AN EXPECTANT mum who became pregnant through IVF today sent a message of hope to couples hoping to have children in the New Year.

Paula Swinscoe is now pregnant with her second child following years of cutting-edge IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment.

Paula, 33, has also joined a charity which supports people who have had or want fertility treatment.

She said the charity was important because women who became pregnant through IVF treatment were naturally more sensitive about the health of their babies than other mums to be.

Paula, who lives in Bury Lane, Withnell, said: "We have spent so long believing that the body doesn't work that when it does get pregnant, we are expecting it to fail.

"When we do get a baby at the end of it, it's a shock. Mother's are very, very worried. It's quite scary.

"They are not necessarily ready for it because it's been such a long time coming. It's such a difficult path in actually getting a baby."

Controversy regarding IFV was raised earlier this year when a white couple gave birth to black twins following treatment.

The North-West charity group is called Acebabes, and held a Christmas party for more than 30 families.

Paula said: "We share experiences of going through pregnancy It can be incredibly scary.

"In my first pregnancy I was a nervous wreck."

Paula and husband John, 38, started trying for a baby eight years ago. After realising they had problems conceiving they underwent all the investigations, drug treatments and artificial insemination but nothing worked.

But they were helped by the very latest in fertility treatment called 'Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection', which involves the sperm being injected into the egg. It worked first time and two and a half years ago Paula had Jack. This time last year the couple decided they wanted another baby and tried again. Paula is now due her second child in March.

However, for each course of treatment there is a £3,000 bill and a lot of pain and discomfort involved, including injections every day for five weeks.

Paula said: "It is not a walk in the park, it takes up a lot of time. But children are so precious. It's worth everything you go through."