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16 November 2009
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Helena

"What's that? I think it's a fairy. Oh no, it's a fly..."

Helena


IVF success

Helena

Helena and her parents, Jeanette and Barry, live in the Gloucestershire countryside. Barry is businessman and has two grown-up children from a previous marriage. He was 55 when Helena was born.

He and Jeanette had wanted children for some time, and underwent IVF treatment. They were delighted when they discovered Jeanette was expecting triplets. At first, everything went well. But at 22 weeks, Jeanette went into labour. Two of the triplets, Barry and Millie, were born but died.

Slow start

Helena

Helena was born three weeks later. After four and a half months in hospital, she was allowed home, although she still needed extra oxygen to help her breathe.

Helena was slow to develop. At 18 months, she was still unable to crawl and she didn't start speaking until she was two. But by the age of five, she'd caught up with her peers and was a happy, intellectually advanced and confident child.

New addition

Helena

In October 2004, Jeanette gave birth to a second daughter, Bella. Helena adores her baby sister.

Helena is doing well at school and has a best friend to share her imaginative games and sense of humour.


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