Kirstie and Chris’s path to parenthood has been anything but straightforward. Diagnosed with premature ovarian failure as a teenager, Kirstie became one of Fertility Road’s youngest Journey participants, embarking on a quest that would take the couple from their home in Northern Ireland across Europe in search of answers. Their story is one of resilience, heartbreak, and the extraordinary compassion that exists within the global fertility community.
A journey through loss
After enduring two failed egg donation cycles, Kirstie and Chris faced their worst nightmare—a silent miscarriage. The heartbreak was devastating.
“I just could not believe that the pregnancy ended, it was our worst nightmare come true,” Kirstie recalls. She took time off work to grieve and process the overwhelming loss that had shattered their dreams.
During this traumatic period, hope felt distant. The couple began questioning themselves, wondering if they had done something wrong, though they knew logically that sometimes these things simply happen beyond anyone’s control. Yet through the darkness, their bond only strengthened. “Going through the miscarriage and the weeks that followed brought us even closer as a couple and strengthened even further the love we have for each other,” Kirstie shares.
A diagnosis that changed everything
Kirstie’s fertility challenges began unusually early. Diagnosed with premature ovarian failure in her teens, she became Fertility Road’s youngest Journey participant in her 20s. This diagnosis meant that achieving biological parenthood would require egg donation—a reality the couple had accepted but one that made their path to parenthood uniquely complex.
Following an unsuccessful cycle at home in 2016, Kirstie and Chris were selected to participate in Fertility Road’s Journey project in 2018. Their journey would take them from Northern Ireland to Spain via the Greek Isles, searching for the medical expertise that could help them achieve their dream.
Clinica Tambre offers new hope
When Fertility Road’s editor, Andrew, approached Clinica Tambre in Madrid about Kirstie and Chris’s case, the clinic’s response was immediate and remarkable. After reviewing the couple’s medical notes, Tambre not only agreed to help but offered something extraordinary—a free treatment cycle.
“We both cried with joy and disbelief,” Kirstie remembers. “We felt really blessed to have another chance in another place. We were on top of the world.”
Their research into Clinica Tambre revealed a clinic with four decades of experience, established in Madrid with a reputation for helping individuals and couples with complex fertility cases. The clinic’s generous offer wasn’t just about medical expertise—it demonstrated an ethical and caring approach that gave the couple renewed hope.
“After doing some research around Tambre, they really do sound like a top-class clinic and we just can’t wait to go there and meet everyone,” Kirstie shared. The added convenience of Spain being easily accessible from Northern Ireland would make the journey more manageable during an already challenging time.
Specialized care for complex cases
Clinica Tambre’s medical team believed they had the specific skill set needed to help Kirstie and Chris succeed. With decades of experience in complex fertility cases, the clinic specializes in egg donation treatment—exactly what the couple required given Kirstie’s premature ovarian failure diagnosis.
The clinic’s confidence in taking on their case, despite previous unsuccessful attempts elsewhere, represented a new chapter with fresh possibilities and expert care tailored to their unique medical needs.
The support that made all the difference
Throughout their journey, the couple received unwavering support from Andrew at Fertility Road, who maintained close contact during their most difficult moments. “Andrew was there every time offering his advice,” Kirstie notes, crediting his kind nature and personal approach as instrumental during their grieving period.
This holistic support—combining medical expertise from Clinica Tambre with emotional guidance from their Fertility Road team—created a safety net that helped the couple feel supported on every level of their journey.
Preparing for a new chapter in Madrid
Even in their darkest moments, Kirstie and Chris held onto their dream. “We knew deep down in our hearts that we can never give up on our dream of having a child,” Kirstie explains. Both are firm believers that “all your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.”
As they prepared to travel to Spain, excitement began to replace despair. “We feel ready to start our new chapter in Spain,” Kirstie said. “This year has been a rollercoaster already and as I write this, it’s only September! There is now light at the end of the tunnel in the form of Clinica Tambre.”
Hope on the horizon
As Kirstie and Chris prepared to begin their treatment at Clinica Tambre, they looked forward to meeting the clinic team and working together toward their dream of parenthood. Fertility Road committed to accompanying them throughout this journey, sharing updates on consultations, treatment, and hopefully, a successful outcome.
Words of encouragement: never give up
Kirstie’s message to others facing similar struggles is clear and heartfelt: “I would advise anyone not to give up and to keep going.”
She acknowledges the reality of the journey: “IVF is such a tough journey to go on. There are difficult moments throughout each and every journey.” The couple themselves struggled many times over the years to remain hopeful.
But her final words carry the essence of what sustained them through every setback: “There is always hope and that’s what keeps us going.”
For couples navigating the complex world of fertility treatment, Kirstie and Chris’s story offers a powerful reminder that the right clinic, the right support system, and the courage to continue can transform heartbreak into hope—and possibly, into the family they’ve always dreamed of.
