A TRANSPLANT patient has finally become a dad thanks to fertility treatment at a Bingley hospital.

Tiny tot Poppy, who arrived on April 6, is the first IVF baby to be born after help from specialists based at the Yorkshire Clinic, much to the delight of her 44-year-old dad Michael Ireland and his wife Samantha, who is 29.

The couple from Baildon, who had been struggling to conceive naturally for five years, were referred by their GP to Bradford Royal Infirmary. After going through a series of tests, they had their care transferred to Orbit Fertility at The Yorkshire Clinic once they were ready to start IVF treatment.

Mr Ireland, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was just eight and had both kidney and pancreatic transplants in 2011, was found to have a condition called retrograde ejaculation, where semen passes back into the bladder instead of passing through the penis.

Mr and Mrs Ireland were put under the care of consultant Dr Virginia Beckett who also advised Mrs Ireland, who works as a chef, to put on weight.

Over the next 12 months, Mrs Ireland put on 22lbs and in July 2016 they made their first NHS-funded attempt at IVF, ten days later they got the news it had been successful.

Seven weeks later, they had a viability scan that showed all was well and at 20 weeks another scan confirmed they were going to have a girl.

During the pregnancy the couple kept as active as possible, surfing near Mr Ireland’s mother’s Devon home in Bideford and taking lots of long walks with Mrs Ireland staying at work on her feet until she was at the 35-week stage.

On April 6, little Poppy was born at Bradford Royal Infirmary by emergency caesarean, achieving her proud parents’ dream.

Now they are planning a naming ceremony for their daughter and Mrs Ireland is thinking about becoming an egg donor for families who need them.

Mrs Ireland said: “The treatment we received from the Orbit Fertility team has been brilliant we couldn’t have achieved our dream of having our daughter Poppy without them.”

In a message to couples considering IVF, she said: “Don’t be fearful, just go for it.

“You never know what might happen.”

Earlier this month, the new family went back to The Yorkshire Clinic to introduce them to Poppy in person. Dr Beckett said: “We were delighted to see Poppy with her parents. Samantha and Michael’s case was complex with health issues for both affecting their chance of conceiving and of a successful pregnancy. We all worked together to maximise their chance of success.

“They took our advice to adjust their lifestyle before treatment began and should be really proud of their achievement.

“It has been a huge privilege to be involved in their care. I look forward to seeing Poppy at our next baby party!”

Orbit Fertility relocated to the Yorkshire Clinic in June 2016 and there are plans to develop the service to help more people needing fertility treatment in Bradford, Airedale, Craven and Wharfedale.