Jennifer and Peter Organ of Kings Stanley, near Stroud are making the final preparations for the Christmas they’ve dreamed of since they married 11 years ago. . . with baby Thea, the baby they thought they could never have.

Thea was born just six weeks ago. Her birth – thanks to experts at the University of Bristol’s internationally renowned Centre for Reproductive Medicine - ended years of worry and private grief as the couple suffered the miseries of infertility.

Jennifer and Peter had planned to start a family at once, but when she failed to become pregnant they took medical advice. A consultant diagnosed unexplained infertility, although tests showed that Peter had a low sperm count. They continued trying until they were told that IVF – the ‘Test Tube Baby’ treatment – was the only way forward.

Jennifer (40), a nursing sister at Cirencester Hospital, said: “I’d hoped that nature would take its course, but I was 37, my body clock was ticking away and we decided on treatment at the Bristol Centre. Unless you’ve experienced infertility, it’s impossible to understand how upsetting it is. I told almost no-one and it was so hard being with friends who had children. It really hurt.”

The first attempt failed – the couple had already decided to undergo three IVF cycles. But the second, which involved both ICSI – injecting a single sperm into the egg and assisted embryo hatching – resulted in pregnancy.

Peter (50) said: “We used the full range of the very latest treatments – Thea’s birth would never have been possible without the very latest medical techniques and skills.”

Jennifer could hardly believe her good fortune. She said: “Those two weeks after treatment waiting for the result were the longest in my life. I was so nervous until I knew I was pregnant at last.”

Thea’s arrival at Gloucester Royal Hospital was very difficult. Jennifer said: “It was a traumatic birth - she emerged the wrong way and was bright blue. She was whisked away to intensive care and I didn’t see her for 2½ hours.  I couldn’t hold her or feed her for days until we had the all clear. It was so worrying after all we’d been through.”

They paid £9,000 for private treatment. Very little NHS treatment is available in the region because of the ‘post code lottery’ in the South West. “It was worth every penny,” Jennifer said. “The Centre’s staff were fantastic. We had our very own nurse looking after us throughout and I think she was almost as thrilled as us with Thea.”

Now Thea is at home, well and happy, and she gazes fascinated at the large Christmas tree in the family’s living room.

Peter, who was severely injured in a traffic accident, has elected to become house husband once Jennifer returns to work. “I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to it,” he said happily.

Jennifer added: “This will be our best Christmas ever – at last we’ll be celebrating as a real family.”