Joy has recently landed on Netflix, and this uplifting film is seen through the perspective of nurse Jean Purdy (portrayed by Thomasin McKenzie). She was employed by Robert Edwards (James Norton), an innovative scientist, who was embarking on a quest to assist infertile mothers.
They then sought the help of surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy) as they pursued their mission to discover IVF. Eventually, after enduring scepticism and criticism from their peers, Louise Joy Brown became the first baby born via IVF in 1978.
Her birth was hailed as one of “the most remarkable medical breakthroughs of the 20th Century”. She is the child of Lesley and John Brown, who had been attempting to conceive naturally for nine years.
However, as Lesley encountered complications with blocked fallopian tubes, their chances were dwindling. After seeking assistance from Jean, Robert and Patrick, Louise was delivered by caesarean section at Oldham General Hospital in Lancashire.
Her younger sister, Natalie Brown, was also conceived via IVF four years later. In May 1999, Natalie became the first person born from IVF to give birth herself, without the need for IVF.
Louise, now aged 46, tied the knot with nightclub doorman Wesley Mullinder in 2004, with Robert Edwards in attendance at their wedding.
The couple now have two children, and their first son, Cameron, who was conceived naturally, was born in December 2006.
She told the Mail on Sunday at the time: “We were lucky in that Wesley and I were able to conceive naturally.”
“We’d only been trying for about six months so it was obviously much easier for us than for mum and dad.
“I don’t know if the fact that they tried so hard to have a baby had any effect on me but I have always wanted children.”
In October this year, she graced the red carpet event for Netflix’s Joy, describing it as an “absolute thrill”.
“Standing on the red carpet with Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton, Bill Nighy and the rest of the cast and filmmakers of the film was surreal and brought home how my mum and dad are a founding part of this world-changing invention developed by these incredible pioneers,” she expressed.
“It was also fantastic to meet up with so many others who were part of the IVF story including John Webster, who helped Patrick Steptoe retrieve the single egg from my mum that became me and was there at my birth.”
Louise is active on Instagram and takes “pride” in being the world’s first IVF baby. She shared the trailer for the film about her birth story, expressing: “Am really excited about this, can’t wait.”
Earlier this year she delivered a speech at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre, where a play titled A Child of Science had been staged. The play revolved around the scientific work that led to her birth.
She described it as a “privilege” to be on stage sharing her mum and dad’s story, and was present to sign copies of her book, Louise Brown: 40 Years of IVF.
Back in 2015 she penned her first book, Louise Brown: My Life as the World’s First Test-Tube Baby.
Joy can be viewed on Netflix.