A mother who went through the agony of 18 miscarriages to have the family she was desperate for has finally given birth to her second son – after a decade of trying.
Debra Cowgill, 33, had suffered two miscarriages while trying for her eldest son, Corey, now 10, with husband Darren, 40.
And although the couple, from Earby, Lancashire, were delighted to welcome their son, they always dreamed of having a sibling for him.
The couple suffered a heartbreaking 16 miscarriages over the next ten years – but never gave up on their dream, after Corey would beg his parents for a younger sibling.
Now, their family is complete following the birth of their miracle baby son, Taylor-Ray, three weeks ago.
Debra and Darren Cowgill had been trying for ten years to have a younger sibling for their first ‘miracle’ son, Corey
Mrs Cowgill said: ‘It was always so difficult going back into the same room, every pregnancy, for a scan every time to be told there was no heartbeat time and time again.
‘But I never gave up hope and was so positive about this pregnancy. Corey started to cry when we told him I was pregnant this time around.
‘He would ask every day about having a brother or sister and I think it was him that kept us both going through the hard times.
‘It was for him just as much as us, he even came along to the scans with us.
‘He is great with his little brother and almost like the third parent, we don’t get a look in, he takes him into his bedroom to watch Liverpool play football too.
Mrs Cowgill tells how ‘it was always so difficult’ going to the doctor’s office to find out she had miscarried again, but she never gave up hope
Corey, 10, is great with Taylor-Ray, his mother says, and watches Liverpool play football on TV with him
‘The only thing we can’t get him to do is to change a nappy!’
The couple began trying for children when Mrs Cowgill was 19, back in 2004, and the couple were both devastated by their first two miscarriages.
She then went on to have baby Corey, weighing a healthy 7lb 14oz, but after several more miscarriages, doctors began to do tests and scans to work out why Mrs Cowgill was struggling to carry a baby to full term.
The longest she carried a baby for before miscarriage was 15 weeks.
Doctors could find no medical reason for Mrs Cowgill’s miscarriages, but her husband was worried about the physical and mental effects they might have on his wife
Doctors found no medical reason for the miscarriages and no medical risk to stop Mrs Cowgill from continuing to try for children.
She remained positive after having a dilation and curettage procedure earlier this year, because the procedure can increase the chances of giving birth.
During the procedure the lining of the womb is scraped to remove any abnormal tissue from the womb.
Mrs Cowgill said: ‘IVF would have been a waste of money as we had no problem conceiving.
Mr and Mrs Cowgill told their son Corey they were trying to have another baby and say he cried when he found out he would get a baby brother
‘My husband suggested surrogacy but it was never an option for me – I don’t think I would have been able to do it.
‘It became harder with each miscarriage but I never thought I would stop, I think carrying on helped me to deal with the loss.
‘The longest I waited was a year before having Taylor as I didn’t want to rush it.
‘Darren was really concerned about the physical and mental effects the miscarriages could have on me but I never doubted that it wouldn’t happen.
‘We were always really open with Corey and told him the truth as it was important for him to see that we weren’t giving up and that these things happen, they are no one’s fault.
‘I come from a family of seven and always loved having my brothers and sisters around. I wanted that for Corey too.
Mrs Cowgill went on to have baby Taylor Ray, weighing 6lb4oz, on May 2, at Burnley General Hospital, after she was induced at 37 weeks.
Mrs Cowgill, who works for a hairdressing wholesalers and her husband, who works for a bed company, were overjoyed with their ‘second miracle baby’ and big brother Corey, was ecstatic to welcome Taylor into the family.
She said: ‘Feeling the baby kick for the first time was so reassuring, it made me believe it was actually happening, and hearing his heartbeat at 14 weeks, was so very emotional.’
Mrs Cowgill had two miscarriages while trying for her first child, Corey, and suffered another ten years of disappointing attempts to get pregnant after he was born
‘When the Taylor was born we got Corey there straight away so he could be the first one to meet him. We were all ecstatic.’
‘I had a huge amount of support from the hospital staff who allowed me to have a scan whenever I felt that something might be wrong, they were amazing.
‘We never regret that we kept trying because things happen for a reason and now we have the perfect family.’