A HEREFORD couple are looking forward to Christmas Day with their much longed for little girl, who was the best present they could have wished for last year.

Imogen Norman was an unexpected arrival as she was born five weeks early last Christmas Day at 3.37pm.

And she was an extra special present for her parents, Amy and Gavin, who had been trying for a baby for four years before resorting to IVF.

It was on their third attempt that Amy became pregnant with Imogen, but with the due date five weeks away they did not expect a Christmas baby.

Gavin, 37, said: “Amy was not due for another five weeks and our family had rented a cottage over Christmas, so we thought it would be safe.

“We were in Glastonbury 12 hours, and then Amy’s waters broke and it was straight to Musgrove [Park Hospital in Taunton].

“The staff were amazing. She clearly couldn’t wait until next Christmas and we had a second Christmas Day to open the gifts we didn’t get to open.

“Imogen was the perfect present and she’s just perfect in every way.”

Amy, 33, a school nurse assistant and Gavin, a company director went to Midland Fertility, Tamworth in 2012 after four years of trying for a baby.

They were told a type of IVF treatment called ICSI would give them their best chance of a pregnancy.

The couple were eligible for one cycle of NHS funded treatment but although Amy became pregnant, she sadly miscarried early in her pregnancy.

Amy said: “It was a devastating time but we had much support from the clinical team and the counsellor at Midland Fertility. We were really pleased that they took the time to check how Gavin was coping with the miscarriage as well as me."

They went ahead with a second privately-funded treatment cycle but it resulted in a negative pregnancy test.

Before trying again, Amy lost weight which in turn helped to control her diabetes. After a holiday they returned to Midland Fertility for a third cycle, which is when Amy became pregnant with Imogen.

Today, Amy and Gavin will be joined at the dinner table by their daughter and this year the family are looking forward to eating their Christmas pudding together.