A woman diagnosed with polycystic ovaries was left feeling there was “no hope” of becoming a mother – but now has two miracle children and is helping others navigate the challenges of pregnancy and parenthood.
Lor Heron and husband David have welcomed Daniel and Matthew into their worlds after IVF, and she has also created the Blossom and Bloom Lanarkshire support network.
The online group is there for mothers, mothers-to-be and those on their fertility journey.
Lor didn’t always picture herself as a mother. When she was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries (PCO) at 18, she assumed parenthood might not be in her future.
“I always knew there was a chance it wouldn’t happen for me,” said the 39-year-old, recalling irregular periods from the age of just 16, including one that lasted a whole year when she was 17.
Though she didn’t suffer from severe symptoms aside from weight struggles, the diagnosis weighed heavily on her mind about conceiving.
By the time Lor met her husband, David, also 39, in 2016, the couple’s hopes of starting a family seemed increasingly uncertain, but despite this their desire for children grew stronger over time.
“At 32, I reached out to my GP,” Lor said. “But the doctor’s response left me feeling deflated.”
After a brief consultation, Lor was told to lose half her body weight before fertility treatment could even be discussed.
“I left feeling like there was no hope,” she remembers.
At this point, Lor and David began considering adoption. They were about to begin the process when they heard an advert for TFP GCRM Fertility on the radio. Curious, they called the clinic immediately, where a friendly receptionist reassured Lor that BMI guidelines at private clinics were different, and she wasn’t far off the limit at TFP GCRM Fertility.
Encouraged, Lor set out to lose the necessary weight.
“I joined a gym, followed a strict plan, and soon enough, I was within the BMI guidelines,” she recalls. Just days later, her IVF treatment was scheduled to begin.
In March 2020, as Lor and David were preparing for their first IVF cycle, the world went into lockdown due to Covid-19 restrictions. Despite the uncertainty, TFP GCRM staff remained dedicated.
“The lab technician promised she would sleep at the clinic to ensure our embryos were cared for,” Lor says.
Lor underwent a 14-day hormone regimen to stimulate egg growth, and in early March, 22 eggs were collected. The embryos were fertilised and left to develop naturally in the lab. When the nationwide lockdown was declared, the embryos were safely frozen.
“The hardest part was not knowing how long we’d have to wait,” Lor explains.
Four months later, restrictions lifted, and Lor and David moved forward with their first embryo transfer in August 2020. A successful transfer resulted in the birth of their first child, baby boy Daniel, in April 2021. In 2023, Lor and David decided to try for a sibling for Daniel. After thawing one of the embryos, Lor gave birth to their second child, Matthew, in March 2024.
Looking back, Lor reflects on the emotional challenges she faced throughout her IVF journey.
She recalls: “Being pregnant during a global pandemic was incredibly isolating. There were no regular appointments or antenatal classes. I felt alone and uncertain about everything.”
In response to this, Lor created Blossom and Bloom Lanarkshire, a support network for mothers, mothers-to-be, and those on their fertility journey.
“I want to create a space for mums to connect, share experiences, and support each other,” she explains. “My mission is to provide practical advice that new mums really need.”
Through her network, Lor hosts weekly pregnancy classes, first aid courses and workshops to help mums navigate the challenges of parenthood.
She said: “I’m not a medical professional, but I offer advice from one mum to another. I help them with things like what to buy for their baby, how to bottle-feed, and preparing for birth.”
Lor’s own journey was shaped by the unwavering support of TFP GCRM Fertility – which recently marked the milestone of reaching 5000 babies born – and she feels deeply grateful for the care and guidance that helped her achieve her dream of motherhood.
She added: “Every single person we spoke to at TFP helped us on our journey. The support doesn’t stop once your transfer is done. We are so grateful.”
Lor now uses her experiences to pay it forward, helping other mums who might be struggling with fertility, pregnancy, or motherhood.
She said: “Blossom and Bloom Lanarkshire is my way of giving back to those going through similar challenges.”
Go online to www.blossomandbloomlanarkshire.co.uk for more.
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