Life really does begin in your forties, according to new mum Denise Wells, who became a grandma 21 days after she gave birth to her daughter, Megan. Pam Wilkinson talks to Denise about motherhood.

DENISE WELLS had her first baby when she was just 21. It took another 21 years before she held her second baby in her arms.

And young Megan was actually born on the birthday of her big sister, Clare.

"I never, ever gave up hope of having another baby" said Denise, 42. "For 18 years I hoped and prayed that I would get pregnant. Gary and I went through every kind of test until I thought nothing short of a miracle could make it happen.

"When we first considered IVF treatment 10 years ago, the cost was more than £3,000 and we couldn't afford it. Checking it out again three years ago, we discovered it was £1,800 and if we did without holidays, we could just manage. It seemed like our last hope."

She added: "I can't explain why it was so important to have another child. We both adored Clare, my daughter from my first marriage, who was conceived so easily, but when Gary and I got married 18 years ago we simply wanted a baby of our own.

"Clare used to ask to have a little brother or sister and for years we simply assumed it would happen, but it was not to be. All my friends were having babies and everywhere I looked there were bonny baby adverts to taunt me.

"I felt I was failing Gary, although the tests proved there was no reason on either side why I could not conceive.

"For a while I looked after another little girl while her mother went out to work and our house was always full of kids, but I still wanted another one of my own," said Denise.

"On the surface we got on with our life - and it has been a happy life - but underneath was this deep longing to have another baby. When my sister had twin boys I couldn't help being envious. I went through a really bad depression, thinking if I had one child, why couldn't I have another? It got so bad that sometimes I simply stood and stared at people in town who had babies."

Denise wanted to adopt or foster, but husband Gary didn't agree, so they stopped talking about it.

She said: "I began to think I was wrong in the head to still want a baby, as Clare grew into a teenager and Gary and I both had good jobs, but the longing was still strong.

"When Clare was 17, she moved out to live with her boyfriend and the house seemed empty. I decided to try for the IVF treatment as a last chance, but everyone thought I was crazy to risk it at nearly 40. We were told there was only a three per cent chance of success because of my age. My doctor advised against it, but I was adamant."

Over the years, Denise and Gary Wells put a lot of time and effort into making their home in East Bowling a place of comfort and beauty. They had everything they needed - except a baby of their own.

"We have a wonderful print on our bedroom wall of a mother and her baby, which was the first thing I saw every morning when I woke up. This picture somehow fuelled my desire to have a baby. Somehow I was sure I would succeed in getting pregnant. I had consulted fortune tellers who told me I would have another baby, and every night I prayed it would come true".

Denise felt it was her destiny to keep trying and knew that however difficult, one day she would succeed. In spite of considerable opposition to the idea of trying IVF treatment at nearly 40, Gary and Clare backed Denise all the way. Gary even gave her the vital injections, which were very painful.

Denise did not have an easy time, either with the pregnancy, the birth, or afterwards, but Megan is a happy and contented baby, although there were difficult times when she first arrived home.

"Gary got really down. He didn't expect it to be so hard. She cried continually for seven weeks, day and night. She had colic and was not getting enough milk. I was feeding her myself, but had trouble with abscesses which made feeding painful. Now she eats anything and is very contented. Gary dotes on her and she is so special to us all."

An amazing coincidence completed the family's happiness. Clare discovered she was also pregnant at the same time as her mum. A second coincidence was Megan being born on August 19 - 21 years to the day after Clare was born. Then Clare gave birth to her daughter Chloe three weeks after her mother had Megan.

The babies are destined to be great friends as they grow up together. Clare is delighted that her mum has got the baby she so longed for - and is thrilled to have a baby sister at last.

Said Denise: "I just don't want to be called Grandma. At the clinic they think we are more like sisters, and that suits me."

She added: "My advice to anyone wondering about IVF treatment is - go for it. It is expensive, uncomfortable and I was ill throughout my pregnancy and afterwards, but it was worth it.

"Megan has made our life complete. I would cheerfully go through it all again tomorrow for another baby - but the family all say I should stop now and be content with Megan, and I think they are right."

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