After three years of trying and three IVF transfers, Jessica Savill and partner Ewan were unsuccessful in getting pregnant.
A complication from a previous emergency caesarean section meant Jessica couldn’t conceive.
She said: “On paper there was no reason why we shouldn’t be able to get pregnant, but it just wasn’t happening for us. After IVF not being successful, we went back to our consultant at Ipswich Hospital to see if there was anything else that could be done.”
Scans revealed Jessica had a tiny pocket in her womb lining called a caesarean niche.
Mr Djavid Alleemudder, Jessica’s reproductive medicine consultant at Ipswich Hospital, said: “Over the last few years we have come to understand how a niche can be a cause of secondary infertility.
“When repairing the incision following a caesarean section, the healing can cause a small pocket where fluid can build up and prevent sperm from reaching the egg which could stop implantation.”
Grace and her new baby brother Edward
Jessica was one of the first people to have the procedure at Ipswich Hospital in April 2025.
She added: “We’d been trying for so long and even with IVF we’d never had a positive pregnancy test, so I was anxious if this would work, but we had nothing to lose.
“When trying for a baby, you know your cycles inside out, so when I was one day late in June I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I kept pushing it to the back of my mind, but a few days later I woke Ewan up and we did a test. It was positive.”
Jessica gave birth to baby Edward at Ipswich Hospital on Valentine’s Day.
Ewan, Grace, Edward and Jessica (L-R), Photo credit: @ivorywhitephotography ivorywhitephotography.com
Jessica and Ewan, who are parents to seven-year-old Grace, felt Mr Alleemudder and the team really understood the fertility issues her and Ewan had been experiencing, and never felt her concerns were dismissed.
Being able to have this revolutionary procedure changed the outcome for Jessica.
She said: “Grace has wanted to be a big sister for so long and is the best big sister Edward could ask for. This procedure has allowed us to grow our family.”
Back row (L-R): Mr Djavid Alleemudder, Mr Rohit Sharma senior consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist
Front row (L-R): Harriet Attle, Helena Doherty, Jessica and Edward, Rebecca Savage, Lisa Barr and Sonya Herbert
Dr Alleemudder said: “Due to the increase of c-sections, the likelihood of secondary infertility due to the caesarean niche is on the rise.
“Increasing awareness of how niches can impact conception after caesarean birth enables earlier identification during investigations, helping spare patients the emotional strain of unnecessary IVF and reducing associated costs for the NHS.
“By introducing this information when birth plans are being explored, we help patients understand all their options so they can make the decisions that feel right for them.
“We couldn’t do it without our staff here – thank you to all the midwifery staff.”
