couple, from Wallsend, is over the moon with baby Thomas George after he was born at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary on July 11 weighing 7lb 1.5oz.

Katie, who works as a carer, said: "It was just amazing. He is a miracle.

"From being told we had unexplained infertility to this is just so surreal.

"When I looked into his eyes I thought to myself 'how are you mine?'.

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"He's all we've ever wanted. He's the best thing to happen to me. We've been through so much to get to this stage and it's all for him.

"We now want to make memories and show him the world."

The couple tried to get pregnant for two years without success and decided to seek medical help in November 2019.

Doctors were left scratching their heads as they couldn't find a medical cause for them not being able to conceive.

They were later diagnosed with unexplained fertility - which accounts for one in four cases of infertility.

They had almost given up hope of starting their own family but days before they were due to start IVF treatment they learned Katie was pregnant.

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They bought 50 pregnancy tests and a private scan, just to make sure.

Katie said: "Thomas is absolutely gorgeous. We couldn't believe he was finally here.

"We don't know if we'll have a chance at this again so we took lots of pictures and videos."

After giving birth, Katie spent the next week in and out of the hospital in pain.

She later lost her bladder control before collapsing to the floor in hospital after losing the feeling in her legs.

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Katie said: "I'd had pains in my toes and left leg but all of a sudden I couldn't feel my legs at all. It was frightening as I was on my own due to Covid too.

"I was scared I was going to be permanently paralysed."

Katie had an MRI scan which revealed a blood clot in her spine, which had become infected, and a build-up of fluid was putting pressure on her nerves.

She had a blood transfusion before going down for surgery to rectify the problem caused by the epidural.

Katie said: "My last kiss with Thomas before the operation absolutely broke my heart.

"I didn't know if I was coming back. I was crying, Callum was crying and it felt like I was being taken away from my family.

"It was a very traumatic experience. A midwife told me she had never seen this happen with an epidural in her 30 years experience."

Katie is now recovering from her surgery at home but is restricted to short distances when walking.

She said: "Thomas is absolutely thriving. He's a right little character, so cheeky.

"His face just beams. He's always smiling. I was born to be a mam and I'm not going to let him down.

"We're going to give Thomas the best life. We're now a family and he's loved so much. I feel as though I have a purpose now."

Link:
Couple with unexplained fertility given 3% chance of conceiving welcome 'miracle' baby - The Mirror