A Glasgow woman has welcomed a miracle baby into the world after doctors told her she was infertile and in the early stages of menopause.
Chelsea Bannatyne was given the devastating news at just 23 - but defied the odds when her baby boy, Layke was born in June last year, the Daily Record reports.
Chelsea, now 28, says doctors were gobsmacked when they discovered she had fallen pregnant naturally as they thought it was impossible for her – and it was just as much of a surprise for Chelsea and her partner Gary Kerr, 24.
Eyelash technician Chelsea said: "When I found out I was infertile I was in a really bad place.
"My heart ached for the future. I felt like I lost my purpose as a woman, and I didn't know how anyone would want to be with someone that wouldn't be able to give them a family.
"I'd given up all hope - so I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the two lines on the positive pregnancy test.
"When I was in my early twenties, I was having irregular periods and started to feel really anxious. It was like my body was telling me that something wasn't right.
"I was having a chat with my friends who had easily fallen pregnant with their partners after forgetting their pill or even while on contraception.
"I could think of loads of times when I'd forgotten my pill, but I'd never fallen pregnant and it suddenly dawned on me how easy it was for my friends to get pregnant.
"I hadn't been trying for a baby, but it was playing on my mind so I went to the doctors."
Chelsea underwent multiple checks to get to the bottom of the problem, but the results were inconclusive.
She was referred to a fertility specialist, where her results revealed her fears.
The mum-of-one said: "The fact that I was told I couldn't have kids just made me want to be a mum even more.
"I had low oestrogen levels, so I was on HRT. I became obsessed with trying to fall pregnant, I was taking all sorts of tablets from shops that were supposed to help you fall pregnant.
"I was fixated with taking pregnancy tests to check if I was successful, but they were negative every time - and I was due to start IVF treatment until I broke up with my boyfriend at the time.
"During the lockdown of summer 2020, I'd completely given up. I decided to stop thinking about it for a while and enjoy my life.
"I was still young, so I decided I would focus on travelling and making amazing memories. I met my partner, Gary, and I told him straight away about my struggles.
"We weren't using any contraception as I thought I couldn't fall pregnant."
On Halloween 2020 and after being together for around five months, Chelsea recalls having an urge to avoid alcohol.
She had a pregnancy test at home and couldn't resist the temptation of taking it.
Chelsea said: "I have no idea why I took that test. I just had a weird feeling inside of me.
"I didn't tell Gary I was doing it because I wasn't expecting it to be positive.
"He was downstairs watching television while I was in the bathroom. When it came back positive I burst into tears. I was crying so much that it actually made me vomit.
"Gary came up to check on me as we were supposed to be going to the cinema, and my make-up was streaming down my face from the tears.
"His face went grey as the colour drained from his face when I told him.
"We were both in total shock. I didn't believe it was real until I saw the baby on the screen and heard the heartbeat."
Chelsea and Gary raced around supermarkets for more pregnancy tests to check the results were right.
She says they hardly spoke to each other for 48 hours because they were in so much shock.
Chelsea added: "I contacted the hospital and asked to be seen. I told to come in for an early scan because of my problems and they confirmed that I was eight weeks and five days pregnant.
"I'd not been on any contraception for four years and nothing had happened. I couldn't believe it.
"I was terrified because I was not prepared for this moment. The doctors eventually said that I have premature temporary menopause. It's almost as if it comes and goes.
"They still don't 100 per cent understand it, which worries me for being able to have kids in the future.
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"My pregnancy went well and on June 22, 2021 - after an 18-hour labour - I gave birth to our son, Layke.
"I believe that everything happens for a reason.
"My life has totally changed and my world revolves around my son.
"He's an amazing baby and got such a great little character.
"Layke is our miracle. I just can't believe he is here, after accepting the fact I'd never be able to have a baby naturally."
