Former Huddersfield University student realises publication and baby dreams
Sep 23 2009 By Hilarie Stelfox
ISLA McGUCKIN chronicled her traumatic decade-long journey through fertility treatment in a book called Pink For A Girl.
The publication realised one ambition – to become a professional writer – but, ironically, was about the death of another – her dearest-held wish to become a parent.
However, Isla has a new chapter to add to her book because in January at the age of 37 she finally gave birth to a baby daughter, a delightful and unexpected gift that came along when she had given up hope.
Isla’s story began nearly 20 years ago when she was studying for a BA Hons degree in textile marketing with French at Huddersfield University.
It was there that she met her husband Paul, an Irish-born computer engineering student.
"I had a whirlwind romance with a housemate,’’ she says.
"We got married in our early 20s and talked about having kids. It was something that we always wanted to do, but because we were young there was no rush.’’
After university the couple stayed in Yorkshire with Isla working for a food company in Leeds and Paul working in IT.
In their mid 20s the McGuckins decided to start trying for a family and when after two years nothing happened they underwent fertility tests.
But the cause of their problems remained unexplained. And so began what Isla describes as the "roller coaster of fertility treatment.’’
After a decade and several cycles of IVF the couple made a decision to abandon hopes of parenthood and get on with their lives.
They moved to Donegal in Ireland with Isla working as a consultant to the food industry and Paul setting up an internet estate agency.
Isla wrote her book, found a publisher and became a spokeswoman for couples struggling with infertility, even being invited to speak at the European Parliament..
And then last year the incredible happened. Isla discovered that she was pregnant.
"I was already a few weeks along before I realised,’’ she says.
"I think something at the back of my mind was saying ‘hello!’ but I ignored it because I’d been there – and been disappointed – so many times before.
