Monday, 6 November 2006

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Gabby Logan: My secret IVF joy

TV presenter kept her fertility treatment under wraps

When Gabby Logan, 33, and her husband ex-Scotland rugby layer Kenny decided to opt for IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) treatment, they made a pact not to tell a soul.

After trying for a baby for three years the couple gave nature a helping hand with fertility drugs, but kept it from their close friends and family – even Gabby’s mum.

And their secret plans paid off as the ITV sports presenter had twins Reuben McKerrow and Lois Maya in July 2005.

You take it for granted you'll fall pregnant

‘It was so emotional when I found out I was pregnant since I’d never experienced a positive test before, but I was also very guarded as I didn’t want to count my chickens,’ says Gabby.

‘When we found out it was twins, it was the most unbelievable feeling.’

Like most couples, Gaby and Kenny never expected to encounter problems starting a family after their wedding in 2001.

‘You take it for granted that you’ll fall pregnant straight away and- we certainly did. When I stopped using contraceptives I thought it would happen within a couple of weeks.

I was 28, very fit and didn’t think there’d be any reason I wouldn’t get pregnant immediately.

‘But when you sit down and think about it, the window of opportunity to get pregnant is crazy. It makes me laugh when people say they know when they conceived as they must be the type of couple who only have sex once a year,’ she laughs.

The pair both underwent extensive tests before they discovered that there was no explanation why they couldn’t conceive naturally.

I didn't even tell my mum

‘It was mystifying as there was nothing wrong with ether of us. We’re not the first couple to undergo treatment and we certainly won’t be the last. We are just glad we ad the opportunity to do it.’

Their decision to remain tight lipped about their plans brought them closer as a couple. Gabby admits:’ A lot of my friends wouldn’t understand and it’s something you only look into if you need to.

‘I didn’t even tell my mum and we’re really close, but it was very much something between Kenny and myself. The treatment wasn’t a strain on us because we’re very good friends, lovers and soul mates.’

The blue line on the pregnancy test just months later was a blessing for both of them. Gabby began excitedly looking forward to the birth of her twins in last summer.

I decided to take care of my figure

Then morning sickness started to take its toll on the star. ‘I felt nauseous for 14 weeks and couldn’t eat in the evenings,' she recalls.

‘Then I started getting headaches and heartburn. It was a constant rollercoaster- as soon as one thing stopped I'd get something else.’

But fitness fanatic Gabby resisted the temptation to pig out and actively exercised through her pregnancy.

‘I practised yoga, swam and often went on power walks,' she says.

‘It got so exhausting that I couldn’t even go up a flight of stairs without being out of breath. But I decided to take care of my figure then so it'd be less work when the twins were born.’

‘I always said I’d love four kids, but I’m so grateful to have these two. I’ll have to wait and see how we get on.’

Selina Julien