A BRADLEY mother has spoken about the emotional rollercoaster of undergoing IVF treatment after her husband had cancer.

The highs and lows of undergoing the treatment were highlighted by Emma and Alistair Harrison when they featured in the ITV programme - "Precious Babies".

Emma, 38, and Alistair, 37, of Lidget Croft, agreed to take part after they were approached by the film crew while undergoing IVF treatment at Leeds General Infirmary.

Their struggle to have a second child began when the couple heard the devastating news that Alistair had Hodgkin's Disease in 1997. Emma was pregnant with their first child, Thomas, at the time.

Alistair, a printer, underwent an intensive course of chemotherapy at Steeton's Airedale Hospital. The couple knew their chances of having more children would be affected and so some of Alistair's sperm was frozen.

When Thomas was aged one, the couple started trying for another baby and were eventually referred for IVF treatment. Unfortunately, the first attempt didn't work.

"It was absolutely devastating because I felt like I was pregnant the first time," Emma said.

Because the treatment was being done on the NHS, the couple had to wait an agonising two years to try again.

Emma said: "We decided that this would be our last try - the whole process is very stressful."

But the couple's dreams came true after a second attempt. Emma became pregnant with twins, but sadly, one baby died in the womb at eight weeks. However, the other survived and Max John was born on October 5 2004, weighing 8lbs 4oz.

Emma and Thomas, now aged seven, sat and watched themselves on "Precious Babies" last week, but Alistair, who is now free from cancer, will view the programme in his own time.

Emma explained: "We did the programme because we wanted to show people the process of going through IVF. People think you can just pop along and get a baby."