After being told by doctors that even IVF wouldn’t help her fall pregnant, new mum Charlotte Parker went on to give birth to triplets. We take a look at the impact of fertility issues, infertility treatments and the role that Pregnacare can help play if you are trying for a baby.

After failing to fall pregnant, Charlotte Parker was told by doctors that it was almost impossible that she would ever have a baby, even if she tried IVF.

However, she then went on to give birth to triplets, who were born in the same year as she gave birth to her first son.

A week before Charlotte and her husband Billy were due at a fertility clinic to talk about the potential of using an egg donor, Charlotte realised her period was a week late.

After being convinced to take a pregnancy test, despite protesting that there was no point, the first test was positive, as were the next seven tests she took.

Charlotte and Billy were thrilled to became parents in September 2016 after their son Lewis was born following a problem-free pregnancy.

Shortly after Lewis was born, the couple decided to try for more children. The only change Charlotte made was to take Pregnacare Conception supplements. And just months later, the couple were amazed to take another positive test.

Charlotte initially thought she might be having twins because she felt more tired and sick than she had with Lewis. However, she was actually expecting triplets. So after initially being told it was impossible that they would have a baby, they went on to have four children in just 11 months.

'We felt very lucky to have Lewis and thought we would like another baby. We didn't think we would be so lucky again but just thought we would see what happened.’ Says Charlotte.

'We didn't have any fertility treatment, I just didn't go back on the pill and was on Pregnacare…It was an amazing feeling, we couldn't believe it.’

'We felt very lucky to have Lewis and thought we would like another baby. We didn't think we would be so lucky again but just thought we would see what happened.’ Says Charlotte.

'We didn't have any fertility treatment, I just didn't go back on the pill and was on Pregnacare…It was an amazing feeling, we couldn't believe it.’

Infertility is defined by the NHS as failing to get pregnant despite having regular unprotected sex. It is usually only usually diagnosed when a couple haven't managed to conceive after one year of trying.

There are two types of infertility:

• Primary infertility – where someone who's never conceived a child in the past has difficulty falling pregnant
• Secondary infertility – where someone has had one or more pregnancies in the past but is having difficulty conceiving again.

According to Pregnacare charity partner Fertility Network UK, as many as 3.5 million people have some experience with fertility issues in the UK. Even if this isn't or wasn't you directly, it's likely that you know someone - a friend, relative or family member - who has struggled to conceive at some point.

There are many potential causes of infertility, from age to lifestyle and medical reasons.

If infertility is something that has affected you, don’t panic. There are many medical options and different types of infertility treatments, from medication to help with ovulation, to surgical procedures and assisted conception including IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) IVF (In vitro fertilisation) or assisted conception using donor eggs.

It is advised to see your doctor if you are not pregnant after a year of trying, or earlier if you are aged 36 or over or have a history of medical problems that might cause fertility issues.

IVF is a medical technique and type of infertility treatment used to help people with fertility problems have a baby.

During the IVF process, an egg is removed from the woman's ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised egg, now called an embryo, is then returned to the woman's womb with the hope that it will grow.

IVF can be carried out using your own eggs and your partner's sperm, or eggs and sperm from donors, or a mixture of both.

IVF is available on the NHS but conditions for treatment apply, including your age, lifestyle and where you live. The IVF cost if you have treatment from a private practitioner can vary. Ask your doctor for advice

Read more about IVF in our post on what IVF is and how it can help you have a baby.

Once you have decided to take the step try for a baby it’s vital to support your health and wellbeing during this time.

Pregnacare Conception supplements provide advanced nutritional support for women trying for a baby, are designed to be taken before you get pregnant and include 400µg folic acid, the exact level recommended by the UK Department of Health from the start of trying to conceive, as well as vitamin D and vitamin B12, plus zinc which is scientifically proven to support normal fertility and reproduction. It also includes specialist nutrients Coenzyme Q10, Inositol and N-Acetyl Cysteine.

Congratulations to the Parker family from all of us at Pregnacare and TalkMum! More information on Charlotte’s story is here.

Make sure you also read:

• Our Pregnacare pregnancy A - Z guide.
• Fertility Tracking and when you are most fertile