Delighted mother:

“I became a first-time mum at 50 – thanks to PPI!”

For 16 agonising years Alison John and her husband Phillip tried to make their baby dream come true.

Although doctors couldn’t find anything medically “wrong” with them, the pair were unable to conceive naturally. And they couldn’t afford IVF – until they added to their savings with a PPI payout of £2,000.

Now, after three attempts and one tragic miscarriage, 51-year-old Alison has a healthy daughter Megan – and is about to try for another baby.

FEELING GRATEFUL

Alison, who lives with Phillip, 58, in Ammanford, South Wales, says: “Most people dread PPI calls, but without our payout we couldn’t have afforded IVF. Although both Phillip and I worked full-time, we didn’t have that kind of money.

“I’m so grateful to be a mum. Sometimes people think she’s our granddaughter and look stunned when we tell them the truth!”

Baker Alison met civil servant Phillip when she was 22, but they decided to concentrate on their careers before trying for a family. They finally felt ready 12 years on when Alison was 34.

They tried for six years, but only went for tests to find out why they couldn’t conceive when Alison was 40 because they’d previously assumed it would eventually happen. Doctors said there were no medical issues, and they were refused IVF on the NHS because of their age.

Alison says: “I became desperate. All my friends had families and, every time I saw them with their children, I felt like a failure. We considered IVF but didn’t have enough money so, sadly, we had to abandon the idea.”

Then, in 2012, the couple received £2,000 compensation for being mis-sold PPI, an insurance previously sold alongside loans to ensure payments are kept up.

Alison’s payout, plus their £4,000 of savings, meant they could finally afford IVF.

HEARTBREAK

Alison started the £6,000 treatment in 2013 aged 46, and had five eggs extracted and fertilised. The first attempt failed, but they were able to try again using their four remaining embryos, costing £1,000 per cycle, which they saved for gradually.

Alison fell pregnant on her third round – but tragically lost the baby at eight weeks.

They decided to try once more and, in October 2015, Alison fell pregnant with Megan aged 50.

She explains: “I was terrified of losing another baby, but the pregnancy was perfect until two weeks before my due date, when I needed to be induced – doctors prefer to induce older mums early to avoid complications.”

Despite Alison’s reduced chances of carrying a baby to term due to her age, Megan was born last June, and the couple are relishing family life. Phillip has taken early retirement and Alison will bake from home.

“Megan is perfect,” says Alison. “I don’t have much in common with other mums and I sometimes struggle to keep up with her. But I think my age has made me more patient and understanding.”

Alison is enjoying being a parent so much that she and Phillip are planning to use their final embryo to try for another baby this summer. They’ll pay for the treatment using savings.

She says: “We’d love another baby. Being an older mum doesn’t come without its risks – but I love every minute.”

❛We had to abandon the Idea of Ivf because there Wasn’t enough money❜