A WOMAN who failed to get pregnant after three rounds of infertility treatment has given birth to twins after a free fourth round of treatment for donating some of her eggs for medical research did the trick.

Stella Murdy, 34, from Newcastle, went through a rollercoaster of emotions as she struggled to get pregnant with her husband Phil.

Her first round of treatment at the Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life, Newcastle, didn't result in a pregnancy. During the second round she decided to donate eggs to research as part of a programme. Unfortunately her second and third cycles were also unsuccessful.

Usually that would be the end of the three rounds of free treatment on the NHS. But because Stella had made the donation to researchers at Newcastle University she was granted another free round and this time her twins, Charlie and Hannah, now nine months old, were conceived.

Stella said: "It was a really tough time going through all those cycles of IVF with hopes raised and then dashed. I was told during my second try that I could donate some of my eggs and it wouldn't lessen the chances of the IVF working.

"I decided to do that to help research and it was a bonus that I got another IVF cycle.

"It was amazing when after the fourth cycle they told me I was pregnant. It didn't feel real until I brought the twins home. They are my miracle babies."

Professor Alison Murdoch, professor of reproductive medicine at Newcastle University and head of Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life said: "It is great news that Stella has managed to have the family that she has always wanted. Many women have expressed an interest in helping donate eggs because they have family or friends who have been affected by these problems or because they are interested in helping our research. But we always need more people to come forward."

Women who wish to donate eggs altruistically at the Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life need to be under 35 Women must live in the North-East so that medical care can be provided Donors will receive £500 compensation Women who are having IVF treatment can continue to egg share for research and will have their treatment costs reduced by about £1,500, or to donate to another couple for a cost reduction.

To donate eggs visit ncl.ac.uk/eggdonate